To restore or not to restore...

5212 Views 52 Replies 17 Participants Last post by jringo8769, Feb 4, 2015

jln319

Discussion Starter · Oct 25, 2014

2

Hello Gents,

I know there are different schools of thought on restoration so I was hoping to get opinions from the experts. I've had this 6217-8001 for quite a while and haven't done anything with it. I think it's time. The case isn't in too bad condition and the movement is okay. The date wheel is stained. It's the dial that I am most concerned. It is in pretty rough shape. I go back and forth on restoring it. What do you guys think? Restore, replace, or leave it alone... Thanks!

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ncb123

· #2 · Oct 25, 2014

For me it'd have to be a restoration (if that's even possible). It's too far gone to get away with as wabi

TheTigerUK

· #3 · Oct 25, 2014

ncb123 said:
For me it'd have to be a restoration (if that's even possible). It's too far gone to get away with as wabi

No expert but totally agree.

jln319

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 25, 2014

Yes, I guess I knew that already, actually looks pretty obvious as I see it posted now...

ncb123

· #5 · Oct 25, 2014

You could try

davidbill.co.uk

They seem to do some amazing work, but I doubt it'd be cheap!

estrickland

· #6 · Oct 25, 2014

I'd vote for polishing the markers to remove surface rust and sealing the dial to arrest future deteriation, but leaving everything else as is.

The lume isn't in too bad shape, and the surface of the dial looks amazing.

Cool dial - congrats.

jln319

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 25, 2014

ncb123 said:
You could try

davidbill.co.uk

They seem to do some amazing work, but I doubt it'd be cheap!

I'm in the colonies, so I'm waiting for a quote from Kirk Rich in LA. But I may check davidbill out. Thanks!

jln319

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 25, 2014

estrickland said:
I'd vote for polishing the markers to remove surface rust and sealing the dial to arrest future deteriation, but leaving everything else as is.

The lume isn't in too bad shape, and the surface of the dial looks amazing.

Cool dial - congrats.

Thanks. I have contemplated that too... Don't know why I'm so indecisive. It's just such a great little watch with a big part of history I sort of feel like I'm desecrating it if I restore it... Pretty Silly I guess...:undecided:

killsnapz

· #9 · Oct 25, 2014

I have the same choice to make myself on my 6217-8001. Same situation as your. Runs good case is good but the dial has several small spots of discoloration. Your dial is way worse than mine. My personal opinion that dial is way beyond having "character" If you can afford to have the original restored that would be option number one for me. In fact please post if you do get a quote because I think that is what I want to do with mine also just as long as it is not outrageously priced to restore it. Then I would go with a reproduction. I personally would not wear a watch with that much damage to the dial. Just one mans opinion.

Michael

blacklab

· #10 · Oct 25, 2014

As with many other things (classic motorcyles & cars for example) there is an increasing movement to preserve (up to a certain point) rather than restore. I would suggest that this dial has exceeded that point.

jln319

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 25, 2014

I will definitely post any estimates I get.

killsnapz

· #12 · Oct 25, 2014

Thanks because if the price is reasonable my dial will be going out right after yours!

Michael

killsnapz

· #13 · Oct 26, 2014

blacklab said:
As with many other things (classic motorcyles & cars for example) there is an increasing movement to preserve (up to a certain point) rather than restore. I would suggest that this dial has exceeded that point.

I think that pretty much sums it up perfectly. I have no problem with a little character on vintage items. I also collect muscle cars and this new "ratrod" thing going on primarily on the west coast is a total joke in my opinion. To me "ratrods" are nothing more than rusty ugly junk that runs.

Michael

estrickland

· #14 · Oct 26, 2014

I just plain disagree about this dial being too 'far gone' / rusty old junk.

If the applied Seiko logo was degraded and/or the dial text was worn/missing/illegible, then I'd be on the same page.

But.. despite all the aging/wear on the dial, the logo and text are clear as day, which is pretty amazing.

As the watch is, I think it looks great, and it would bum me out to see it painted over.

killsnapz

· #15 · Oct 26, 2014

estrickland said:
I just plain disagree about this dial being too 'far gone' / rusty old junk.

If the applied Seiko logo was degraded and/or the dial text was worn/missing/illegible, then I'd be on the same page.

But.. despite all the aging/wear on the dial, the logo and text are clear as day, which is pretty amazing.

As the watch is, I think it looks great, and it would bum me out to see it painted over.

Well I hope you take this in the friendly manor it is meant in but is it no coincidence that you live in Southern California which is the home of the "ratrod" movement and the in thing is only restoring the mechanics of automobiles and such? Up here in New England if your driving something old worn out and beat up it just means you can't afford to have it restored yet. I'm not knocking it. All that matters is if you like it but it is strange how different vintage things are viewed on the West Coast as opposed to the East Coast.

Michael

estrickland

· #16 · Oct 26, 2014

2

Hope we're not hijacking your thread, JLN -

Re: SoCal/Ratrods.
I'm NoCal/NOS-to-Minty - I just happen to look at this dial and think "whoah - cool" not "whoah - yuck" (except for the surface rust on the markers, which I'd polish to match the applied Seiko logo).

Probably biased by my own patina'd 6217:

I can see why JLN is torn. Just thought I'd chime in with a 'cool' to counter the 'yuck' crowd.

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jln319

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 26, 2014

No worries, hijack away. Seems relavent to me...

mks4

· #18 · Oct 26, 2014

An interesting topic for sure! Interestingly, if we were on the Rolex forum talking about one of the earliest Submariners, this wouldn't even be a question. Touching the dial would be sacrilege and a dial like this with this type of aging (yet still possessing clarity) might even garner a premium.

But we're on the Seiko forum and while I understand that the values are not near Rolex territory, the direction here seems to be to thoughtfully restore.

My opinion on these things is that you only get original once. Heck, maybe sell it as tropical to see if you can generate enough funds to buy one you really love?

John_D

· #19 · Oct 26, 2014

Sorry, to me that is not 'patination' just damage caused by the ingress of moisture and as such should be 'repaired'

ncb123

· #20 · Oct 26, 2014 (Edited)

If the object, the dial in this case, was incredibly rare, or of significant historical importance, then I'd go the conservation route for sure. But it's not off some rare and valuable Rolex.

If it was conserved I doubt it'd look quite as good as the one posted by estrickland. Though, funnily enough, the conservation route would likely be the cheapest path. The markers and lume could be tidied up quite easily, but the dial is what it is unfortunately.

I have a feeling that full restoration would cost a small fortune and may not be financially worth it.

But it boils down to what you want from the project. What level of 'perfection' suits you. Personally I do like a watch to look fairly decent, and that dial doesn't do it for me, it's over the limit. Trouble is that if you have the dial restored then the rest of the watch needs to be mint too, or the 'balance' will be wrong.

So....you could either go with an overall conserved look and I'm sure it wouldn't look too horrendous under a crystal. Or you go with a really well presented one. Your choice.

Interesting discussion, and one for which there is no definitive answer I suspect. Where are we placing 6217s in the grand scheme of things?!

Edit: The other option is too sling it in the drawer for posterity, save your money and look for a better dial

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