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Calling Vintage Seiko Experts

  1. Rasputin The Mad Monk of OF Feb 28, 2019

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    I’d like the opinion of the experts regarding the authenticity of this 6105-8110. The bezel and insert on the right were the original ones on the watch. The bezel/insert currently on the watch I believe are genuine but I’m not certain. Correct me if I’m wrong but I am fairly certain the rest of the watch is genuine.

    Side view shows the original bezel on top.
     
    9F5CF054-A85C-4C58-BA61-30C4099BC44F.jpeg 5900C53A-77CB-4C84-820F-0723D1376CBE.jpeg
  2. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Feb 28, 2019

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    What does the production code on the back decode too? I think some of these are proof dials.

    Also is the suwa on the caseback?

    The installed one might be an aftermarket insert on a real bezel.
     
  3. sdre Feb 28, 2019

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    paging @bigsom your area of expertise is needed.
     
  4. asrnj77 Feb 28, 2019

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    Looks pretty good to me but the hands seem to be in very good shape (compared to mine). Either they were extremely well maintained (totally possible) or they are replacements/relume.

    The crystal was clearly replaced so perhaps the whole dial got a relume job at the time
     
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  5. Rasputin The Mad Monk of OF Feb 28, 2019

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    Decodes to May 1977 and Suwa present.
     
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  6. mario linus Mar 1, 2019

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    Nice dial, seems original, I'm not sure of hands and bezel insert (the one currently on the watch) but I could be wrong, I don't like the "3" of 30.
    Anyway the other insert is nice.
     
  7. timestamp Mar 1, 2019

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    Yobokies sells (sold?) a "Patina Insert" that is virtually impossible to distinguish in photos from the real deal. Best way to tell is observing how the light plays on the surface compared to a vintage insert. Another way is to look at the disassembled bezel - the replacement insert is thicker than the original and has a yellow paint spot behind the lume dot.

    Not saying it definitely is one of these, but with an insert this perfect, I think it is likely.
     
    Edited Mar 1, 2019
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  8. timestamp Mar 1, 2019

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    Although not a problem as long as you have the original going with it IMHO.
     
  9. bigsom Mar 1, 2019

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    Both bezels look like period correct seiko.

    Would love a closer shot of the dial with better quality. If the texture of the lume is correct then I'd say the dial, hour, and seconds hands are matched and original. The minute hand may have either been replaced or relumed as it appears slightly brighter but could be a trick of lighting. The hands and dial on the 6105mk2 tend to age very similarly (unlike other seiko divers like the 6159 tuna or the later 6309/6s).

    Here's the texture you're looking for (the lighting makes the hour here look brighter like the minute on your example) :
     
    1551448007071.jpg
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  10. Rasputin The Mad Monk of OF Mar 1, 2019

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    Anyone have photos comparing Yobokies vs genuine insert especially macros of the two?
     
  11. bigsom Mar 1, 2019

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    The yobokies inserts are always changing with every new run.

    In general things that they get wrong are lume pip size, the shape of zero especially in 10 and 50 where originals are slightly more squared off than oval and often they get the rounding of the 5 min hashes wrong and they look too sharp. Also the texture of the silver on the original inserts is heterogenous which the yobokies doesn't do a great job of replicating. You need to have them in hand to see this difference well.

    Here's a photo of yobokies (patina and non patina pip).
     
    IMG_0929.jpg
    Edited Mar 1, 2019
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  12. Waxtactic Mar 8, 2019

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    I believe the hands and the second sweep are original. You can see the patina and the slight degradation of the lume in the batons which is basically standard for this watch after so much time. It's also apparent in the top part of the stop light as well. I unfortunately cannot address the bezel....but I can say I am jealous as I am trying to hunt one of these down.