Seiko 8M25 - anyone know where I can get it serviced?

[RobCh]

I have an old (early 1990s) and treasured Seiko 6M25-6000 multi-function "dancing hands" watch which I would like to get properly serviced, as it occasionally jumps between functions. I have tried various firms which claim to service vintage Seikos but none of them is prepared/able to service this model. It is a complex movement by all accounts, so I can well believe it needs a specialist, and over 20 years on these may be hard to find. Does anyone have any recent experience of getting the 6M25 motor serviced, or recommendations of where I might try? All suggestions appreciated.

Edited by RobCh on Tuesday 8th October 20:37

Edited by RobCh on Tuesday 8th October 20:40

[E24man]

Get a reputable jeweller to send it away to a Seiko repairer; I have a collection of similar mechanisms with two or three that have been repaired.

[Ev_]

Or send it direct to Seiko UK for an estimate and/or repair (they're quite reasonable).

Here's the link.

[13aines]

You just made me google the watch... I found this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H5cKYU3laU

Now I DESPERATELY want one!

What a wicked bit of kit... yes, quartz, but very innovative IMHO.

[RobCh]

Ev_ said:

Or send it direct to Seiko UK for an estimate and/or repair (they're quite reasonable).

Here's the link.

Thanks Ev. I'd visited the site and contacted Premier Watches as I assumed this would count as a vintage watch; they said they couldn't handle it, hence my enquiry here. This time I did the obvious thing (doh..) and rang Seiko Service and they said it was still a model they could handle. So off it's going tomorrow. It will be good to have it back doing its thing - hands running backwards (on purpose) are always fun to watch.

[Variomatic]

I'm quite surprised no-one except Seiko wanted to take this on for you.

It [i]is[i] a complicated movement in terms of operation, but most of that complication is built into the circuit. The trains are far simpler than most "traditional" 2- or 3-eye chronos thanks to the innovative design. Parts availability is poor, but mechanical parts aren't usually needed on quartz stuff that hasn't suffered actual damage (water ingress etc)and that all-important circuit is still available.

Makes you wonder how many of the big "servicing / repair" companies have gone over to movement replacement rather than actually servicing the existing movement and won't touch anything where they can't get a complete replacement

[E24man]

They are fascinating watches even now, and were ahead of their time when they came out.

I have six in total;

6M13 Perpetual Calendar
6M15 World Timer
6M23 Intelligent Calendar
6M37 Yacht Timer
8M15 Alarm and 24hr clock
8M23 Chronograph

This is a good page for a lot of the calibres of that era...

http://home.comcast.net/~b10001/seiko_AOD.html

[13aines]

E24man, let me know if you ever would like to sell one - I love these quirky quartz Seikos, and desperately want to get my hands on one.

[E24man]

There's a 6M37 Yacht timer on the dreaded By at the moment, finishing later today; and an 8M32 multi-sports timer for a very reasonable price.

Edited by E24man on Friday 11th October 07:05

[13aines]

Can't find the Yacht Timer, even in completed listings.

The 8M32 - are you referring to the Olympic one? If so, unfortunately it's broken

Would the Olympic 8M-32 have exactly the same features as the 6M-25?

[RobCh]

13aines said:

Can't find the Yacht Timer, even in completed listings.

The 8M32 - are you referring to the Olympic one? If so, unfortunately it's broken

Would the Olympic 8M-32 have exactly the same features as the 6M-25?

This 6M25 is on ebay at the moment at a reasonable price. Description's a bit vague as to working order, but they offer a return policy.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gents-Vintage-Seiko-Quar...

[E24man]

The Yacht Timer seems to have completely disappeared - it was due to end at about 4pm today.

[13aines]

Yes, seen that, very vague. They have offered it for £70 buy it now though... still sitting at £39 though.

But i'm not sure I can justify it now, got too many bills coming in at once and struggling

Aghhh. WANT IT!

[E24man]

The yacht timer has now appeared in the completed listings; it went for £144.

[pathfinderhciuk]

Hi there,

Did you have any joy from Seiko with the watch?

I have one of these, exactly the same as your photo, bought it in Oman in the early 90's. It was fine until about 6 years ago when the selector hand fell off. I sent it to Seiko and they returned it saying thay didn't fix them anymore !!

Hopefully they have a new engineer who can.

I would love to get mine repaired and working again, the watch is a bit of class.

Let me know how you get on

Cheers

[Spice_Weasel]

13aines said:

You just made me google the watch... I found this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H5cKYU3laU

Now I DESPERATELY want one!

What a wicked bit of kit... yes, quartz, but very innovative IMHO.

Me too! Can't understand why I have never heard of these before. That video clip is superb.

[RobCh]

pathfinderhciuk said:

Hi there,

Did you have any joy from Seiko with the watch?

I have one of these, exactly the same as your photo, bought it in Oman in the early 90's. It was fine until about 6 years ago when the selector hand fell off. I sent it to Seiko and they returned it saying thay didn't fix them anymore !!

Hopefully they have a new engineer who can.

I would love to get mine repaired and working again, the watch is a bit of class.

Let me know how you get on

Cheers

It's now serviced and on its way back to me, according to Seiko, but I'm away from home for a week so won't be able to see it until next Friday. Will post a pic then and report on how it's going.

[pathfinderhciuk]

Great news,

I'll have a look soon, hope it all works.

Cheers

[RobCh]

Watch is now back and all seems well, with all functions working as they should. Standard overhaul and service, which appears to have involved the replacement of some small components. £96 and worth it.