[killsnapz]

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

 

[killsnapz]

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

Michael

 

[killsnapz]

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

 

[killsnapz]

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

 

[killsnapz]

Well the good thing is I think we have given him every good reason why he should not replace or restore the dial and then all of the other arguments as to why the dial should be replaced. It appears most of us already know which we prefer.
Take a good look at watches that are unrestored with heavy weathering then take a look at a restored one and decide which one floats your boat. It usually takes me less than 5 minutes of inspecting a dial closely to decide if its going to the scrap pile or back on the watch. I have no problems with small imperfections like a small chip or a bit of fading and I have several Seiko that I restored and put the original less than perfect dials on. You just have to find your own level of damage to a dial that relegates it to the emergency spares pile. Hope all of this back and forth has helped you out.

Michael