6139-8020 Question

1559 Views 20 Replies 8 Participants Last post by David Kennedy, Jun 4, 2014

cohibafix

Discussion Starter · May 29, 2014

Hello. I need advice from experts! I'm new to the forum and I'm still waiting to purchase my first vintage Seiko. I have learnt a lot from this forum and site but I need to refer this query to higher authorities.

I stumbled on a "restored" 6139-8020 up for sale on well known online auction site. The watch looked original to me but I thought I'd do a quick image search, just to see how it visually compared to others. Well, now I'm confused!

Some photos of the 8020 show the "lines" on the brushed case surface running across the case (i.e. left to right, or, horizontally); while other photos show the brushed case lines running from top to bottom, or vertically.

Please help! Which is original?

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ClockBloke

· #2 · May 29, 2014

cohibafix said:
Hello. I need advice from experts! I'm new to the forum and I'm still waiting to purchase my first vintage Seiko. I have learnt a lot from this forum and site but I need to refer this query to higher authorities.

I stumbled on a "restored" 6139-8020 up for sale on well known online auction site. The watch looked original to me but I thought I'd do a quick image search, just to see how it visually compared to others. Well, now I'm confused!

Some photos of the 8020 show the "lines" on the brushed case surface running across the case (i.e. left to right, or, horizontally); while other photos show the brushed case lines running from top to bottom, or vertically.

Please help! Which is original?

Can you upload photos of it?

cohibafix

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 29, 2014

Sorry, can't seem to upload an image from the site but here's an item number that can be placed in a search. It should take you straight to it. Thanks.

261491482711

ClockBloke

· #4 · May 29, 2014 (Edited)

Ok the case & the rotor on the movement have been 'refinished' aka sanded in one direction but then it is a old watch (May 76 I believe) and he's stated that in the listing. The rotor has been refinished on top of the movement and I can see marks left by what appears to be light rusting. Not sure about the dial or hands but the strap is wrong for that watch. He's good at taking photos it has to be said and is not trying to hide anything as I can see that in the photos. As I say I'm no Seiko expert so you will have to ask others if the dial and pushers and such are original to the watch.

I should get back into refishing metals as if that's the best refinish available I'm going to make a fortune!

pollyc

· #5 · May 29, 2014

The brushing goes from side to side. A lot of 'restored ones are done from top to bottom because it's easier to do.

Almost all the 8020's I see on Ebay are cobbled together. That's why I built my own. Tom gave me a case which I redid the brushing from side to side and Polly got the other bits together.

This is completely non stock BTW

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cohibafix

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 30, 2014

Great job on the case - it looks great!

And thanks for the replies to my question. The responses have been very helpful (as always). Happy watching!

enicar.racine

· #7 · May 30, 2014

:c029:Mike that's sparkling new !!

pollyc said:
The brushing goes from side to side. A lot of 'restored ones are done from top to bottom because it's easier to do.

Almost all the 8020's I see on Ebay are cobbled together. That's why I built my own. Tom gave me a case which I redid the brushing from side to side and Polly got the other bits together.

This is completely non stock BTW

ClockBloke

· #8 · May 30, 2014

superb job!

David Kennedy

· #9 · Jun 3, 2014

Hello, I am new to this site, my Dad had a Seiko 6139 8020, which survived 2 helicopter crashes amongst other things, sadly it's movement didn't survive rust, which seized it up.
He died last year, and I would like to get to running and back to its best as a gift for my brother can anyone help?

Thank you for any advice

Dave

jringo8769

· #10 · Jun 3, 2014

that is excellent work...impressive

jringo8769

· #11 · Jun 3, 2014

Welcome David Kennedy..i am so sorry to hear of your loss....getting your father's watch back in working order should not be anything terrible...where are you located..after 5 posts you can upload pics too...welcome to the forum...glad to have you with us....John

David Kennedy

· #12 · Jun 3, 2014

Hi, thank you for the nice words, I am based in Cumbria, but happy to take the watch anywhere to get it back as it should be.
The movement is rusted solid, so I am assuming it will a need totally new movement, I want to keep as much of the original watch as I can.

Thanks for looking and helping
Dave

thickman808

· #13 · Jun 3, 2014

David Kennedy said:
Hi, thank you for the nice words, I am based in Cumbria, but happy to take the watch anywhere to get it back as it should be.
The movement is rusted solid, so I am assuming it will a need totally new movement, I want to keep as much of the original watch as I can.

Thanks for looking and helping
Dave

Welcome!

Many here can help you, myself included. But also PollyC, Spencer Kleine and IWW will get voted and come highly recommended. See what info you get and go from there.
The movement inside that watch is fairly easy to fix up, or swap out if need be. You won't get a new movement for it as they have not been made for decades I should think. Some new old stock parts surface every now and again, but mostly we use old donor watches and movements to take the parts to fix the pieces we are interested in. Seikos 6139 movement is very highly regarded and thankfully old 6139 watches are quite easy to come by, so finding parts is generally not a problem.

Good luck in your quest,

jringo8769

· #14 · Jun 3, 2014

this forum is excellent...we are glad to have you with us...

jringo8769

· #15 · Jun 3, 2014

thickman808 great site..impressive work...

David Kennedy

· #16 · Jun 3, 2014

Thanks all! How should I go about getting someone to take a look, you all seem to know what you're talking about?
Do I try and get a movement and then someone to fit it or are you guys able to do the whole thing?
I am periodically up and to cheshire and market harborough if that helps any?

Cheers
Dave

ClockBloke

· #17 · Jun 3, 2014

jringo8769 said:
thickman808 great site..impressive work...

He's like my habit dealer! when ever I need a fix I go to Tom and he supplies the goods

funkster

· #18 · Jun 3, 2014

pollyc said:

Mmmmmm lovely!
My vote for WOTM (watch of the month)!

jringo8769

· #19 · Jun 3, 2014

thickman808 his work is impressive...not sure how far away he is..but he did offer to help..i think him or pollyc on here would be the best place to start...unless you all have a better place to start..i do not know UK

ClockBloke said:
He's like my habit dealer! when ever I need a fix I go to Tom and he supplies the goods

David Kennedy

· #20 · Jun 4, 2014

Great info thank you all, feeling happy that it can be repaired!

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