[jay48]

Greetings!
At long last, my slim 6309 was delivered last Thursday and I wanted to share some photos of the watch as received and after preliminary inspection.
I found this specimen in the Philippines in March, just as the global lockdown was enacted. All I had to tide away my time were photos generously sent to me by the seller; and boy was I excited! On first glance, it looked honest and original to itself, but there were a few problems. More on these later.
Here it is, freshly unpacked from its packaging-

I wasted no time in stripping it down for a complete cleanup and inspection.

The click ball is present and after an overnight soak in WD40, works as intended! I can't remove it from its crevice but I read that it's non-removable from the factory and only comes apart when worn out.

There's a small amount of corrosion and pitting here but it'll still be watertight.

Original crown with the elusive 'stem rest' intact. I removed the parts carefully and cleaned out the crown too-

Bezel and insert. Is this insert genuine? I'll probably replace it though.

Movement out

The dial is genuine and useable but needs a coat of matte varnish to hide some blemishes.

The movement runs but the rotor feels sticky when wound. I'm hoping a service will sort it out!

The hands are replacement I think. No matter, I'll paint these up like 7C43 hands and track down a set of authentic flat 6309 hands-

So here's the rundown-
The crystal retainer is cracked and will be replaced. The crystal is original but I've heard good things about Bry's 6309/7548 crystals so I'll be fitting one. Completing the whole project will be a set of VTA gaskets.
Stay tuned!
Jay

 

[Vette Enthusiast]

Looks like a great project Jay. Looking forward to seeing the final result.


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[gtmoore99]

Brilliant! Keep us posted!

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[twall3]

Posts like this are what brought me to SCWF many years ago - thanks for the write-up and looking forward to your progress!

 

[nzwatchdoctor]

Good work so far. ;-)
The case looks good - no big dents etc.

 

[jay48]

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments! I've always had a hankering for a true Seiko Diver and with prices being what they are, the -7290 is the best trade off. First order of business is to refinish the case. Any tips on refinishing the brushed lugs?

 

[SeikoPsycho2]

Looks like a great project!

Generally, a 3m medium sanding block will work well on the lug brushed finish.

 

[SennieG]

I love reading restorations on this forum, another old watch saved for posterity!! Very well done!!

All the best,

Neel

 

[DAHASCO]

Good for you on saving this one, Making more Popcorn !!!

 

[Vette Enthusiast]

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[/QUOTE]

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments! I've always had a hankering for a true Seiko Diver and with prices being what they are, the -7290 is the best trade off. First order of business is to refinish the case. Any tips on refinishing the brushed lugs?

Bergeon makes some fiberglass fiber pens used for adding or touching up brushing on cases. They make a smaller pencil thin one and another thicker one for larger surface areas. I have both. I think this would work well for your application after taping off the case.

 

[Grinderman]

Good job on the restoring efforts. The 7290 has become one of my favorites

 

[nzwatchdoctor]

I use sandpaper for replicating brush finish - (I find wet and dry ideal). I'd finish the brushing on the top of the lugs with 400 then 800.
Here is a 6309 - 7040 I sold yesterday afternoon. The guy has bought three Seiko 6309s off me ;-)
I got the bracelet from Tools 852 - the ends are made for the 7040 but I did have to file them a bit. The buyer wanted the Jubilee but didn't like "shiny" so I had to mask and sand the inner links.
He's happy with it and so am I ;-)

 

[gtmoore99]

Ive been playing around with different grades of sanding pads (scotchbrite type material) as it comes in all different grades and can get some quite good finishes. I find it's best to polish the original finish and brush on a new one.

Different diver models look to have different brushings

Not sure I'd try this with something very valuable but it can improve an otherwise rough case and make it presentable once it's all built up

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[jay48]

I've arrived at a dilemma...The case looks like this at the moment-

Do I go ahead with the refinish or do I leave this original finish? Of course, I'm fairly certain I'll never be able to get the circular finish on the lugs right, but I can refinish the rest. What would you do if your project looked like this?
In the meantime, I've got a new bezel retaining ring and all the gaskets sourced.

 

[DAHASCO]

Leave It

 

[nzwatchdoctor]

I'd refinish it. See mine - buff the case and sand the top of the lugs like it was originally.

 

[jay48]

Leave It

Leaning towards leaving it with a little bit of 'patina'.

I'd refinish it. See mine - buff the case and sand the top of the lugs like it was originally.

Getting the circular brushing is tough without the proper tools though. I'll give it a go on one of my test cases first.

 

[nzwatchdoctor]

Leaning towards leaving it with a little bit of 'patina'.

Getting the circular brushing is tough without the proper tools though. I'll give it a go on one of my test cases first.

Yeah there is an art to it but remember you only have to make each lug top look circular and the bezel covers a lot too.

 

[b0rg5auce]

You could get the circular brush redone with a Scotchbrite but since the scratches appear deep you'll probably need to take off a layer with sandpaper and bring it to a high polish. And then cut a hole in the scotchbride about the size of the crystal retaining ring. Tape off the polished edge and go at it in one direction.

To me it depends on the bezel and insert condition. If you could match it with the wabi Sabi on the case then leave as is.

 

[Thesharkman]

I've arrived at a dilemma...The case looks like this at the moment-

Do I go ahead with the refinish or do I leave this original finish? Of course, I'm fairly certain I'll never be able to get the circular finish on the lugs right, but I can refinish the rest. What would you do if your project looked like this?
In the meantime, I've got a new bezel retaining ring and all the gaskets sourced.

i'm in the leave it alone camp. it's not as if you are going to restore something that will look "close" to new when you'd be done anyway. unless you had a "as new condition" dial and hands, I'd leave it.

<* shark >>><