Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2013 6:26:57 GMT -8
Well, I snagged a project the other day....I previously owned a 6138-0017 Yachtsman and spent a ton of time restoring it only to sell it off for some unknown reason. Trying to rebuild a former collection isn't the easiest on a slim budget as most of my free cash is currently tied up in my home restoration/improvement projects this summer. I'm hoping this little project will be an easy straight forward restoration......but, I just know that I'll endure at least some level of frustration during the process.
Here's a couple seller photos....It's due to arrive later this week, so fingers crossed that it will be as nice as my last one when I'm finished with it.
First...my previous Yachtsman......the one that I should've never let go.
And....this is hopefully going to help replace it. As a side note the above 6138 Yachtsman actually looked worst than this example when I started the restoration last year.
Stay tuned for updates...
Shawn
As Promised..... Ok Gents....time for a quick project update.
The watch arrived on wednesday and I found some time the other night to dig into it. The watch was sold as a non-running project, when I opened the case the movement appeared very clean and the balance swung smoothly.
Further observation indicated that both pushers were completely compressed in and wouldn't budge. A little unusual, but old pusher gaskets are know to stick when age hardness sets in. I looked a little further and discovered that the top chronograph pusher had been pressed in with such force that it was wedged under the movement's chronograph start/stop lever and had subsequently locked up the movement. A little teasing to free the pusher resulted in the movement springing to life immeadiately.
I observed the watch for a full 24 hours and the watch runs strong with high amplitude. time keeping is almost spot on having gained just 10 seconds over the 24 hr period.....not bad for a parts watch in my book
The original dial and hands are in excellent condition, however the lume is a tad dirty so I'm hopefully going to have it relumed soon
With a running movement off my list I disassembled the case completely for a restoration effort. Suffice to say it was nasty externally with a hard cast combination of old dirt and DNA mixed and crammed into every gap/crack in the case. The original bracelet was surprisingly intact with all links accounted for. When I dropped the bracelet into the ultrasonic cleaner a brown plum that would surely gag a magot emerged in the solution....Eeeewww. I ran the clean cycle a further 6 times to completely clean the bracelet. the case took equally as long to clean and then my true work began.
The case had heavy use/wear so there were a few unsightly dings/marks to content with. This was obviously the original owner's only watch and it displayed the evidence of daily wear in the form of it's battle scars.
I'll skip over my refinishing methods for the sake of time and writting space but here are the post cleanup photos. I've installed a full gasket set, but had forgotten to source a new crystal which is now inbound. for the time being I installed another old crystal that was in a little better condition.
The next step will be to source a new bezel and hopefully the reluming of the dial & hands. It's wearable at the moment and I've enjoyed adding a 6138 Yachtsman back into my box.
More to come
OK, Gang!! time for the final project update.
I managed to source a NOS bezel / insert assembly which made all the difference. With the case work completely finished it was time to pass the project off to Spencer to handle some internal work. The watch ran well, but I opted to have a full service performed. Spencer tore the movement down to the mainplate and rebuilt the entire movement from the ground up. it runs absolutely smooth as butter now. While the watch was stripped for a service, Spencer relumed the original dial and hand set. the results are amazing, the lume looks both in color and in texture completely identical to seiko factory lume of that era.
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Post by kingrat on Jul 8, 2013 6:45:24 GMT -8
See I would take a watch like the one in your first pic and try and make it look like the heap of crap in the second pic. You on the other hand are doing things the other way around? Weird Oh we'll good luck with it. ;-)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2013 6:49:18 GMT -8
See I would take a watch like the one in your first pic and try and make it look like the heap of crap in the second pic. You on the other hand are doing things the other way around? Weird Oh we'll good luck with it. ;-) Chris.....you're a scary person to know...
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Post by seikoholic on Jul 8, 2013 6:52:26 GMT -8
not to rub it in but I really wondered why you sold that Yachtman we restored - that was a nice watch. But we can do it again. I bet this new one will be kick-ass.
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Post by kingrat on Jul 8, 2013 6:55:18 GMT -8
In all serious ness guys that watch is very HOT indeed:-)
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Post by 69ChevelleSS on Jul 8, 2013 7:17:01 GMT -8
I'd be willing to bet a cold one that the watch will look great under that hacked up crystal. Should look great once you guys get done with it. Great looking watch.
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Post by Groundhog66 on Jul 8, 2013 7:37:58 GMT -8
Can't wait to see the after pics, they will no doubt be fantastic. I have been looking for one of these for quite some time now, but to no avail. Since I am not as skilled as you guys, I have to look for one in premium condition. popcorn
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donciccio
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Post by donciccio on Jul 8, 2013 11:36:30 GMT -8
Part of the game. I've sold off watches that I've restored only to buy a replacement a little while down the road. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to the process. thunbsup.gif
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Post by lordflagpolecrabtree on Jul 8, 2013 12:21:26 GMT -8
You're right, you shouldn't have sold it, It's goooooooorgeeous. I can't wait to see the finished job on the new one.
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Post by jcnix55 on Jul 8, 2013 17:40:27 GMT -8
How in the heck do people manage to torture their watches to that degree, I mean, I understand a scratch here and there, but dang. There is nothing legible on that dial. And somehow(albeit due to the domed crystal) the tachymeter bezel has come away comparably clean.
In any event, I am certain that you can bring this one back from the dead as you have done before! And you've got the original bracelet! woohoo!
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sdoocms
Is a Permanent Fixture
Carl
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Post by sdoocms on Jul 8, 2013 17:53:53 GMT -8
Head ache you say? I'll bet a cold drink of your choice that you can't wait to get started! yes1.gif
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Post by pollythecat on Jul 9, 2013 4:23:47 GMT -8
The refurbishment process should be therapeutic Shawn. Looks to have a lot of potential beneath the slightly scratched crystal, it will be a good as the one you sold.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2013 4:29:02 GMT -8
Thanks Mike
I have high hopes for this one....it has potential but as usuall I also plan for the worst case scenerio. You never really know what you have until it arrives and disassembly takes place.
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martog
WIS
“I want to know how watches can hold all the time in the world using only two hands.” ― Jarod Kintz
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Post by martog on Jul 9, 2013 4:39:45 GMT -8
Part of the game. I've sold off watches that I've restored only to buy a replacement a little while down the road. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to the process. thunbsup.gif Crap I've done this more than a few times but lesson learnt now there not going anywhere. Cheers Mark
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2013 11:57:04 GMT -8
Project Arrival and Update (with photos) in the original post at the top of the page
Cheers Shawn
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Post by Groundhog66 on Jul 12, 2013 12:37:44 GMT -8
That looks like a fantastic acquisition, very nice indeed! cheering-clapping-smiley-emoticon
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Post by 69ChevelleSS on Jul 14, 2013 13:33:05 GMT -8
Thanks for the update Shawn . . . looks a beauty under the crystal. Congrats on a lovely acquisition. Can't wait to see her in all her finished glory.
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HiBeat
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SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
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Post by HiBeat on Jul 14, 2013 16:08:38 GMT -8
Awesome work. This is the most fun part of vintage Seiko collecting for me - the resto and rebirth of someone's torture to a great watch.
Fabulous time keeper, and a quality (non-folded) bracelet to boot (massive stretch but that can make it oh so comfy in many instances)
WELL DONE SIR.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2013 9:55:07 GMT -8
bumped to the top with a final project update and photo
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Post by Groundhog66 on Aug 9, 2013 10:10:02 GMT -8
Holy cow!
What an amazing transformation, you guys know how it's done!
cheering-clapping-smiley-emoticon
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