6105-8000 restoration pictorial (30+something pics)

[Galpo]

Hi all. 
  My last flea market find, a 1970 Seiko classic diver,  reminded me how much I learned from this forum,
and it's an opportunity   to give a little back. 
  I don't pretend to be a pro on this so all my actions are based on my limited knowledge 
  and common sense. In other words - try this at home at your own risk  
  Another remark - English is not my language, so please excuse my mistakes. 
   
  This 6105 proof/proof was found in a bad shape, but all original (as far as I can tell) 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  I knew I'm keeping it as original as I can, but it has to be wearable, which means cleaning, 
  reluming and a pressure test. 
   
  first, case parts cleaning, a lot of gunk accumulated over the years. 
  down-left corner, you can see the case back gasket. gone. 
   
   
   
  A great tool my wife bought me for my little hobby - a brass pencil brush 
   
   
   
  Then, reluming. C3  
   
  This is the "patient", dial is in good shape, besides the lume. The hands are baaaad. 
   
   
   
   
   
  Middle of the process, some of the lume has been removed.   
  I've used a screwdriver and toothpicks, plus some ear buds with medical alcohol. 
   
   
   
  Dial with old lume removed 
   
   
   
  Cleaning the hands. The trick is not to harm the chrome plating, so this must be done  slowly and carefully. 
   
   
   
  Now, for the fun part - the reluming. I use a C3 material, a kit I bought in a 
  watchmaker's supply store. The 6105 dial is easy compared to other dials I did, 
  thanks to the raised little frames. 
   
   
   
  Here it is, drying 
   
   
   
  The hands are done facing down, so the upper side of them stays clean. 
   
   
   
  I remembered to relume the insert's pip, which still has (!) the lens on the front. 
   
   
   
  The relumed parts are resting in the sun 
   
   
   
  While I assemble the beautiful case together (only cleaned, I don't want to refinish it. 
  All gasket are lubricated, the case back's gasket and crown will be replaced. 
   
   
   
   
   
  The crown's gasket is now out, and it's dead. Feels like hard plastic. 
  I hope that the gaskets I have will do, and it will pass the pressure test. 
  I'll order a new crown just in case. The reassembly of the crown's washer is hard to do. 
   
   
   
  Here is the finished dial after installing the hands, using a hand setting tool 
   
   
   
  And... Taddam! 
   
   
   
   
   
  A few wrist shots 
   
   
   
   
   
  And a lume shot 
   
   
   
  I've decided to keep the original bezel insert on, it's nice. 
   
  I hope you enjoyed this "little" story. 
  Have a great day, 
  Galpo. 

[bluloo]

Very nice!

[meierHH]

Very nice Lume color! I like the wabi of that dial.

I`m not so sure about the bezel insert. It´s very faded. But if you`d insert a new one it might contrast too much with the watches wabi...

Congratulation for your work on this old treasure.

Kind regards from Hamburg, Germany

[LUW]

You make it look sooo easy...

[LuisMXseiko]

I love this watches !  Good Job

[Isthmus]

Your killing me Gal.  This is the one vintage Seiko Diver that I would love to add to my collection (the 8110 is not my cup of tea).  Oddly enough I want it to wear and don't care for ultimate originality so long as it is clean, so if I got my hand on one, I would have no issue with using a modern reproduction dial, hands and crystal, provided I could restore the rest to as new condition.  One of these days I'll get my hand on one.

Nece work, very nice work.

[YOHOHO]

Excellent!  Thanks for the pictures and information.
 
I think I go to the wrong flea markets...

[Harry, Denmark]

Nice, Gal - well done! There is really nothing nicer than a diver that shows signs of regular use! Good thing that you are keeping the bezel insert!

[Gripen69]

STUNNING!

I really really want a 6105 from '69...

[Emeister]

Excellent post Galpo. Thanks very much for putting it together.
You can obviously wear that one with great pride knowing all the work you personally put into it.

Another vote for keeping the original bezel insert. Very cool.

Cheers
Ian

Have you had a pressure test? I'd be very happy staying out of the water with one of these. Cocktail on the beach/by the pool admiring your handiwork.

[willj28]

Galpo, wow wow wow   

[Galpo]

Excellent post Galpo. Thanks very much for putting it together.
You can obviously wear that one with great pride knowing all the work you personally put into it.

Another vote for keeping the original bezel insert. Very cool.

Cheers
Ian

Have you had a pressure test? I'd be very happy staying out of the water with one of these. Cocktail on the beach/by the pool admiring your handiwork.

Thanks. I've had it pressure tested and took it to a 3 meter dive at the pool. No problems.
If it can't swim, what's the point? 

[sharkfinDave]

Very nice job and well documented tutorial now.
Glad you did this, as I hope to one day take the same path to do my own relume.
It turned out fantastic, and she swims still. Love it. 6105  beauty.


Thanks for posting the awesome rebirth of a classic.
Dave.

[DAHASCO]

Great old post    I just received a 6105-8000 and this will help, Thanks for the pic's