Newbie with a Seiko 3003 (4823-8039) circa 1976

I found the original, failed band that came with my 1976 Seiko. See attached three photos. The band broke at one of the links/segments which does not have a removable pin. I have no idea how these "permanent" hinged links are actually assembled, as each link has two fixed pins that insert into holes on the adjoining piece. It does not appear to me that this band can be repaired, as it it not one of the removable segments that has failed. The failure is one of the little holes that the fixed hinge pin fits into tore out.


So I am searching for an identical replacement band. The only number I can find on the band is on each of the rolled metal end covers. The number is very hard to read but appears to be either Z 075 or 2 075. The only other marking on the band is the underside of the clasp is stamped: "All Stainless Steel Japan Z".


My attempts to find this band on the internet (including eBay) have been unsuccessful so far.


Any help that you can provide would be most appreciated.


Thank you.

P.S., I ordered the crystal from CousinsUK and am waiting for it to arrive.

thscott said:

I received the replacement crystal from CousinsUK. It looks to be exactly what I need. I was not able to locate or purchase any gaskets. I am ready to have the crystal installed. Can I take it to any good watch repair person near where I live, or do you recommend I send it to a Seiko authorized repair shop? I'd prefer not to ship it anywhere. Is it as simple as removing the bezel and installing the new crystal? Is the crystal glued in? Can the crystal be replaced without installing a new gasket seal?

Thank you.

Click to expand...

The assembly of this case is not straight-forward, and I can see many potential pitfalls awaiting someone who is not familiar with the construction as force must be used to disassemble and reassemble the case.
There is no glue involved, rather the crystal is installed into the bezel from the inside, but only after the bezel is removed from the case. One cannot pry the bezel out, it must be pushed out from the inside (which requires exactly the right sized dies). Both a rubber crystal gasket and a plastic bezel gasket are disturbed during this process and should be replaced to ensure water resistance. If one is lucky the watch can go back together using the old gaskets, but they necessarily won't be doing as good a job of holding things together as new, unused gaskets. If one is unlucky, the gaskets (particularly the plastic bezel gasket) will be deformed from the process enough that it won't allow proper seating of the bezel in the case. I'd take it to the best watchmaker you can find and who is willing to take on a potentially risky replacement like this. If they don't know the risks involved, that likely means they aren't familar with this "inside out" system, maybe find some one who is.

4823-8039 crystal gasket: DJ2990B
4823-8039 bezel gasket: 89997850
4823-8039 back gasket: DB2915B
4823-8039 crown gasket: DJ0060B
4823-8039 cell hatch gasket: EH1175B