[b-lilja]

Hi, I just bought a Seiko Sportsman off ebay. It is awesome, I love it. I'm very clueless. My watch prior to this was a Swatch, and an M and Co. quartz.

Two questions:
I managed to get water in it right off the bat. I was riding my bike, and it was somewhat rainy but not what I'd consider to be "wet". Now the dial has water vapor on it inside the watch. Is this normal or does the watch need some attention?
Second, I can't figure out how to change the date. The winding post has two positions, in - for winding the watch, and out - for changing the time. Am I missing something?

 

[Mr Levity]

Welcome.

The first rule (OK, one of them ) with vintage watches is that you should keep them away from any water, even light rain, hand washing etc. Unless it's been given new seals, moisture will find it's way in.

If you can remove the case back (Please make sure you have the right tools !!!!!) and have some of those moisture absorbing sachets that come with lots of things these days, it's an easy fix. Put watch and sachets in a bag and they will draw the moisture out. If you can't get the case back off,or don't have any sachets, pull out the crown and leave it on a warm sunny windowsill, though this may take longer.

With regard to the date setting, wind the watch until the date changes, to 2am, then carefully (gently, I assume we're talking a nearly 50 year old watch) wind it back to 9pm. Then wind it to 2am and repeat. You should hear a click at around 9pm to confirm the date change mechanism has disengaged. If this doesn't work, you will unfortunately have to wind it all the way to the correct date.

Post a pic when you have enough posts.

 

[3Pedals_6Speeds]

Another option if you don't have the moisture absorbing packs is to put it in a container filled with rice (dry). That will also work.

1st order is probably to have the gaskets in the watch (if it's a Sportsman it probably only has a case back gasket) replaced. I have a couple Sportsman watches, I don't recall them having much if any water resistance to them, so I'd avoid doing much other than wearing to work etc... Anything where you might end up submerged in water is probably a bad idea as I am not sure if that watch has o-rings on the crown/stem assembly. If you're out bike riding (and sweating, which might have been the true culprit) and doing other active lifestyle activities, a more suitable watch might be a diver or something else better suited to being banged around, and wet.

Post a pic, we love watch pictures here! Also - what is the model number on the back? It will be the number with a dash in the middle (the other is the serial number)

 

[b-lilja]

It is 6602-9982.

I'm still confused about the date setting. I don't want to overwind the watch - are you saying you keep winding it until the date changes?

I'll post photos at some point - it's a terrific watch.

It is definitely not a water tight watch - the back of dial moisture is already gone. Perhaps the gasket has been removed.

 

[melt]

It is 6602-9982.

I'm still confused about the date setting. I don't want to overwind the watch - are you saying you keep winding it until the date changes?

No you have to pull out crown to first click and wind hands forward to required date or as Mr Levity says

"With regard to the date setting, wind the watch until the date changes, to 2am, then carefully (gently, I assume we're talking a nearly 50 year old watch) wind it back to 9pm. Then wind it to 2am and repeat. You should hear a click at around 9pm to confirm the date change mechanism has disengaged."

There is no quick set on 6602 sadly.
Your gaskets are probably worn or removed as you said.

 

[diesel powered seiko]

Your gaskets are probably worn or removed as you said.

Most likely worn on the stem and non existent on the case back from my experience with the older older type of Seiko.
Lovely watches though, post a photo when you can, as 3pedals_6speeds says.
Regards, David

 

[Mr Levity]

It is 6602-9982.

I'm still confused about the date setting. I don't want to overwind the watch - are you saying you keep winding it until the date changes?

I'll post photos at some point - it's a terrific watch.

Silly me I should have said wind the hands. I look forward to seeing the pics.

 

[b-lilja]

Thanks all, the moisture is gone, the date is right, and this is one solid watch!

 

[Mr Levity]

Good news.

We wants pics !