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Apologies, I know it'll have been asked on here loads of times, but any recommendations for servicing/repairing a Seiko Diver SKX007?
Mine started running really fast (I think after I dropped it), no amount of regulation would sort it, so I took to a local repair guy before Christmas so he could take more of a look at what the problem might be. I've just rung him to find out what's happening with it and he's told me that it's running really fast and no amount of regulation will sort it, so he'll need to take more of a look at what the problem might be...
The usual answer is Steven at Calibre. Dundee or similar IIRC. I've used them a few times and always had A1 service.
For an SKX you just get a new NH36 movement for about thirty five quid and swap it. https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/seiko-kinetic-mechanical-movements
You'll need a new crown and stem too, there are instructions of how you can even DIY on YouTube. It's not hard, just small.
I know that financially and functionally it makes more sense to change the movement, but then it's not the same watch is it? And I know that's daft, but, well, I dunno, it just feels wrong.
Could it have become magnetised? That usually makes things run very fast.
I know that financially and functionally it makes more sense to change the movement,
I'd say it is of the case, face, hands are original and you have the strap it came with, YMMV though. The newer movements have hacking and hand winding too.
I've had all of my watches serviced by David McKane in N.Ireland. Not sure if he's on here, but he's on Retrobike. He loves a Seiko and has always done a great job. And I bought a Seiko diver off him too. Happy to give you his details if you want.
@chipps and @tthew, thanks for the mention chaps.
@IHN It's a common problem with the earlier 7S26 movements where they take a knock and the hair spring gets hooked on the regulator, effectively shortening it and causing it to gain several hours a day. The easiest way to fix it is by slapping the watch dial down on your palm to unhook it, but it doesn't always work and sometimes needs the balance wheel removed and refitted.
Another possibility is that oil has migrated or there's dirt attached to the hair spring and the watch is overdue a service, in which case it's cheaper to fit a NH36. It's an upgraded version of the 7S26 with hacking and hand winding and something I've done to every SKX I've owned, but I also see the attraction of keeping it original when the NH mod is so common these days.
If your repair guy can't sort it you can contact me though here or email me at Dave at benchdweller.uk.
This place is great, innit?
It's a common problem with the earlier 7S26 movements where they take a knock and the hair spring gets hooked on the regulator, effectively shortening it and causing it to gain several hours a day
I think this is what has probably happened, I did drop it putting it on, and it was one of those times when you manage to drop something thing much harder than it would seem possible to do?
Anyway, thanks for the advice, I'll see what the fella says next week
For the Zenith El Primero fans amongst us. It's very blue...
Is the blue case and strap due to the photography, or is it genuinely that colour?
it's very much blue, and very much $25K
Which is a lot of money obvs, but even moreso considering a bright blue watch is unlikely to be your only one. I'd have to sell every watch I own to afford it, and it's not a GADA.
It's that colour. I won't be rushing out to get on the list.
Nah, not keen. Will probably look dated quite quickly.
Boblo - Er, no thank you very much.
Is the blue case and strap due to the photography, or is it genuinely that colour?
That’s Zenith’s house colour, and the case and bracelet are all ceramic. Apparently, making ceramic cases etc in a specific colour that’s consistent is incredibly difficult, and requires months of work and research to achieve; that and the quality of the calibre is why it’s so expensive.
TBH, when you compare that watch with many of the ghastly designs that footballers, rappers etc wear, and the insane price they’re willing to pay, I’d be more than happy to wear the Zenith - I just need a significant lottery win to be able to afford it!
Was idly watching a YT vid of an IWC Ingenieur being put together. Nobody thought to spell check the engraving on the bridge?
It'd bug me even if it didn't have an exhibition case back. 
Fourty Six 🙂 🙂
Ouch! That's making my teeth itch... Perhaps it's to show how truly-handmade it is? 🤣
Not much of a comparison to some but...
G-Shock for work
Forerunner 35 for, erm running
Oris BC3 for everyday
Tag Monaco best
Big of a hijack but any recommendations for a Tag Monaco service provider, the stopwatch has stopped working so full service required, quote from Tag was £525. GULP.
Try Genesis ...
My Omega hadn't be serviced for 20 years - he did a good job and was considerably cheaper that Omega
www.genesiswatchmaking.co.uk
Hi All
I inherited a 1976 stainless steel Rolex datejust from my grandfather.
Im looking to sell it to, but the question is where. I have had an offer from Watchfinder but I don’t like the idea of sending it to them and then being haggled down.
I’ve heard Chrono 24 is a good place to sell, but I’d welcome people’s thoughts?
I have the box and papers. The watch was a daily wear for my grandfather and he worked in agriculture, so it has patina. I had it serviced 4 years ago and it is running and keeping time.
I love those super-rounded cases. I have a Tudor Oyster Prince from my grandfather and the case has just the right contours. Can't be doing with an angular case! I'd recommend putting some better pics on here and you'll probably find a buyer 🙂
Hope someone on the forum bites, that's lovely. I have its younger sibling from 2004 with the same champagne dial, which I barely wear since smashing the crystal on the bathroom tiles, subsequent repair was spendy. Also has the hidden clasp jubilee which is annoying and snags on clothing, popping open. Considering getting an Uncle jubilee for it, with the pressed steel clasp It deserves more wrist time.
Thanks @bob_summers. This has seen some wear but the crystal is original, but acrylic from what I understand, so less likely to crack than sapphire crystal, but very prone to scratches.
@walowiz, feel free to PM me an offer.
Thanks @bob_summers. This has seen some wear but the crystal is original, but acrylic from what I understand, so less likely to crack than sapphire crystal, but very prone to scratches.
@walowiz, feel free to PM me an offer.
I would t know where to start @kibster.
but acrylic from what I understand, so less likely to crack than sapphire crystal, but very prone to scratches.
Polywatch is very good for getting scratches off Rolex acrylic and only about four quid a tube.
A little update on my Ti Helm Vanuatu
So like, a week after the warranty period ended, my watch started rattling and losing time. Matt at Helm very kindly agreed to have the watch fixed/serviced so off it flew from Aus back to the States, where Stoll fixed it and zero cost to me. Yay. ?
About a week after getting it back the bezel just decided it wasn't goint to work properly. I don't dive. Don't use the bezel. But it developed significant back play and was rough as hell. But I decided it was OK, just be careful, at least the watch holds time and was "fixed".
Last week I was walking through a store and I could hear a tapping rattle sound. Was coming from my watch - like a rattley metallic sound. Figured the winder weight had again come dislodged.
So sent an email to Matt again. Said that I was expecting an engineer style watch with a Seiko movement to be a little more solid than this has been. Was expecting it to be my daily, and probably outlast me! I suggested I could get a new movement fitted at my own cost, but I was disappointed to have to do this. He suggested just replacing the whole thing and would I be happy with that?
Yesterday, email sent with tracking number and new watch should be with me in a week or so.
So not ideal, but hopefully this one will last more than a couple of years! (I still have the old one, I may get it fixed with a new movement, depending on costs involved. I'm happy that Helm are kindly helping out.
What movement is it aphex? I've got a 6R35 that's been back 3 times. First time the winding rotor came loose then it had to go twice to get regulated. The first regulation was done by the vendor rather than being sent to Seiko I suspect, but somewhat disappointing. Solid enough performance now.
In your case a whole new watch well out of warranty seems to be quite a generous offer.
That ol' workhorse the NH35!
I think if this was the first issue they might not have been so willing. But the same issues again as the first time I sent it in....
Fingers crossed this one lasts a little longer.
Well blow me. Postie tried to deliver yesterday but I was at work. 4 days from US to Aus!
Picked up a brand new Helm Vanuatu watch from the parcel depot. Matt said he'd replace this which was super good of him. Full boxed with all the cards / warranty info and pressure test info. He even sent me a new goldy-brown nylon strap which wasn't expected.
Yeah it's a bit shitty that it broke (twice) but kudos to Matt / Helm for organising a replacement and being so nice about it all. Will see if this one can last a little longer. In fact, I was on the waitlist to order one for longer than that actual watch lasted before it went for it's first repair.
A not-so-stealthy ad....
If anyone fancies buying a Ti Helm Vanuatu that needs a little work, drop me a PM. Without opening it, I think the rotor weight needs re-attaching and the bezel needs popping off and reseating. Note, this is just the watch, no strap. It's still ticking and still works if you hand wind it. Wouldn't be a huge cost to get it perfect again. Hundred quid + postage.
Enough of the cheap stuff, let's have some exotica
Rummaging through the watch box last week I came across a watch I'd not with for years as it had a broken strap. One new strap later, and a bit of nifty bodging to get it to fit, I give you the World's Best Watch But On A 20mm NATO 
Good, eh?
Has anyone got a Sternglas?
Liking the look of this but I've never heard of them (not that I know that much about watches).
Marus 2.0 black – sternglas.com
That's a really nice looking watch. Solid movement too (Seiko NH35), but I dunno if £500 is a bit over-priced for an NH35-based watch? It's a movement that used a lot by these kind of "boutique quality at more affordable price" watch builders (because it's solid) but NH35-based watches from other ones are generally around the £100-£200 mark.
But, it's your money, if you like then go for it.
I just like the look of it.
That's as good a reason as any. If the build quality is as good as they say then you certainly won't be buying a lemon
Original plan was to get this:
Seiko Automatic Diver's 200m SKX009 SKX009J1 SKX009J Watch
But I think the Sternglas looks better and I've already got several "Dive" type watches.
I mean, I think that Seiko is a stone-cold design classic, but I am a bit of a Seiko fan. If you prefer the look of the Sternglas then don't let my nerdiness sway you 🙂
Me too. Got a Prospex Speedtimer on right now.
Seen these? SEIKO PROSPEX SPEEDTIMER DATSUN 240Z Limited Edition | Seiko Watch Corporation
I'll be honest, they're a bit busy for my tastes. If they came out with a Datsun Cherry version though I'd be all over it 😉