Bund straps on 60s Seikos

 I have been alternating these two classic 60s Seikos all week, and the Bund straps I have them on really increases their contemporary wearability to the extent that they are becoming a permanet part of my rotation. If you have classics which wear a bit smaller than you would prefer, it may be worth your while to consider these straps.

Seiko vintage content interview (ahem ;-) on Danish lifestyle blog ...

... which can be seen at http://my-pleasure.dk/2012/10/en-laeser-og-hans-passion-for-vintage-seiko-ure/ (choose "English" or "Engelsk" from the Google Translate drop down box to the right of the interview - please consider clicking some of the "like" buttons to let them know you've been there

Er der noget som en god historie? Næppe. Dagen i dag omhandler en god historie – Harry er glad for Seiko, og i dag gør han os særdeles meget klogere på netop det brand, der også rummer gode historier. Take it away, Harry!

Harry med sin far engang i 70erne. Faderens gamle Altus kan ses på hans arm… og i Harrys samling!

Harald – du er glad for ure, og Seiko i særdeleshed. Hvor stammer interessen fra?

- Min interesse stammer formodentligt fra min opvækst i 60′erne og 70′erne, hvor de fleste mænd gik i habit, og hvor en mands ur spillede en vigtigere rolle, end det gør i dag. Jeg husker især min fars ur, og hvordan det var med til at definere mit billede af ham.

Hvilket ur, var dit første Seiko – og hvor fandt du det?

- Min første Seiko var sjovt nok et af de helt store “grails” indenfor vintage Seiko ure: Seiko’s første dykkeur, cal. 6217 fra 1967, som jeg “fandt” for cirka otte år siden. Allerede som knægt havde jeg set mig lunt på ”seje” dykkerure med drejeskiver, men livet kom lidt i vejen, så det var først omkring min 40 års fødselsdag, at jeg begyndte at sætte mig ind i verdenen af dykkerure. Jeg begyndte at følge lidt med i diverse urfora på internettet, og især Rolex samt Seiko & Citizen fora virkede livligt med mange diskussioner omkring især dykkerure fra 70′erne og 80′erne. Der kom også nogle indslag om Seikos første dykkerur, som allerede dengang blev betragtet som en “grail”, og som også kostede væsentligt mere end de senere modeller – derfor var det ur lige så langt udenfor min rækkevide som, Rolex var.

På dette tidspunkt var min ur-interesse vækket, og en dag bladrede jeg igennem Den Blå Avis, hvor jeg faldt over en gut i Thisted, som samlede lommeure, og som havde nogle ældre armbåndsure, han ville bytte med. Jeg ringede og spurgte, om han eventuelt havde nogle dykkerure. Det mente han ikke, men han endte med at rode nogle skuffer igennem…. og fandt “et Seiko med en delfin på bagkassen”, som jeg kunne genkende som intet mindre end en cal. 6217! Heldigvis havde jeg et Omega lommeur fra 1934, jeg kunne bytte med, og derved blev en passion født! Hele historien kan læses her <–

Seiko’s første dykkerur – kaliber 6217 – i gang med en restauration.

Hvad rummer din ursamling i dag – Seiko såvel som andre brands?

- Jeg forsøger at holde et tema i samlingen, så det er kun Seiko, primært fra 1964 (mit fødselsår – på et eller andet måde er man da nødt til at begrænse sig) … og så min fars Altus fra 60′erne, som han købte lige omkring jeg blev født, og som dengang var indbegrebet af “at være voksen” igennem hele min barndom. Han mente selv – til min store ærgrelse – at have smidt den ud for mange år siden, men fandt den forleden og spurgte, om jeg stadigvæk vil have den… Jeg havde glædeligt byttet hele min samling for at få det ur!

At jeg netop vælger 1964 er – udeover det er mit fødselsår – ikke helt tilfældigt. I 1964 fik Seiko tildelt ansvaret for tidtagningen under Tokyo Olympiaden, og Seiko fik mulighed for at vise, hvad de kunne. Nogle af deres mest spændende, sjældne og innovative ure kommer derfor fra denne periode. Dertil kommer, at Seikos design fra midt i tresserne er sublimt – måske noget af det bedste design, der nogensinde er lavet.

1964 Grand Seiko Chronometer med 1964 Parker blyant.

Samtidigt begynder Seiko at deltage i det prestigefyldte Astronomical Observatory Chronometer Concours i Neuchatel, og i 1968 er Seiko ved at “rydde bordet”. For mig kulminere det hele i Grand Seiko kaliber 43999 med kronometer certificering i 1964 – i mine øjne det smukkeste Seiko har præsteret i det mekaniske urs mest spændende årti. Jeg har forsøgt at opsamle min indtryk af tiden i min blog på linket her <–

1964 Grand Seiko Chronometer med speciallavet ”display” bagkasse (original bagkasse er bevaret!)

Udover Grand Seiko og de flotte og elegant Seikomatic fra 1964 har jeg også et Seiko Olypmpic One-button chronograph samt et Olympisk stopur i min samling og selvfølgeligt også et Seiko Olympiad vækkeur!

Lidt af hvert fra Seiko i 1964!

Desuden inkluderer min samling nogle historiske Seiko dykkerure: Blandt andet de tre første – og måske mest ikoniske – dykkerure, som dækker perioden 1965 til ca 1980: kaliber 6217, 6105 og 6309. Især de sidste to ure så man over hele kloden på armen af “arbejdende” dykkere som formodentligt de mest anvendte og respekterede dykkerure i 70′erne og 80′erne.

Familie foto: første generation 62MAS dykkerur (v) tredje generation 6309 dykkerur (m) og forgængeren: Sportsmatic 30m Silverwave (h)

Og i enhver samling hører der mindst eet lommeur til, i mit tilfælde en Seiko 6110-0010 Second Setting Railroad Pocket Watch.

Seiko 6110-0010 Second Setting Railroad lommeur fra 1973

Er der et grail watch fra Seiko, du altid er på jagt efter?

- Egentligt ikke, nej, jeg har allerede mine grails… Det skulle lige være den legendariske kaliber 5718 kronograf som der vistnok kun blev lavet 50 af til Olympiaden i 1964, men den er fuldstændigt uden for min rækkevide. Men man kan altid håbe, der ligger en et sted i en papkasse på et Vestjysk loppemarket… Så mangler jeg også Seiko’s WorldTimer fra 1964 – et ur som kunne vise tiden over hele verden, og som sikkert blev købt af ikke så få atleter og tilskuer under Olympiaden. Den er til at få fat i for fornuftig penge, og den bliver da også købt i løbet af det næste år!

Hvilke kvaliteter fra østen vil du fremhæve i forhold til schweiziske ure?

- Hmm, spørgsmålet kan besvares på mange måder, og jeg mener i dag, at der er meget mindre polarisering mellem Østen og Schweiz end før. Men hvis jeg skulle vejlede nogen i forbindelse med anskaffelse af et vintageur, ville jeg fremhæve især Seikos kvalitet, historie og innovation i forhold til prisen. Mange ser ure fra Østen som billige efterligninger af schweiziske ure, men når man for eksempel forstår, at viserne i en Seiko er designet med bambus-bladene som inspiration og slet ikke er kopier af ”dauphine” visere, når man forstår at polering af f.eks et Grand Seiko foregår med teknikkerne og en tålmodighed, som stammer direkte fra produktion af samurai-sværdene, når man kan se at produktion af værkerne er fuldstændigt in-house og foregår på et niveau, som stammer fra tusind års forventning om absolut perfektion, så begynder man at forstå de elementer, der er med til at gøre de bedste ure fra Østen så specielle.

1964 Grand Seiko Chronometer

Og er der omvendt noget, som Schweiz har, som østen ikke har?

- Absolut! Det ærgrer mig, at især Seiko ikke fremhæver deres historie i deres markedsføring – fra deres opstart i 1881, over deres første armbåndsur så tidligt som 1924, succeser i kronometer konkurrencerne i tresserne, deres Olympiske historie, introduktion af den første automatiske kronograf i 1969 (og den første automatisk kronograf i rummet i 1973), introduktion af det første quartzdrevne armbåndsur ligeledes i 1969 - her er Schweizerne meget bedre til at flette historien i deres ure og på den måde gøre dem mere spændende. Jeg mener, at et god ur skal – ud over det fysiske og funktionelle – være noget man kan fortælle en god historie på mindst 10 minutter om!

Noget gammelt, noget nyt: sol ring kopi fra middelalderen; Seiko’s 7549 dykkerur fra 80erne

Hvilke reaktioner har du fået på din Seiko samling?

- De er altid positive – og overraskelsen er altid stor! Det hænger netop sammen med, at jeg kan krydrer fremvisning af mine ure med en masse informationer, historier og anekdoter – og grundet Seikos serienummerering, kan jeg datere hvert ur til en bestemt måned og år og knytte dem til et historisk begivenhed. Jeg tror folk bliver positivt overrasket, når man kan fortælle om et ellers lidt nørdet passion på en måde, der taler til både hjernen og hjertet. Nogle bliver efterfølgende begejstret for tanken om at kunne have noget på armen, som kan bruges til at igangsætte en samtale, underholde i en forsamling, måle tid og samtidigt forbinde en til en vigtig historisk begivenhed – et fødselsår og -måned, et afgangseksamen, et bryllup – og ender med at købe deres første ”voksen” ur.

Hvad antager folk fejlagtigt om Seiko efter din mening?

- Helt sikkert at der en antagelse om, at Seiko ure er nogle gode ure – men at de ikke er “fine” ure. Hvis jeg presser lidt, har jeg fundet ude af, at et “fint” ur altså er et ur med historie, et ur som man kan fortælle noget spændende om. Og her antager folk altså, at Seiko ure ikke har et langt og spændende historie – og derfor er det virkeligt dejligt, at jeg her kan forsøge at udbrede lidt mere kendskab til dette spændende mærke, samt til begrebet ”at gå med ur”.

Mange tror også et det er svært at restaurere eller vedligeholde ældre Seiko ure grundet mangel på reservedele fra fabrikken. Men Seiko arbejder ude fra “bygge kasse” princippet, og mange dele – og hele værker – kan skaffes for ingen penge på f.eks eBay – fidusen er bare at vide, hvad man skal lede efter!

Seiko 6309 dykkerur som er i gang med at få et hjertetransplantation fra en donor kaliber 6309… operationen lykkedes!

Hvor begynder den store Seiko jagt, hvis man er på jagt efter et gammelt ur?

- Det begynde først med noget research. Der er mange resurser på nettet – netop Seiko samlere er kendt for deres glæde ved at dele viden og erfaringer. Her er det især Seiko and Citizen Watch forum (www.thewatchsite.com) jeg vil fremhæve, og så min egen blog på www.vintageseikoblog.blogspot.com

Man kan med fordel begrænse sin jagt ved at gå efter Seiko fra et bestemt årstal, eller årti – her er Seikos serienummerering som sagt enestående, og man kan finde ure fra et bestemt år og måned. Alternativet kunne være Seikos historiske dykkerure fra perioden 1965 til 80′erne. Her kan alle være med, og man kan opnå en spændende samling for overkommelige penge – men research her er afgørende! Skal man gå efter det ypperste, altså ure som kan måle sig med det, vi betragter som de bedste high-end ure fra Schweiz, så hedder det Grand Seiko (både vintage og moderne) og Credor, men så skal pengepungen altså også være i orden.

Hvad skal enhver mand vide om Seiko ure?

- At Seiko – og især vintage Seiko – giver mere historie, information, kvalitet og oplevelse end de fleste andre mærker. Men i sidste ende gælder det, at man netop med Seiko ikke kan købe sig til oplevelsen. Man er nødt til at lave det nødvendige benarbejde og research – til gengæld er glæden ved at bære et vintage Seiko enormt!

HOW TO BUY SEIKO´S FIRST DIVER - 6217-800x "62MAS"

The following is a Seiko 6217 reference/buyers guide inspired by Isthmus´ HOW TO BUY A SEIKO 6309 DIVER. The content is based my own observations, together with information compiled from the SCWF archives [1]; information and images found on Kevin Chan´s Seiko Diver´s Reference [2], the Seiko Divers Gallery [3], Shawn´s First Diver Heaven [4] and Seiko´s book: "A Journey In Time: The Remarkable Story of Seiko" (2003) [5]; together with valuable feedback from Fermin Saranilla (Fermz), Seikomart and Clayton (Hawk 54). Please feel free to update, correct and append this buyer´s guide – thanks in advance for your contributions!


QUICK REFERENCE

Movement/case: 6217-8000; 6217-8001
Movement: 6217A (62MAS)
Production: 1965-1968
Case size: 37mm (42mm with the crown)
Lug width: 19mm (same as 6105-800x and 6105-811x)
Thickness: 13.5mm
Functions: 150M water proof, bi- directional rotating bezel, date

The 150m water proof 6217 "62MAS" is Seiko (and Japan´s) first true diver, and as such enjoys a position of undisputed horological significance. As Seiko´s first diver it has high collectability in its own right, and is the cornerstone of any significant collection of vintage Seiko divers, be it a collection of 150m divers, shrouded divers or Professional (Prospex) models. In short - the collectability of the 62MAS does not need any further justification – no other Seiko diver can claim to be the first!



Family photo: first generation 62MAS diver (left) third generation 6309 diver (center) and pre-diver Sportsmatic 30m Silverwave (right)

Reflecting the era of its production, the 62MAS is relatively small in comparison to the subsequent legendary line of Seiko divers. Although it is quite scarce, good examples do surface relatively often. Original dials and bezel inserts can be very difficult to find, and command a premium when they do turn up. In contrast to the boldness of subsequent Seiko divers, the first model diver truly reflects the discrete styling of 60´s watches, making it equally at home under a tuxedo, at a business meeting or strapped over a wetsuit in the depths of the ocean!

HERITAGE
During the 1950s and 1960s, sport scuba diving had become increasingly popular. Increasing prosperity coupled with scuba technology developed during WWII gave private divers access to revolutionary equipment – including true divers watches. The advent of modern bezelled dive watches dawned in 1953 with the introduction of the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Paradoxically, until the second half of the 1960s, landlocked Switzerland was the principal producer of dive watches for civilian diving!

Prior to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics (with Seiko as Official Timer), Seiko had introduced its first range of truly submersible sport watches with (internal) rotating countdown bezels( in the form of the Seikomatic 50m Silverwave (1962)and the Sportsmatic 30m Silverwave (1964). These sports divers were the immediate precursors to Seiko (and Japans) first professional diver comprising 150m depth capability, shockproofing, extreme legibility and an external timing bezel,the 62MAS(1965).




1964 Seikomatic 30m Silverwave sports diver (left) with 1967 62MAS first professional diver (right)

Although the 62MAS is relatively discrete in comparison to the subsequent, legendary line of Seiko divers, the 62MAS was at the time considered to be a bold, rather large watch. Shown between the 1964 Seikomatic 30m Silverwave, the 62MAS can be seen to have a more substantial case, larger crown and bolder hands and markers, in accordance with the increased depth rating of the 62MAS.

In order to showcase of its ruggedness, the 62MAS was successfully worn for three months by the 8th Antarctic Wintering Team in 1966:

In 1967, Seiko engineers had developed the technology to build the first 300m divers watch (6215-010), heralding the introduction of Seiko´s high-end professional divers. 

1968 saw the introduction of the second-model 150m divers, the 6105 series, which implemented a number of improvements to the 62MAS including a locking crown, more substantial case including integrated crown guard, improved screw-down caseback design and the replacement of the domed acrylic crystal with Seiko´s proprietary Hardlex crystal.

CASEBACK AND DATING


First model (62MAS) divers have one of two caseback types: dolphin-logo or SEIKO-logo (similar to the later 6105 second model divers). Both caseback types are marked “waterproof”, a designiation which was subsequently prohibited, with later divers using the more correct "water resistant". According to SCWF posts, Tokunaga-san claims the Dolphin case-back mark indicates self-winding water-proof watches. The earlier Seikomatic 50m (1962) and Sportsmatic 30m(1964)sports divers introduced the caseback wave logo, to denote their sports/waterproof nature, and subsequent lines of Seiko divers have sported various permutations of the wave logo, from simple, stylised waves for watches with lower water resistance to more detailed full Tsunami wave logo for the true divers.

             


Dolphin, back and front (left) and non-dolphin back and front caseback (right)

It can be difficult to find a caseback in good condition, as the detailing of the 1960s casebacks is easily polished off through extended use.

Case back numbers include the model identification ie: 6217-8001 or 6217-8000, as well as the 7-digit serial number. I assume that the different model numbers indicate different markets, similar to the 6309 model numbering. Seiko started the 6 digit serial numbering system in 1968, for dating purposes it is relevant to know that the 1st digit is the year, while the 2nd digit is the month: i.e. 72xxxxx indicates the watch was produced in February 1977.

CROWN


The rather massive crown (about the same size as the 6309) gives Seiko´s first model diver a particularly purposeful look, without detracting from the overall symmetry of the watch.

The 62MAS is the only of Seiko´s dive watches not to sport crown guards. The crown does not screw down or lock, and is signed with a Seiko logo. The 150m rating of the 62MAS and its successors is achieved through the judicious use of seals – the later use of screw down and lock mechanisms as well as crown guards do not impart water resistance per se, but rather protect the stem and seals from knocks and snags which might compromise the integrity of the seals.

 


Aftermarket crown(left), original crown (right)

Aftermarket replacement crowns for the 6105-8000/8009 and 6217 are readily available on eBay (Stephen Go, “thewatchworks”). Aftermarket crowns are almost identical to the originals, although the flat Seiko-marked face of the aftermarket crowns appears to be marginally larger than on the originals.

DIAL AND HANDS


The dial has a metallic, coppery sheen, similar to the dial of its Sportsmatic 30m sports/waterproof predecessor and the 6601-8830 Seahorse (see below). In contrast to the trademark batons of earlier Seiko sports dials, Seiko opted for deep, chrome-lined rectangular lume wells – thickness being a factor determining the intensity of the lume.

First model diver (62MAS, left) and second generation 6105-8000 and 6105-8009 divers

These rectangular lume wells were continued for the second model (6105) diver series and were replaced in the third model (6309) series divers by thickly applied lume “dots”. With the advent of newer luminescent technologies, lume thickness appears to have become less of an issue and lume wells have been eliminated or replaced by decorative chrome or white-gold lume borders in high-end watches (interestingly, early 50s and 60s "tool watch" Rolex submariner dials did not use lume borders or wells, making do with simple lume dots similar to those of Seiko´s third model (6309) series divers).

The lume on the NOS original dials and hands I have seen have had a faint green tinge, although I have seen NOS-advertised watches with snow-white lume. I suspect that the lume may lose its green tinge with age, or these dials and hands may have been relumed.




Aftermarket (left) and original (center, right) dials

Original dials are virtually impossible to source, although aftermarket dials are available. Generally, the lume wells of the aftermarket replacements are more symmetrical and evenly made than the original wells, which appear to be rather primitively cast.

The minute and hour hands are simple, bevelled and lumed baton hands, and are the same as those used on the second model (6105) divers as well as a number of other models, including the 7005-8052 70m diver, the 7025 70m Diver and the 6601-8830 Seahorse (which also has a dial remarkably similar to the 6217 diver!)




6601-8830 Seahorse dial and hands (left) and 7005-8052 70m diver dial and hands (right)

Other Seiko models have similar hands that are narrower, or have lume on the minute hand which doesn´t extend to the tip of the hand. The correct hands are bevelled on each edge of the lume, rather than bevelled down the middle of the hands.




Original dial showing correct bevelled hands

The seconds hand with the box lume tip is not the same as that used on the 6105 series divers, but is identical to those of the 7005-8052 and 6601-8830.

BEZEL


The first model diver´s bezel is bi-directional with no "clicks". The bezel insert is narrower than subsequent Seiko diver´s bezels, and the bezel itself is very finely “knurled”. The bezel is a fine example of discrete 60s styling, and its very high quality reminds me of camera lenses and scientific equipment of the same era. Accordingly, the 62MAS lives up to the Seiko name: Seiko is a Japanese word meaning "exquisite".




Original, NOS bezels and inserts


In contrast to bezel inserts on subsequent models, the lume dot is not surrounded by a silver triangle, and there are 4 minute dots on either side of the lume “pip”. “Aftermarket” bezel inserts are typically 6105 or 6309 aftermarket bezels turned on a lathe to fit – subsequently, the tops and bottoms of the numbers have been removed and these bezel inserts are easy to identify.




"Incorrect" (left) and original (right) bezel inserts

At the time of writing this guide (2008), “correct” aftermarket inserts are not available. NOS bezels and inserts do occasionally surface, although the last 6217-8001 bezel I saw on eBay went for several hundred dollars!

STRAP


This subject has been the subject of a number of forum discussions, and it appears that the 62MAS was originally provided with the "tire tread" strap (based on the 1967 Seiko catalogue pictured below) but the waffle strap has been reported on a number of NOS pieces (seen also in Seiko´s book: "A Journey In Time: The Remarkable Story of Seiko" (2003) [5]) and was probably also available during this period.






Waffle type rubber straps



Many 62MAS are seen today on a period "Tropic" strap, and the general consensus is that the “tire-tread”, “waffle” and (to a degree) the “tropic” rubber straps are acceptably original.









Tire Tread strap from original 1967 brochure (left) and period-correct "Tropic" (right)rubber straps


Lug width of the 62MAS is 19mm, and the watch uses original C190FS (OEM SEIKO) fat spring bars. These bars are 2.5mm thick and have 1.00mm ends.







CRYSTAL


The first model (62MAS) divers were fitted with a 31.5mm acrylic crystal, held in place by a metal tension ring. Seiko-branded replacement acrylic crystals marked # 315T01ANS are quite readily available on eBay, and similar Chronostop crystals may also be used (Jose Sotto on eBay).




Replacement crystal (left) and domed original crystal (right)

The crystal is thick and relatively domed, sitting high above the bezel – making the crystal prone to scratching. Fortunately, most scratches on acrylic crystals can easily be buffed out!




MOVEMENT


The first model (62MAS) divers are powered by the 17J 6217A (movement: 62; prefix: 17A; model: 62MAS) date-only automatic movement, beating at a sedate 18000bph (5bps). The movement has a diameter of 28mm and a thickness of 5.3mm. This movement lacks hacking and handwinding capabilities, although the date is quickset. It is the consensus on the SCWF forum that MAS stands for “autoMAtic (MACHIKKU) Selfdater”.




17J 6217A automatic movement

The 6217A movement was produced from 1964 until 1968 at Seiko´s Suwa Plant in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, and was originally used in the 1964 World Time. In order to facilitate the 24hr function, an additional wheel and hand are added to the 6217A movement (subsequently termed MASWT).




Replacement (or upgrade) 24J 6205B automatic movement

The 6217A is a cousin of (and can be replaced/upgraded with) the 24J 6205B movement used in the Seiko Selfdater 6205-8960 of the same period. These movements can be found for under 50USD on eBay.


62MAS IN MODERN CULTURE


In agreement with its discrete appearance, first model (62MAS) divers have kept a relatively low profile in the media. Apart from their publicised participation in the 8th Antarctic wintering Team (1966) Romer Treece (Robert Shaw) wears a Seiko 6217 diver in the movie The Deep (1977).

PRICES


In 1965, Seiko´s first model diver (62MAS) sold for 13,000JPY, approximately half the monthly wage of a Japanese college graduate. By way of comparison, the precursor sport/waterproof 50m Silver Wave 6201B (1960) cost 11,000JPY while its lower-spec successor, the 6601-7990 30m Sportsmatic Silverwave sports diver cost about 8,200JPY in 1964. The Silverwaves today cost about 150 USD, while 62MAS divers typically (2008) sell in excess of 500USD (NOS examples reaching 1500USD or more!). Although the Silverwaves are relatively scarce and historically significantly as precursors to Seiko´s first diver, the 62MAS price development clearly reflects the horological significance of this piece in any Seiko diver collection.

______________________________________________ REFERENCES [1] Seiko and Citizen watch forum. http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440/ [2] Kevin Chan´s Seiko Diver´s Reference.  http://www.makedostudio.com/watches/...ers/index.html [3] Seiko Divers Gallery. http://www.makedostudio.com/watches/...s/gallery/6217 [4] Shawn´s First Model Diver Heaven. http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440...L+DIVER+HEAVEN [5] "A Journey In Time: The Remarkable Story of Seiko" (2003) [6] The stuff WIS legends are made of... http://www.biosciencecommunications.dk/Seiko/6217.html

The stuff WIS legends are made of...

Living in Denmark, vintage Seiko and Citizen dive watches are definitely NOT something you stumble over every day. Should you find one of these watches, it will in 99% of all cases be the commonest model 7S26, and will be ridiculously overpriced as well as underserviced. Here, in the desolate wastes of West Jutland, grail Seiko divers are just not going to happen. Ha!


Day 1.

Coming back from lunch in the canteen last Tuesday, I picked up the Danish equivalent of “The
Tradingpost” to look for motorcycle parts. Browsing the Watches column, I noticed an ad, someone wanting to trade “a jumble of” automatic wristwatches for pocket watches. Mmm. I have a pocket watch that has been lying in my drawer for at least five years.


Called the number, and it is only 50km away – an elderly man with a collection of 800 wristwatches and some 150 pocket watches, as well as a “jumble” lot of automatic watches from the 40s – 70s. Nope, no divers, and so we chatted away for a bit, I agreed to send him the pocket watch on trust, when he suddenly says, “Uhm, well I think I have a big Seiko diver somewhere” (“Big” was said in a condescending way, as others would say “smashed”).
“Would you look?” say I (with a faint quiver). “
Just a second” says he, leaving me to wait in silence. Outside, a plane droned by, and two ants busied themselves scurrying along my window. Time dragged on, then suddenly: “Yes, well, I have it here, there seems to be a fish on the back…”
“Nnnnngh! A dolphin!!?”
“Uh, yes – and a number (time stands still, heartbeat hears clearly) – 6217-8001 SS Waterproof. It seems to be in good shape but isn’t running…” "Well, send it along, I'll have a look"



Day 2

Send the pocket watch, waiting for my parcel. The two ants on my windowpane are now five. Good job there'll be frost next week.



Day 3

This is it – parcel arrived. Unpacking starts:

Ah! Nice packing!

Yes – well, lets get on with it!

Aaah!

Ooooh! Just LOOK at that genuine bezel insert!

Wow! Very minor buffs, one or two minor scratches on the highly domed acrylic crystal. Lumes brightly for 60 seconds and then dies – some of the lume has disappeared off the minute hand, and is nowhere to be seen. Dial clean and virginal. Wrong strap. Very few indications of wear, most of which have probably come from sitting in a drawer…

Original crystal and crown – the fine-toothed bezel is bidirectional, no clicking and so very sixties.

Caseback in great shape, opening indentations pristine, serial number identifies this as a ´67
model, man, I was like three years old when this watch was made. HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY!!!

OK, lets get dirty here – movement seems clean, check out the detailing on the rotor! Some wear
on the screws, somebody has been here before us! Check out the scratches on what I think is the main spring barrel. Anybody care to diagnose the reason for the stoppage? Date and hands set fine via the crown, so no blockage of the gear train apparent. Rotor turns 360 but "hangs" a bit – perhaps because the spring is wound fully- perhaps I should try unwinding the main spring. Balance turns to and fro a few times and then stops. I need to look at this under the stereo microscope at work, for hair on the balance spring etc., any pointers would be welcome.



Sooo – what to do!? I have an original Grail which could be running quite easily, I think (at the
worst, a replacement movement from a ´64 - 68 Worldtimer?) Do I keep it or trade it? If I trade it, it would probably be for a restored original 6309, I have two and cannot get enough of them. Or a
´64 black dial Worldtimer. Or a ´64 black dial SS Omega Seamaster. If I keep it, and I probably will(I would really like a diver from ´64 but this 62MAS is just so sixties so I am really tempted to keep it and use it as a "dress" watch for meetings at work, business trips etc. So I would have to get another strap, and a Bond as well as a black NATO appeal to me right now, as I could change the
straps at whim, and the Bond NATO is as Sean Connery as you can get!
Blasphemy? Let me know! Should this watch go to someone else, so I can increase my 6309 collection…I KNOW I will NEVER see one like this again, though. Well, I would love some input, let me close off by giving you all an idea of the arm presence of this watch:




I was worried it would wear small, but no, its GREAT, and looking at the dial I can't help reminiscing...suddenly, new memories flood back and hey! thats what this is all about - the quiet appreciation of a byegone age....and - what? - oh, I gotta get back to washing the dishes...so, looking forward to all comments and suggestions! Have a good Sunday, and.....yes, dear, I´m on my way already, I just...