Apologies to anyone who's already read this in another forum!
Hi all. A while ago I got my first 6309 7040, which was cheap and full of aftermarket parts. I cleaned it up and added a Yokobies bezel insert and domed sapphire crystal and I've been loving it. See here: http://www.thewatchsite.com/showthread.php?p=845674#post845674
Well I've wanted to find something with at least an original dial and on the weekend I got lucky while browsing Gumtree. "Seiko Auto Diver 1980" got me interested and the brief note that it was a Japanese market version got me really interested. The photos were low res and I couldn't make out the model number but you know what I was thinking.
Long story short, the seller confirmed the 6306 7001 model number and reluctantly agreed to post it - he would have preferred a personal inspection but conceded that I couldn't achieve that from another State of Australia.
It arrived today and I'm stoked.
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
Creamy lume, original bezel insert (rather worn), nice clean hands and dial, original crystal (too scratched for my tastes), bezel clicks nicely although it's loose and I think the gasket is missing, crown engages nicely and it hacks as expected. Kanji day wheel of course.
The only real downside that I didn't notice in his pic was some of the minute marks on the internal bezel are missing.
It's actually from 1978, but who's counting.
![Analog watch Watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Strap]()
The 6306A movement is clean, the case spring is present and there are three watchmaker's marks on the inside of the caseback so someone has taken care of it in the past.
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
What I was surprised at is the finish on the case. I had read that the 6306 had a finer finish than the 6309 but this almost appears finely bead blasted. There isn't any noticeable brushing, just a really fine frosting all over - front and back and even between the lugs. Is this correct? It looks like it could be from other online pics, but it's hard to be sure. Given nothing else has been replaced I can't see someone going out and doing a professional bead blasting on the case.
These case back does look as though it could have been polished at some point though - there are some dings that are smooth edged. All of the text is clear though.
The seller said he got into old watches and bought this about 15 years ago. It sounds like it hasn't been worn for many years. He also said he had a few old chronos in the safe that he's going to send me pics of so maybe there will be a gem or two there if I'm lucky.
What do you reckon, a good find?
Hi all. A while ago I got my first 6309 7040, which was cheap and full of aftermarket parts. I cleaned it up and added a Yokobies bezel insert and domed sapphire crystal and I've been loving it. See here: http://www.thewatchsite.com/showthread.php?p=845674#post845674
Well I've wanted to find something with at least an original dial and on the weekend I got lucky while browsing Gumtree. "Seiko Auto Diver 1980" got me interested and the brief note that it was a Japanese market version got me really interested. The photos were low res and I couldn't make out the model number but you know what I was thinking.
Long story short, the seller confirmed the 6306 7001 model number and reluctantly agreed to post it - he would have preferred a personal inspection but conceded that I couldn't achieve that from another State of Australia.
It arrived today and I'm stoked.
Creamy lume, original bezel insert (rather worn), nice clean hands and dial, original crystal (too scratched for my tastes), bezel clicks nicely although it's loose and I think the gasket is missing, crown engages nicely and it hacks as expected. Kanji day wheel of course.
The only real downside that I didn't notice in his pic was some of the minute marks on the internal bezel are missing.
It's actually from 1978, but who's counting.
The 6306A movement is clean, the case spring is present and there are three watchmaker's marks on the inside of the caseback so someone has taken care of it in the past.
What I was surprised at is the finish on the case. I had read that the 6306 had a finer finish than the 6309 but this almost appears finely bead blasted. There isn't any noticeable brushing, just a really fine frosting all over - front and back and even between the lugs. Is this correct? It looks like it could be from other online pics, but it's hard to be sure. Given nothing else has been replaced I can't see someone going out and doing a professional bead blasting on the case.
These case back does look as though it could have been polished at some point though - there are some dings that are smooth edged. All of the text is clear though.
The seller said he got into old watches and bought this about 15 years ago. It sounds like it hasn't been worn for many years. He also said he had a few old chronos in the safe that he's going to send me pics of so maybe there will be a gem or two there if I'm lucky.
What do you reckon, a good find?
