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Another amazing 6138-8020 "PANDA" went out today.

Another amazing 6138-8020 "PANDA" went out today.

Such a classic look.

This piece was extremely nice. All that was needed was a service, new seals and new crystal, and it's ready for at least another decade's service.

#seiko #seikowatches #vintageseiko #seikopanda #seikochronograph #61388020 #seiko6138 #61389 #seikochronograph #vintagetimeaustralia #vtau #vintagetimeau #vtaustralia #watchmania #watchoftheday #watchesofinstagram #watchrepairau #watchrepairadelaide #watchrepairusa #seikorepair #horology

Just finished the first hand fettled stem gear for

Just finished the first hand fettled stem gear for the 6139 series.

The part works really well, better than expected. It's made from 304 stainless steel.

When I get these into full production they will be sold with the stem spring.

The production part will be a bit thinner than the OEM part for several reasons -

1. Cheaper to make
2. It doesn't need to be so thick
3. Better accommodates various aftermarket crowns

At this stage, I'm only doing the gear/spring. Stems are on the "to-do" list but will be a while away.

#seiko #seikowatches #seiko6139 #61396002 #61396020 #61396022 #61396005 #61396009 #vintagetimeaustralia #vtau #vtaustralia #vintagetimeau #horology #watchrepair #seikorepair

"Service history unknown, but runs great! Keeps ex

"Service history unknown, but runs great! Keeps excellent time!"

This is why you need to factor in a service on ANY vintage watch you purchase.

One of the worst "mushroom pivots" I've seen in a while.

Wheel in question is from a SEIKO KS 45-7000.

Unfortunately with this watch, nearly the entire gear train needs replacing due to excessive wear.

#seiko #seikowatches #seikoks #kingseiko #seiko45 #ks45 #watchrepair #watchreapiradelaide #watchrepairaustralia #seikorepair #seikoservice #kingseiko #vintagetimeau #vintagetimeaustralia #vtau #vtaustralia

OK so for those people still guessing, the answer

OK so for those people still guessing, the answer on this one is that someone, at great effort and time, shoe-horned a 6309 balance into a 6139 balance cock.

So the 63 series balance is backwards compatible to the 61 series movements, but usually only as a complete swap with the cock.

As part of a broader discussion about interchangeability, it will work on a 6138/9, but as the 6309 has a different stud system and terminal curve, in my opinion, it's not worth the effort. It works better on the 3 hander movements.

Results from swapping in the 63 series balance is usually a higher amplitude.

I speculate the higher amplitude is due to the smaller balance wheel, which in theory, should give you a better swing. The balance wheel in the 61 series movements is HUGE, it's roughly the same size as the barrel.

The guy that put this in must have spent hours re-pinning the hairspring and adjusting the terminal curve to fit the 61 series balance cock.

As the amplitude is OK and it's behaving really well, I'm leaving it alone.

#seiko #seikowatches #6139 #seiko6139 #horology #watchrepair #watchrepairadelaide #watchrepairaustralia #watchrepairusa #seikorepair #seikoservice #seikoserviceaustralia #seikoserviceusa #vintagetimeaustralia #vtau #vintagetimeau #australia

OK, for the super eagle eyed among you, who can sp

OK, for the super eagle eyed among you, who can spot the problem with this 6139 balance?

This is a really tough one and it won't be what you think.

As a hint, it looks OK on a timegrapher in several positions.

No prizes for the winner except to say you spotted it!

#seiko #seikorepair #watchrepairs #horology #watchrepairsadelaide #watchrepairsaustralia #seikorepairs #seikorepairsaustralia #seikowatches #6139 #vintagetimeaustralia #vtau #vtaustralia #vintagetimeau

Saw this awesome scene down a back alley, in the m

Saw this awesome scene down a back alley, in the middle of the "Austral Stores" complex, in #Adelaide. I was heading out of @ancientworld.5000 bar after the "THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE" tour.

#urbex #adelaide #australstores #urbexadelaide #adelaideurbex

Finished service on a very clean 6117-6400 World T

Finished service on a very clean 6117-6400 World Time. WITH the GMT error, or was it? I remember someone saying a while ago that London wasn't always on GMT?

I note some of the names on the ring have been phased out.

#seiko #seikowatches #seiko6117 #seikoworldtime #seiko61176400 #vintagewatch #watchrepairsadelaide #seikorepairsadelaide #seikorepairsaustralia #vintagetimeau #vtau #vintagetimeaustralia #vtaustralia

Just finished another single owner 6138-8020. Bi

Just finished another single owner 6138-8020.

Bit of battle damage but it's survived several decades.

I relumed the hands and dial, retouched the tip of the sweep hand with the red/orange accent and refurbished the subdial hands, which were nearly paintless.

Ready to go a few more decades!

#seiko #seikowatches #seikopanda #seiko61388020 #seikochronograph #vintagechronograph #chronographwatch #watchmania #seikoaddict #watchrepairsadelaide #seikorepairsadelaide #seikorepairsasutralia #seikoservice #seikoserviceusa #seikoserviceau #vintagetimeau #vtaustralia #vtau #vintagetimeaustralia

SEIKO H558-5000 "Arnie". It's nod a tumah, but I m

SEIKO H558-5000 "Arnie". It's nod a tumah, but I missed a few specs of dust and a fibre before taking the photo.

Just serviced this one for a customer who's had it since new. Passed a pressure test and runs better than new with synthetic oils.

So cool how the bezel on these fades to a blue/black.

#seiko #seikowatches #vintageseiko #seikoh558 #seikoarnie #seikoh5585000 #seikodiver #divingwatch #vintagewatch #watchmania #watchoftheday #watchrepairsadelaide #watchrepairsaustralia #seikorepairsadelaide #seikorepairsaustralia #vintagetimeaustralia #vtau #vtaustralia #vintagetimeau

SEIKO 6309-7290. Well used. Just finished the ser

SEIKO 6309-7290. Well used.

Just finished the service on this one. Such a nice piece.

#seiko #seiko63097290 #seikodiver #vintagestiko #horology #watchoftheday #watchmania #seikoaddict #vintagedivewatch #divingwatches #watchrepairs #watchrepairsadelaide #watchrepairsaustralia #seikorepairs #seikorepairsadelaide #seikorepairsaustralia #vintagetimeau #vtau #vintagetimeaustralia #vtaustralia

Some of my better shots from "THE WORLD IS A VAMPI

Some of my better shots from "THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE" Tour in Addelaide. Such a great show.

#thesmashingpumpkins #thesmashingpumpkinslive #billycorgan #jamesiha

#janesaddiction #janesaddictionlive #perryfarrell #ettylaufarrell

In contrast to my last post, here's a cool design

In contrast to my last post, here's a cool design decision (even if it's not terribly fresh), from SEIKO. Even better, it's at a price most people can afford.

This is the 7T12-0CC0 Giugiaro re-issue.

It's a re-issue of the plastic cased 7A28 version from the 80's. It's weirdarse design is supposed to be for motorbike riders, so the dial is roughly straight when your hands are on the bars.

The re-issue however, is fully metal. Due to that, the weight is substantial, so I can understand why the original was made from plastic.

The new metal bracelet has all the feel and charm of a barn door, installed in 1923 and never oiled, not even once. It rattles and squeaks. I expect once some skin cells and arm grease builds up in the links it will be OK though.

The adjustment system of the bracelet was designed by the dark lord who cannot be named personally, pin and collet. It sucks. It's just about a 2 person job and you're more likely to have a minor lotto win than doing it without damaging something.

That said, the quirk factor is well worth the price. There's still plenty of them on the street to be snapped up in colourways that don't resemble the aftermath of a children's party. Note the wacky angle the front of the case sits at.

The 7T12 movement itself is from the rock solid, nearly all plastic, 7T series SEIKO introduced in the late 1980's. Say what you will about plastic chronograph movements, but they don't need regular service and just work, until they don't, at which point you simply dispose of the movement and replace it.

Personally, I think the 7T series really is a triumph of pragmatic and rugged engineering. They are serviceable but it's usually not worth the cost if a replacement movement is available. I'd recommend them to anyone. I have several and enjoy all of them.

The 7T12 has the entirely useless 24 hour dial in place of the 0.2s dial on the original, and a calendar. Date only thankfully, and in a position which isn't obnoxious. The 24 hour dial will be useful if you find yourself in space or in a submarine for an extended period of time.

In summary, I'd recommend anyone pick one up if you see one at the right price. Lots of fun!

So I was asked today what I thought about the new

So I was asked today what I thought about the new GS TENTAGRAPH.

I checked it out (it's hard to keep up with the weekly GS Anniversary Limited Editions, so I quit watching), and noted the terribly generic layout of the watch, which reminded me of the VK63, which you can get for under a hundred Aussie Pesos (about 65 US Dollars).

That reminded me that the NE88 and VK63 share the same layout, as all the microbrands interchange them between cases and make a "NE88 Special Reserve Edition" and "VK63 Poverty Pack Edition" for the punters.

So that got me thinking more, what are they using for the chronograph system of the "Tentagraph" movement?

The answer, the bog standard NE88 chronograh module. All 4 plates or so of it which I derided in my Youtube teardown of the NE86 movement for being absurdly thick and shitty.

Link here BTW -

https://youtu.be/GpwIPpzvm_M

So what do you get for your 13k USD?

You get the same crappy chronograph action and feel you can get on any microbrand watch which also uses the NE88. Did I mention how bad the NE series chronograph action is? It really feels horrible and nasty.

On top of that, GRAND SEIKO's stupid policy of not issuing parts so independent repairers can fix the darn things, so they have to go back to Japan, and to be blunt, you really have a turd on your hands.

No innovation or serious engineering here. They've just slapped the shitty NE88 chrono module on to a GS movement train side, handed over the details to the marketing department, and the fan boys are lapping it up!

Why didn't they use this opportunity to design a super slim integrated chrono system like they had in, oh, 1969?

If you really want the feel of the TENTAGRAPH chronograph mechanism without the cost (and accuracy is less important), I've included an image of an INVICTA NE88 equipped watch to be on the lookout for, which sells on clearance for about 11,500 USD less than the TENTAGRAPH. Note the dial layout is the same boring generic shit. But you get diamonds with the INVICTA!

TENTAGRAPH....it's a NO from me dog!

#seikowatches #grandseiko #ne88 #tentagraph #gsfail #grandseikofail

I've always asked myself the question - "How were

I've always asked myself the question - "How were the original precision tools made?"

When you think about it, it's quite remarkable. How do you get a perfectly flat and precise surface without machine tools?

How do you make a precise round item without a lathe?

How do you make the parts of a machine accurate enough, without another machine, to make new precision machines?

A surviving example of the earliest form of industrial lathe is in the Musée des arts et métiers, in Paris.

Made by Jacques Vaucanson in 1751, the lathe was made to solve the problem of making precision copper rollers to press silk to get a moire effect on silk fabric. Turning metal needs a very stable and sturdy machine. Most lathes previously were made partly from wood and not very suitable for turning metal.

It's considered the first known example of a modern lathe and shares many features with modern lathes, including a cross-slide and fitted tool.

Smaller watchmaker's lathes existed for quite some time before that but were only capable of making very small pieces. It would be reasonable to assume some of the parts on the Vaucanson lathe were made by watchmakers.

Pre industrial era watchmaker's lathes were generally a "turns" style lathe that turned metal between centres and powered by a bow.

If your surname is "Turner" then it is likely your ancestors were in the profession of turning poles and wooden shafts in the pre-industrial times.

A good video I watched on the Vaucanson lathe -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djB9oK6pkbA

#watchmaking #horology #vaucanson #vaucansonlathe #precisiontools #machining #metalturning #turning #engineering #metallathe #lathes #lathe #industriallathe #manufacturing #preindustrial #industrialrevolution

Also finished a super nice 6309-7040. It's clearl

Also finished a super nice 6309-7040.

It's clearly actually been used! Not a sock drawer find.

This was such a great watch in every way. A joy to work on!

#seikowatches #seikodivers #diverswatch #seiko6309 #63097040 #vintagedivewatch #seikoturtle #seikorepair #seikorepairs #seikorepairsau #seikorepairsusa #watchrepairsadelaide #watchrepairsaustralia #watchrepairsusa #seikoservice #vintagetimeau #vintagetimeaustralia #vtau #vtaustralia

Just finished the GYRO MARVEL. So nice and such a

Just finished the GYRO MARVEL. So nice and such a clean, classic look.

On the YouTube Video, it was clear the movement had several issues. The solution in the end was to replace the top train plate, which fixed all the issues. Luckily the owner had a spare movement.

#seiko #seikowatches #seikogyromarvel #gyromarvel #vintagetwatches #vintageseiko #watchrepairsadelaide #watchrepairsaustralia #seikorepairsadelaide #seikorepairsaustralia #seikorepairs #seikorepairsusa #horology #watchoftheday #watchmania

Just finished this amazing trio of 7T27 "RAF Gen 2

Just finished this amazing trio of 7T27 "RAF Gen 2" Quartz chronos.

So nice.

The 7T series movements are often looked down on due to being about 90% plastic, but they are a solid performing movement that has a longer than usual service interval due to them using very little lubricant.

They are perfectly serviceable.

#seiko #seikowatches #seiko7T27 #seikoRAF #seikoRAFgen2 #seikorepair #watchrepairsadelaide #adelaidewatchrepairs #watchrepairsau #watchrepairsusa #seikorepair #seikoservice #seikorepairau #seikorepairusa #horology #chronograph #quartzchronograph

The SEIKO 76 series movement is often overlooked b

The SEIKO 76 series movement is often overlooked because it's not one of the hype pieces, but they put it behind some great, classic looking pieces. The dress pieces have dished indexes and the hands are razor sharp.

Little known is that the SEIKO 76 (Sportsmatic) series movement has evolved into the current ORIENT line of movements. That's a genesis from about 1967 until now! Pretty incredible.

#seiko #seikowatches ##seiko7625 #7625 #vintageseiko #vintagewatches #watchrepairs #watchrepairsadelaide #watchrepairsaustralia #horology #watchmania #seikoaddict #seikomania #vintagetimeau #vtau #vtaustralia #vintagetimeaustralia

Just uploaded the teardown video of the GYRO MARVE

Just uploaded the teardown video of the GYRO MARVEL teardown.

Probably won't be in full 4k for a few hours yet, takes a while for YouTube to process the videos.

https://youtu.be/oR6H1wir8b0

#seiko #seikorepairs #watchrepairsadelaide #watchrepairsau #watchrepairsusa #seikorepairsau #seikorepairsusa #seikogyromarvel #gyromarvel #vintagetimeau #vintagetimeaustralia #vtaustralia #vtau #seikowatches #vintageseiko #horology #watchmania #horologymania

Just finished a really nice SEIKO 6105-8110. The

Just finished a really nice SEIKO 6105-8110.

The owner wanted the crystal left alone.

I relumed the hands and matched the dial plot colour pretty well.

#seiko #seikowatches #seikovintage #vintagewatches #watchmania #watchoftheday #seiko6105 #seiko61058110 #seikowillard #willard #seikodiver #vintagediver #horology #watchrepairsadelaide #watchrepairs #watchrepairsau #seikorepairs #seikoservice #vintagetimeaustralia #vtau #vtaustralia

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