Foxindebox 464 Posted October 31, 2017 Hi Guys, I just wanted to share my latest project with you all. I have finally managed to obtain one of my grail pieces for a very reasonable price. Trouble is, it needs a fair bit of work to put right… This is the watch in question Its a 1968 Seiko 6117-8000 Navigator. I have been after one of these for ages and they rarely come up, or if they do, they are either very expensive or knackered. Fortunately this one falls somewhere in the middle. Here is a bit of history and info on the watch care of the Fratello website “The Seiko Navigator Timer is one of those watches that belong in any vintage Seiko collector’s suite. It’s an absolute classic as far as design with some great colours, presence and functionality. Regarding the last point, like most Seiko’s, the Navigator Timer runs flawlessly. The 6117-8000 is essentially the second generation of GMT watch from Seiko and was introduced in the late 1960’s. The Seiko Navigator Timer features an externally rotating 24-hour bezel much like a Rolex GMT, but in the case of Seiko, it’s not Pepsi-coloured or even black. It’s steel coloured like the case with black writing, which gives it an understated, yet purposeful look. It contains a lume pip at the zero hour and is adorned with serious, business-like font. The stainless case itself is essentially the same as on the 6106-8100 Sport Diver and has a cushion shape with non-hidden lugs. The crown, like most Seiko’s, sits at 4:00. When we move onto the dial, we get some nice changes on the Seiko Navigator Timer versus the Sports Divers. First, you’ll notice that the watch only features a date and no day. While I’d argue that a day would actually be good for a travel watch (how many of you have woken up somewhere around the world not knowing the day??), the watch looks cleaner with the simply date window. Second, you’ll see a cool little red hand with an arrow-shaped tip. This, of course, is the second time zone hand. Much like the early Rolex GMT’s the second time zone hand does not move independently. As one sets the time, the red hand moves forward and essentially runs at half the speed of the normal time hands. This is achieved by linking it to the date wheel function. To indicate a different time zone, one aligns the external bezel to their liking in order to indicate time at home or wherever else. It’s simple and effective. One thing worth mentioning is that the Seiko, unlike the early, and even later Rolex GMT’s, is equipped with a quick-set date function. I can’t tell you how nice and convenient this is, especially for a watch that is used for travel. Date changes are accomplished by turning the crown instead of the typical push-in for other period Seiko’s. Like I said, it’s easy and makes wearing the watch a lot more convenient than some other non quick-set pieces.” So, now on to my one. I bought this from an eBay seller based in Israel, and it is in really good original condition underneath the layers of muck. In fact, I can safely say that there is enough DNA on this watch to clone the original owner... As you can see from the pics (apologies for the poor quality, they were from the eBay listing) the watch is filthy, has a knackered crystal and the bracelet is stretched to hell. I think that I will be able to sort all this out and will detail the process in further posts as I am working on it. I plan on doing a full service of the movement, clean the case, sort the bracelet and change the crystal. I'm super excited about this as it completes my vintage grail Seiko list, and it looks the bollocks too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wriggles 12 Posted October 31, 2017 That Seiko is a stunner. Your seiko is absolutely manky! Jesus Christ, was the owner a competitive mud swimmer? And how in hells name do bracelets get that stretched, was he a morbidly obese competitive mud swimmer Can't wait to see it after you've done it up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 464 Posted October 31, 2017 14 minutes ago, Wriggles said: That Seiko is a stunner. Your seiko is absolutely manky! Jesus Christ, was the owner a competitive mud swimmer? And how in hells name do bracelets get that stretched, was he a morbidly obese competitive mud swimmer Can't wait to see it after you've done it up It will be a challenge but I'm up for it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,747 Posted October 31, 2017 That’s some challenge you got there, plenty of stage by stage pics please, and the best of luck to you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperbMonster 4 Posted October 31, 2017 Internally smuggled comes to mind.... Great project, looking forward to the photo diary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 464 Posted November 4, 2017 Well... it's arrived. I wonder if that much DNA counts as people smuggling? Or if my watch is an illegal immigrant? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Undinist 20 Posted November 4, 2017 Blimey, it's in a bit of a two and eight. I look forward to seeing how you get on. Subscribed! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,748 Posted November 4, 2017 I can smell that watch from here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 464 Posted November 7, 2017 Small update... I took the Bracelet off and disassembled the watch for cleaning (I honestly have NEVER seen a watch that dirty before...) Here are a couple of pics pre-cleaning. The cleaning is now done and the difference is startling! Pics to follow later Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pthurst 1 Posted November 7, 2017 Fab post! Wishing you all the very best with this and look forward to seeing the end result! Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brang1 4,010 Posted November 7, 2017 these babies fetch a princely sum when they are done up. good luck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 464 Posted November 21, 2017 OK, so I’ve made quite a bit of progress. I’ll start with a few pics of the case. As you can see, I’ve removed the crystal (to be replaced with a NOS one and the bezel has had a new spring which makes it tighter than... (insert your own joke here). Looks nice without all the shite on it eh? I’ve decided against polishing the case and hands as I want to keep some of the wabi (patina) to retain originality. Next, some movement pics... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 464 Posted November 21, 2017 So I won’t bother putting up all of the disassembly and reassembley pics, just a few to give you a flavour. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
enkebabtack 0 Posted November 21, 2017 Wow, beautiful watch. And amazing to see your pictures of all the tiny parts that actually makes this watch tick! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Undinist 20 Posted November 21, 2017 2 hours ago, Foxindebox said: I want to keep some of the wabi Come again? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted November 21, 2017 Bloody hell, great effort there! Biggest surprise is how good you managed to get he bezel insert I had thought that was for sure a write off Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 464 Posted November 21, 2017 Taken from the Watch forum ”Wabi - sabi is a core Japanse concept.The sabi part is almost synonym with our ´patina´.The Janaese way is to see sabi as honourable proof of use. Proof of existential value. As it is only acquired through time and use it is highly valuable.We westerners tend to see it as unsightly wear only and with watches it leads to an anal fear for scratches and unquestioned polishing.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 464 Posted November 21, 2017 Still need to do the bracelet but... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted November 21, 2017 That's looking superb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rokerite 2,444 Posted November 21, 2017 You have made a fantastic job there considering the state it was in. Looking forward to seeing pics when you have done the same with the bracelet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 464 Posted November 21, 2017 Thanks very much for the kind words guys. I’ll keep the thread updated with my progress. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted November 21, 2017 Magnificent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheTinMan 13 Posted November 21, 2017 There are some nice aftermarket bracelets around that match the original aesthetic until you fix yours. Beautiful watch and great progress. Congratulations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Griffo 6 Posted November 21, 2017 Damn, great job! Looked like shite before! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites