Need some advice...

2111 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Selym, Apr 26, 2010

LUW

Discussion Starter · Apr 25, 2010

...on a 6309-704x :

.

I'm seriously thinking about getting a vintage diver, and that cushion case would be outstanding, specially since I don't have anything like that in my box, and the prices that I've seen for this watch are affordable to me. The 6105-8119 looks a lot like the 6309 and is a rarer (and therefor more desirable) piece, but prices are pretty higher, so right now I think the 6309 would be a smart option. What I want to hear is your opinions about the following. Look at this pic (from a sale add at TZ - courtesy of jres11):

As you can see, the watch is not pristine, with a scratched case, hands are not too good and the bezel has seen better days, but dial and lume look ok. Let's say I can find a watch in this condition, how hard would it be to make it pristine again? Would I be able to find a new bezel and hands? Can I get the case polished close to a factory look again? And of course, how much would I spend for a top notch restoration of a watch like this

?

I ask because I like my watches looking as best as possible. I would not like it to look moded, but look new, so of course I would want to use original parts or at least VERY good aftermarket parts. However, I don't even know if I can make the watch look BNIB with aftermarket parts... Since I don't consider myself a collector and I'm definitively not a purist, I would love to have a good-looking 6309 (pristine if possible) but I wouldn't be bothered if 100% of the parts are not factory parts, as long as they have quality.

And now about bracelet/straps. Lug to lug is 22 mm, right? Was the watch ever offered with anything else then rubber straps? Are the correct straps hard to find? I generally prefer a metal bracelet, but if it's totally wrong on the 6309 I'll settle for rubber.

And now the movement: is the 6309 hard to maintain, in terms of parts? I imagine you set the date by pulling the crown to the first stage out, but what about the day? Advancing the hands over midnight until the day changes and then retroceding the hands back to 11pm and going forward again to change one more day? What languages are on the day wheel?

What say you about all this? :

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sharkfinDave

· #2 · Apr 25, 2010

LOL, Luciano, loads of questions tonite. I'll try answer some for you.

yes, 22mm lugs.
original parts can be found, you may pay a premium. aftermarket, cheap, in abundance.
very popular model, so maintenance/parts can be sourced
original straps also can be found, heard yobokies sells original seiko's
also super oysters and Anvils available at yobokies. there is also watchadoos look good too, as far as SS bracelets go.
I haven't seen a mesh however, hmmm, I'd like to see that.
possible to find a minty 6309 all original for a price, seen some over past few months every now and then.
I like the wabi on these vintages 6309/6105 to a point. like I said, minty condition, you pay a premium.
I like wabi on the vintage pieces, so that is why I bought the Tsunami, a new 6309 version IMO. A built to the hilt version. VERY SWEET!

the day wheels I've seen are english/spanish, kanji on the 6306 version, english/roman, english/farci I think, english/german.
Many of wis-ers here have restored their 6309-704x back to all original. A few good watchmen can/have restore fully with decent prices if one chooses to do so. This has been the choice route of many 6309 dive lovers who want a pristine piece. Many knowledgeable guys with this diver, many choices mods/parts etc. Very popular model.
I love them so much I keep buying them. :-* 6309 love.

Hope that helps. Maybe someone else here more knowledgeable can correct me or add to what I said.
Cheers, Dave.

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sharkfinDave

· #5 · Apr 25, 2010

Wow, Jeff, those mesh do look 8)
I've gotta try one out, where to buy those ones? They look slightly different from ones I've seen before and even the one I have for my monster, too bad its 20mm and won't fit on my 6309's.

thanks, Dave.

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sharkfinDave

· #13 · Apr 25, 2010

I think everyone should have at least one 6309 diver, all original or not. But its still no Tsunami. Far from comparison, similar yet different beasts IMO. Good to have both. But get a 6309 first as they are more accessible for cheap.

Gabes buyer guide is invaluable. I wish I read about before I bought my first 6309 blindly and uneducated. I was told all original, but far from it after reading Gabe's guide.

I learned the hard way.

Dave.

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