To restore or not to restore...

5214 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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mks4

· #21 · Oct 26, 2014

ncb123 said:
If the object, the dial in this case, was incredibly rare, or of significant historical value, 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?!

Well said...you're correct that it's not rare or valuable like a Rolex. My reason for bringing up a sub is that (other than the 6159 and 6215), this is kind of seen as the "granddaddy" of Seiko professional divers.

I'd never suggest doing something for investment sake, but I suppose your question about where we place the 6217 in the scheme of things is a highly worthwhile one to ponder! Personally, I don't ever see these going down in value and where they're priced today (call it $1200-1700), they seem poised for more appreciation as they're relatively easy for people to afford if on a Swiss budget.

By the way, to the OP, what do the hands and bezel look like?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TheWatchBloke

· #22 · Oct 26, 2014

If you don't have a set of matching hands I'd replace it but if you do leave as is. It's completely original and looks like it's never been messed with. Don't polish the lume frames as you'll only end up brassing them. In my experience if you go down the restoration route no matter who takes it on it will never end up being completely correct. If that doesn't bother you then restore it but I know what I'd rather see.

TheTigerUK

· #23 · Oct 26, 2014

IMO it all depends what you want from the watch,

Do you want one that looks like it's had a very hard life ?

Do you want a collector piece ?

Do you want a watch that will hold its value to the majority of vintage Seiko collectors or just to a small niche who would be happy with that sort of aging ?

You may in the future want to flip it because you have seen a better one and (imo) that dial would prevent you selling it easy as to a lot it just would not appeal.

Personally I love nice original and I can live with sympathetic restored even but i really do think that is past being nice.

This dial nearly made it into my 6217 but fortunately i found just that bit better but again imo this dial of mine is 100% worth using as is or having restored.

Sorry if i sound "opinionated"

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killsnapz

· #24 · Oct 26, 2014

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

Grammarofdesign

· #25 · Oct 26, 2014

Mr. OP - that dial will never look vintage, Wabi, Patina, aged or whatever. It is terrible looking and will detract from any watch you put it on.

I would source a new dial or a cheap broken donor watch. My experience with dial refinishing is that it never satisfies.

Good luck !

jln319

Discussion Starter · #26 · Oct 27, 2014

Thank you everyone for all the input and pictures. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and advice. I am seeking out estimates on restoration and will let everyone know what I find and the fate of the dial...

dasher

· #27 · Oct 27, 2014

By all means restore that thing! A little bit is a good thing, but this is a bit too much. Cleaned up and restored, you'll want to look at it and enjoy it for years to come. Oh, and wear it too!

Good luck!

Dan

IgniFerroque

· #28 · Oct 27, 2014

Wow, I think that dial looks great. It's got some cool texture and the logo and all the text still looks clean. It would be great if you could get the markers cleaned up and some new lume on there, but I don't think I've seen this done well.

estrickland

· #29 · Oct 28, 2014

Good call about brassing Duncan - didn't think about that.

jln319

Discussion Starter · #30 · Oct 29, 2014

I heard back from Kirk Rich Dial Co. in Los Angeles. They said they could restore it to "as new" for around $140.00US and it would take 2-3 weeks. I've seen some of their work and it is quite good. He also said he has done many seiko dials. I asked if he could provide any pictures but I haven't heard back yet. I have a couple other inquiries out, hopefully I will hear back from them. Stay tuned...

TheTigerUK

· #31 · Oct 29, 2014

jln319 said:
I heard back from Kirk Rich Dial Co. in Los Angeles. They said they could restore it to "as new" for around $140.00US and it would take 2-3 weeks. I've seen some of their work and it is quite good. He also said he has done many seiko dials. I asked if he could provide any pictures but I haven't heard back yet. I have a couple other inquiries out, hopefully I will hear back from them. Stay tuned...

I received a dial not so long back in one of there containers

When you think about it that is quite cheap if it is as good as "New"

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jln319

Discussion Starter · #32 · Oct 29, 2014

It didn't seem an outrageous amount...

ncb123

· #33 · Oct 29, 2014

$140 seems very reasonable tbh

jln319

Discussion Starter · #34 · Oct 30, 2014

International Dial Co quoted $185.00US for complete restore with lume. They said they would have to make a printing die to preserve the lettering otherwise they would use a generic die and get it as close as possible. The close as possible option would be around $110.00... So far the cost does not seem prohibitive. Guess it's time to make a decision...

TheTigerUK

· #35 · Oct 30, 2014

I would go with the $185 being as it includes the die and relume, what would a good relume cost you ? $75/$100 ?

TheWatchBloke

· #36 · Oct 30, 2014

Make sure they replicate the sunburst pattern on the dial finish!

jln319

Discussion Starter · #37 · Oct 30, 2014

TheTigerUK said:
I would go with the $185 being as it includes the die and relume, what would a good relume cost you ? $75/$100 ?

Thats what I was thinking too...

jln319

Discussion Starter · #38 · Oct 30, 2014

cannop said:
Make sure they replicate the sunburst pattern on the dial finish!

This is the only thing that I am worried about now. Niether have said they can reliably do that...

TheWatchBloke

· #39 · Oct 30, 2014

Probably because they can't would be my bet. I'd explicitly instruct them to replicate it and see what they say. I'd also ask for the lume frames to be rechromed.

geran

· #40 · Nov 1, 2014

Would I buy my first complete 6217 displaying that dial maybe not, but if I was lucky enough to own two why not, if the hands etc all looked the inkeeping with the dial, each to there own.

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