I have had a collector of vintage dive watches contact me after reading about this project and he is thinking of offering me quite a lot of original 6309s. He is willing to offer these to me because he said he would like to help this project along, and they will all be original apart from some may have the correct flat after market hands fitted. Some it appears may need crystals or inserts. He has agreed after some hard negotiating to send me a couple of samples for me to have a look at. They will be with me soon, if any one is interested let me know.
As you said, there's nothing in the rules that limits you to one. I'd be interested in another one, but I'll queue up behind other people who need one to get started – there's no point in being greedy about this project...
I'd like to make an OEM restoration and a Desert Diver or alternatively an all-black stealth version... Speaking of which, does anyone know where you can get your hands on some black lume, like on the Bell and Ross Phantom?
So would I. I'm still not feeling confident enough to buy a 6309 and get what I pay for it. Some direction would be nice. This is a hobby for me and I don't have money to through away
That is very helpful to those wanting to start the project..
As for me, I will be starting with this 6309-729x that has some redeemable features.. It does have a bezel that won't turn and is due to problems with the click ball and spring..
I'm very interested, looks like I will have to spend more than what I thought though , oh well. By the way John, thanks for organising this project, I bet it has taken a fair effort on your behalf to get it organised, I know that I would never have the time, so do appreciate all your efforts.
I only just found this project, so I need to get up to speed sharpish.
I'm also fairly new to Seikos and buying watches knowing what you're getting (watch collecting for me was walking into a store and picking the one that looked the best).
So can anyone help in finding a watch to work on? Where to get one, around how much to pay, and how to get one that is in a good enough/bad enough condition to take on for this project?
I only just found this project, so I need to get up to speed sharpish.
I'm also fairly new to Seikos and buying watches knowing what you're getting (watch collecting for me was walking into a store and picking the one that looked the best).
So can anyone help in finding a watch to work on? Where to get one, around how much to pay, and how to get one that is in a good enough/bad enough condition to take on for this project?
Thanks so much. Very interesting read. I would prefer the bigger case (to contrast with my other watches), but I'm not going to be all that picky, after all this first watch has a large chance of becoming project version 1.0...
The question that I see as more difficult is getting one that is in the right condition. I want this to be a watch that when I wear it I think "I brought that back to life a little" rather than "I took that apart and successfully put it back together". So I need one that's not recently serviced, etc. but also not way past a beginner's scope (Unless I'm completely wrong and I need a mint one to make this a guided tour of the movement.)
(Let me apologise now for the reckless use of double spacing in my posts.)
Hi John, I'd be interested in 2 set of original hands.
I've had a 7040 and a 7290 sitting around for restore for 6 months.
I've got most parts original, just missing hands.
Glad you're doing this.
As I got frustrated searching on ebay for a good subject for this project, I got to thinking about reaching out to a Philippine source that I purchased a refurbished 7040 from a few months ago. Just to ask if he had any unrestored examples that he would sell "as is". He came back and said that he does and he would and said $58 per. This struck me as a good price for something that my untrained hands are going to have a go at.
He said he could supply a good number of them if there were buyers.
Now.....this is a Philippine source but one that I had good luck with on a prior purchase. I cannot vouch for what he has or is offering....but he will send me pics in the next day.
Let me know if you are interested in this avenue. My thinking is that if they are un restored then they are probably in semi original state. Personally I like cosmetic over wabi so I am probably going to go this route.
I too would be interested to hear about your experience with the watches from the Philippines. I've been looking on eBay and something like 70-80% of the 6309's are from somewhere in the Philippines. Now, I'm sure some of them are dodgy rip-offs, but they can't all be crap!
My thinking is that even if it is common for Philippine sellers use lower end parts when they refresh, if we can get some that are unmolested then I would think it might be just fine. Have not seen pics yet.
Just got pictures from him. They look great! rough but not over the top beat up. I have asked a few questions on fundamentals like crown threads and spring bar holes etc. But this is a great option for this project I think.
SO....I am going to order for myself. I suppose we could save some shipping costs by getting them to me in Toronto area then shipping out from there but that may be more hassle than its worth.
Any more takers? Thoughts? If you pm me your email address I can send some pictures of the examples he provided.
SO....I am going to order for myself. I suppose we could save some shipping costs by getting them to me in Toronto area then shipping out from there but that may be more hassle than its worth.
Any more takers? Thoughts? If you pm me your email address I can send some pictures of the examples he provided.
I'd be interested in seeing some pictures - as this is a restoration project, i'd far prefer getting an original (if banged up) condition watch that hasn't been touched rather than one that's been restored badly. PM sent for pictures. Oh, and how much is the seller asking for them, seeing as the fully restored watches are going for up to $100 USD?
I believe I have answered everyone's questions. I just now sent out the contact info for all that has expressed interest. If I missed anyone just let me know, but check your email first.
Really looking forward to this learning experience.
Chuck
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