Post by Rod on Nov 16, 2014 4:20:59 GMT -8
OK I have a soft spot for these Olympic Games inspired models and have a few that will always be in my collection.
This is just an assessment of a watch for sale.
I am always on the lookout for the more unusual variations of the 5717/9 and the Asian Games case back is one such variations (Jakarta 1962, Bangkok 1964) It is unknown why Seiko manufactured these in 1964, but they did and the general consensus is that there would have been many visitors from Asia in Tokyo and…well….why miss out on a marketing opportunity.
Unfortunately the majority were sold in the Asia market (Bangkok 1966) and as such have succumbed to the usual heat/humidity/dodgy repair that infested the region in years gone past.
An Asian Games 5717 has surfaced on the bay and i was initially interested as it displayed all the signs of a well loved watch, but alas it has been through the rather below standard hands of a few "watchmockers makers". The seller has listed the watch at a very reasonable price far below the true value, so it will be the blind few that push the price beyond it's true value.
I'm not trying to mock the seller or tarnish him in any way, I would like to show why i wouldn't buy this watch and what makes it unwearable.
These 5717/9 cases use the snap case back which relies on case back tension; a good seal from the gasket; and the mating surfaces being in sound condition, to maintain any form of water proofing. I believe that these were only rated at 50M by Seiko so any issues will render the watch suspect.
Firstly, the case back, these are generally in sound condition and can be restored to bring back their former beauty.
Note the multitude of amateur attempts to remove the case back, first warning.
Secondly the movement, corrosion on the movement is always a bad sign, but taking it further you can see what has caused the corrosion.
"A" is filiform corrosion and is caused when moisture gets under a surface layer (paint etc) and in this case is caused by humidity not water contact. As water contact would have formed surface corrosion before filiform corrosion occurred.
"B" (case corrosion) is inter-granular corrosion, this is created when moisture enters the grain of the Stainless Steel and travels along the gran boundaries creating a perfect environment for corrosion. This corrosion on the watch is the result of poor servicing. We all need to take a lesion here, send the "precious" for a through case clean every now and then….or what is ever recommended by a professional
So how did the moisture get in? The usual suspects are most likely the cause and you would be forgiven in thinking that, the hidden demon is the case back crack! As these case backs are held on by tension, a nick in the outer edge will lead to a crack forming and growing until the tension is released. At this point the case will never be at all moisture resistant.
The crack, almost hidden by placing the gasket over the mating surface!! Bad seller, also trying to hide the corrosion on the mating surface
The dial looks great at first glance and as it has no lume the tell tail sign of moisture is hard to see, but, if you look close you will notice; the "Diashock 21 Jewels" is missing part of the letters; the date window is corroded and the date disc is badly effected.
The sweep hand is incorrect and should be a thin stainless steel hand (See Google)
The case is in reasonable condition and i would replace the pusher. So what would i pay? $200-$250 as an example of an Asian games watch. Would i wear it? No and as i wear all my watches, I'll pass on this one.
Happy hunting
Rod
This is just an assessment of a watch for sale.
I am always on the lookout for the more unusual variations of the 5717/9 and the Asian Games case back is one such variations (Jakarta 1962, Bangkok 1964) It is unknown why Seiko manufactured these in 1964, but they did and the general consensus is that there would have been many visitors from Asia in Tokyo and…well….why miss out on a marketing opportunity.
Unfortunately the majority were sold in the Asia market (Bangkok 1966) and as such have succumbed to the usual heat/humidity/dodgy repair that infested the region in years gone past.
An Asian Games 5717 has surfaced on the bay and i was initially interested as it displayed all the signs of a well loved watch, but alas it has been through the rather below standard hands of a few "watch
I'm not trying to mock the seller or tarnish him in any way, I would like to show why i wouldn't buy this watch and what makes it unwearable.
These 5717/9 cases use the snap case back which relies on case back tension; a good seal from the gasket; and the mating surfaces being in sound condition, to maintain any form of water proofing. I believe that these were only rated at 50M by Seiko so any issues will render the watch suspect.
Firstly, the case back, these are generally in sound condition and can be restored to bring back their former beauty.
Note the multitude of amateur attempts to remove the case back, first warning.
Secondly the movement, corrosion on the movement is always a bad sign, but taking it further you can see what has caused the corrosion.
"A" is filiform corrosion and is caused when moisture gets under a surface layer (paint etc) and in this case is caused by humidity not water contact. As water contact would have formed surface corrosion before filiform corrosion occurred.
"B" (case corrosion) is inter-granular corrosion, this is created when moisture enters the grain of the Stainless Steel and travels along the gran boundaries creating a perfect environment for corrosion. This corrosion on the watch is the result of poor servicing. We all need to take a lesion here, send the "precious" for a through case clean every now and then….or what is ever recommended by a professional
So how did the moisture get in? The usual suspects are most likely the cause and you would be forgiven in thinking that, the hidden demon is the case back crack! As these case backs are held on by tension, a nick in the outer edge will lead to a crack forming and growing until the tension is released. At this point the case will never be at all moisture resistant.
The crack, almost hidden by placing the gasket over the mating surface!! Bad seller, also trying to hide the corrosion on the mating surface
The dial looks great at first glance and as it has no lume the tell tail sign of moisture is hard to see, but, if you look close you will notice; the "Diashock 21 Jewels" is missing part of the letters; the date window is corroded and the date disc is badly effected.
The sweep hand is incorrect and should be a thin stainless steel hand (See Google)
The case is in reasonable condition and i would replace the pusher. So what would i pay? $200-$250 as an example of an Asian games watch. Would i wear it? No and as i wear all my watches, I'll pass on this one.
Happy hunting
Rod
. Cheers Y
