I told myself not to buy this watch, but I did anyway! >>>
May 1, 2015 15:51:54 GMT -8
dasher, docmac88, and 1 more like this
Post by Thomas on May 1, 2015 15:51:54 GMT -8
Hmph!
I wasn't drinking, in fact I was at work when the auction for this watch was about to end. It is gold plated, which is not my favorite finish, and not in the best condition, yet I knew it would go for some good money because of the model. Yet I placed a bid, and here is the EMS bag from Japan!!
Ahh, the grocery bag! We should know who this is from now.
The local newspaper, of course.
And the bagged, bubble-wrapped bundle inside that.
Looks like a watch to me!
Well, there it is. It is a 1969 Grand Seiko 4520-8000, with the 4520A Kameido factory, hand-winding, 25 jewel, 36000 bph movement. A historically significant watch with a nicely sculpted case and good looking, long hands and chiseled hour markers.
Up close thought you can see the unevenly stained dial, and some of the scratches on the case. Not too, too bad, but when combined with the gold finish, I had told myself to be patient and wait for a better (stainless steel) example.
We see how well that worked out!
Here is a shot of the always appealing GS crown.
A picture of the other/plain/case/common/subject side.
And a look at the case-back, which is in very good condition.
I think the strap may have been the original, it is *really* old, and of course I tore it a bit trying to pry the spring-pins out.
Doh!And here it is with a smooth brown leather strap, and I also put a nice polished gold-plated deployant from DeBeers on it as well. The color seems to be a good match, and I could argue the smooth strap keeps the focus on the elegant watch, instead of the fancy strap!
It wound up very smoothly, set without any "hand jump" and seems to run okay, with the super smooth second hand from the 36,000 bph movement. I guess I'll have to wear it for a few days too, you know, to check out it's power reserve and accuracy!
Sigh... I'll just have to get used to it, eh?
Thanks for peeking in, I hope you enjoyed the pictures! - Thomas
