Broken 20 yr old Seiko quartz chrono - worth repairing?

[AcidReflux]

Raiding my watch drawer I've just discovered my 20 year-old Seiko quartz chrono alarm. Photo:



The time adjustment crown and shaft pulls right out of the case. I can still adjust the date but not the time. I assume it would still work if a new battery were fitted but I'm not sure.

Given the nature of the problem, do you reckon a watch like this would be worth repairing?

Edited by AcidReflux on Wednesday 2nd June 17:41

[andy_s]

I've exactly the same one that's also been lurking in my drawers. I also just had a 20yr old Sports 100 serviced after sitting for about in a drawer for 15yrs.
The service was about 6 weeks and £60, it works as new now. The 200 will have to wait but I'd think it'd be easily and relatively cheaply serviced.
The 100 was quite sentimental but the 200 not so much, so it'll probaly lie around for another few years.
I don't think there's much value as such, but it'll cost you nothing to send it off and get a quote.

[AcidReflux]

Thanks Andy. Where did you send yours for service? Does Seiko offer this service or should I find a local watchmaker?

[andy_s]

I took it to the local high street jewellers, they're a Seiko dealer and sent it on to them. I was particular about them not polishing or removing scratches on the watch, and to leave the bezel as-is. He smiled and assured me that wouldn't happen on a battery change and check-up. It came back unchanged but working well. I'll stick some pics up later, god knows I need the practise.

[AcidReflux]

andy_s said:

I took it to the local high street jewellers, they're a Seiko dealer and sent it on to them.

OK - thanks. I've found Seiko's service page:
http://www.seikoservice.co.uk/srv402.jsp?parmForm=...
I think I'll contact them direct and ask for a quote.

[HellDiver]

Good thread, let me know how it goes. I've a similar watch, same problem. 15 years of daily use sort of killed it, but it was an 18th b'day present, so I'd like to get it fixed up.

[andy_s]

(In the background is the issue version of the same watch. The South African Air Force issued the civilian version to their pilots, perhaps because of the bezel).

[AcidReflux]

I've just phoned and spoken to a lovely woman at Seiko, who took the 7T42-6A00 model number from my watch and immediately said that it's a group C watch on their service page, they can repair/service it, and would charge £89.90.

eeek. Having just bought a new watch I'm not sure I can justify that much at the moment but it's good to know they can do it when I'm ready.

Edited by AcidReflux on Thursday 3rd June 17:00

[AcidReflux]

Out of curiosity I just Googled these watches. Creation Watches are selling a Seiko with similar functionality for £120. Perhaps there's a catch but if not then that's got to be better value than a £90 repair on a scruffy old one.

[andy_s]

It was the sentimental value more than anything for me, as I say, value-wise, there's little in it.

[ShadownINja]

AcidReflux said:

Given the nature of the problem, do you reckon a watch like this would be worth repairing?

If you know what you're doing, it's an easy repair, I've been told (I have the same problem on another watch). The person who told me spoke in Hebrew or Lithuanian when explaining in detail what needs to be done and it is apparently easy. Well, maybe it was English but it might as well have been foreign...

He sent me a page from some horological training site. I stared at it intently for an hour, then decided that I'll sell the watch for parts.

Edited by ShadownINja on Thursday 3rd June 18:02