Seiko needs TLC

[Simpo Two]

Hi folks,

After 32 years' service my trusty Seiko Quartz is in trouble. It was an 18th birthday present from my father so I'm keen to fix it pretty much regardless of cost.

A few weeks ago it began stopping for short periods of time and this has gradually worsened to the point where it stopped completely. The battery has been checked and is fine. I found that by unscrewing the back a tiny bit it would start, but now seems totally dead. The local watch guy has done his best but thinks it's an intermittent fault with the PCB. He said that if I really wanted to get it going again, it might be possible to fit a new movement.

So I think it needs to go to a Seiko expert. Any recommendations please?

[Mr Pointy]

Try these places:

KKH Services
http://www.kkhservices.co.uk/

Premier Watches
http://www.vintageseikorepair.co.uk/

Or the Seiko repair center in Maidenhead:
http://www.seikoservice.co.uk/srv402.jsp?parmForm=...

[Frik]

Mr Pointy said:

Or the Seiko repair center in Maidenhead:
http://www.seikoservice.co.uk/srv402.jsp?parmForm=...

very pleased with the service from them.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks for the info - I contacted a couple yesterday.

Seiko say 'Due to the age of the watch it is likely that many parts will no longer be available and also, the cost to repair older watches may be considered to be uneconomical due to the amount of time required.'

As cost is not an issue I will have a chat and see what can be done!


NB: Premier just said: 'We can repair this watch. Please send watch for an estimate.' - but imply they might use non-Seiko parts.

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 21st December 10:17

[bry1975]

Also worth trawling ebay as they sell TONS of Seiko digitals all eras.

[Simpo Two]

You mean for parts?

[bry1975]

Yes or for a working movement.

[Simpo Two]

Good idea. Unfortunately I can't tell which ones have the correct movement/one that will suit. So I plan to send it to Seiko after Christmas rather than rick it in the postal rush. A pity it won't be working for Christmas but I shall just have to keep changing the time on it!

[Oakey]

Thanks for this thread, saves me starting my own. My Seiko Kinetic my father bought me for my 21st which has served me well for nearly ten years has started to lose time overnight. Google suggests the capacitor / li-ion battery needs replacing. Hopefully one of the above can sort it.

[ClareA]

Simpo Two, I'd just like to endorse what Erik said about Seiko's service. I have a watch with them at the moment, it's a discontinued model, but they've offered a replacement at a slightly higher value of the price the repair would have cost.

[Frik]

Who's Erik?

[Simpo Two]

ClareA said:

Simpo Two, I'd just like to endorse what Erik said about Seiko's service. I have a watch with them at the moment, it's a discontinued model, but they've offered a replacement at a slightly higher value of the price the repair would have cost.

Do you mean a whole new watch? I don't want a new watch, I want the old one fixed even if it costs more than a new one. I need to explore every avenue.

[NDA]

You could try contacting Seiko... I used to know Rob quite well years ago, very nice chap. Perhaps drop him a note?

SEIKO UK Limited
SC House
Vanwall Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 4UW

Tel: [phone]

Marketing Manager: Mrs Kirsten Crisford
Seiko Sales Manager: Nick Jackson
Technical Support Manager: Rob Wilson

[Hoofy]

Can you buy the same watch off ebay and swap out the movement? Actually, post up a pic of the watch. The movement was probably used in a dozen models at the time.

Oakey said:

Thanks for this thread, saves me starting my own. My Seiko Kinetic my father bought me for my 21st which has served me well for nearly ten years has started to lose time overnight. Google suggests the capacitor / li-ion battery needs replacing. Hopefully one of the above can sort it.

I was going to suggest it was the rechargeable battery flux capacitor.

[Simpo Two]

NDA said:

You could try contacting Seiko...

Thanks NDA, yep that's the plan (see above). Might do some name-dropping as well!

Hoofy said:

Can you buy the same watch off ebay and swap out the movement? Actually, post up a pic of the watch. The movement was probably used in a dozen models at the time.

Well the model is 7123-8140, and it's very similar, but not identical to, eBay 140660593332. However I didn't want to rush out and buy it until Seiko have given a diagnosis/opinion; it may be wrong or may not need it. Mine isn't a 'Type 2' whatever that means.

There will be an answer, it will just take a little time and patience

[NDA]

Simpo Two said:

Well the model is 7123-8140, and it's very similar, but not identical to, eBay 140660593332. However I didn't want to rush out and buy it until Seiko have given a diagnosis/opinion; it may be wrong or may not need it. Mine isn't a 'Type 2' whatever that means.

There will be an answer, it will just take a little time and patience

PM me and I'll give you Rob's email address and a sentence for introduction that might oil the wheels..... He's a helpful guy and I know if they can fix it, they will.

[Hoofy]

The movement is likely the same for many Seiko quartz watches of that era so no need to buy a "rare" watch. Have you got a picture of the movement with the back off? Can you identify the movement number?

[Simpo Two]

NDA said:

PM me and I'll give you Rob's email address and a sentence for introduction that might oil the wheels..... He's a helpful guy and I know if they can fix it, they will.

Many thanks, will make sure he gets a mail tomorrow

Hoofy said:

The movement is likely the same for many Seiko quartz watches of that era so no need to buy a "rare" watch. Have you got a picture of the movement with the back off? Can you identify the movement number?

I'm not a 'watch tog' but this may suffice:



The only visible marking says '7123A'. I'd rather not dig any further as it's too damn small!

[Hoofy]

That is the movement number/calibre.

Here's an interesting thread: http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic...

Bry1975 is the same one who uses this forum.

[NDA]

There's no battery in it.

HTH