Where to get a Seiko 5 repaired?

Where to get a Seiko 5 repaired?

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Discussion

Sagacitas

Original Poster:

290 posts

216 months

Sunday 29th November 2009
quotequote all
I bought a Seiko 5 from Amazon in the US earlier this year (I wasn't able to find the one I wanted in the UK).

However it now has now stopped working, appears that the counterbalance that makes it wind itself is scrapping along the side of the case. As I bought it off the internet from the US I'm not sure where to take it for a warranty repair. I suspect paying for a repair would cost more than I paid for the watch. frown

Any suggestions?

Richard

JohnnyE

55 posts

174 months

Sunday 29th November 2009
quotequote all
I'm about to send my old Seiko Chrono here: http://www.rytetimewatchrepairs.co.uk/

No obligation quote - just pay for the postage.

petecoll

108 posts

219 months

Sunday 29th November 2009
quotequote all
It may just require the rotor to be re-tightened - an easy job if you have the right size screwdriver, and if you can get the back off of course.

Pete

cyberface

12,214 posts

257 months

Sunday 29th November 2009
quotequote all
If you're interested in watches then this is an excellent opportunity to have a go yourself at repairing it.

Sounds like the screw that holds the winding rotor bearing has come loose. The bearing itself is unlikely to have failed. The basic requirements for messing about with watches are a caseback opener (can't do much without opening the watch - some can be flicked open with a watchmaker's knife but most waterproof watches are screwed on these days), decent fine screwdrivers (which are useful for other tasks, e.g. fixing computers or other electronic equipment), and decent tweezers (pretty much a watch-only purchase). You can get a cheap Chinese tool 'kit' for all the other bits and bobs like springbars, springbar 'poker' (can't think of the real name for that tool!), split-pin tool, loupe, fine pliers, polishing cloths etc.

Depending on the type of Seiko 5 you have, you'll need the right type of caseback opener. One that does them all except Rolex backs is handy to have, called a 'Jaxa' IIRC - looks like this:


This will get the back off and let you see the damage. If it's just a loose screw, then the cost of the repair is your time and the caseback tool (anything from cheap Chinese stuff to expensive Swiss Bergeon tools)...

Sagacitas

Original Poster:

290 posts

216 months

Monday 30th November 2009
quotequote all
I have ordered a Rolson Tool 59230 kit (£8.53) from Amazon so will give the DIY repair approach a go.

Richard

Sagacitas

Original Poster:

290 posts

216 months

Saturday 5th December 2009
quotequote all
Sagacitas said:
I have ordered a Rolson Tool 59230 kit (£8.53) from Amazon so will give the DIY repair approach a go.

Richard
Kit arrived yesterday. No instructions so had to simply figure it out. Not that hard really. Turns out it was a simple job to tighten up the screw holding the rotor. Did the fix last night and wore the watch for about an hour before bedtime. This morning the watch is still running! smile

Actually quite a good feeling having fixed it. Half wondering when it will break again so that I can have another go. Might buy another watch so that I can explore this one more.

Does this mean I have been bitten by the bug?

Richard

andy_s

19,400 posts

259 months

Saturday 5th December 2009
quotequote all
Good for you, nice way to sort it out.

ShadownINja

76,362 posts

282 months

Saturday 5th December 2009
quotequote all
Nice going!!

ShadownINja

76,362 posts

282 months

Saturday 5th December 2009
quotequote all
Sagacitas said:
Might buy another watch so that I can explore this one more.
Send me an email. I've got a couple that I'm sure we can do a good deal on. One basic automatic and one with complications.