King Seiko 36000bph(45XX) vs 28800bph(5626)

Dan S

It's impossible to say what is the most likely reason for +40s timekeeping without more information, any original chronometer certification is irrelevant. Unlikely, but it could even be something as minor as magnetization or debris/oil in the hairspring.

TBH, I think you just need to dive in and start learning by doing, there's only so much you can learn by speculation and superficial measures like overall timekeeping. If you're not comfortable with that watch, buy a different one but accept the fact that there are no guarantees. Once you have bought and sold a dozen watches, you will look back on this thread and have a much different perspective.

Dan S

Yahoo Japan auctions through a proxy bidder are your best bet, but it's a high-risk activity. The listings are automated translations, you can't ask questions, and there are absolutely no returns.

HamDoctor

Proxy agents are sites like buyee, fromjapan or zenmarket. I have been using buyee for the last two years, the only problems I had were with the local customs. But as Dan S said, asking questions and returns are pretty much out of the question.

Dsloan

Thanks for sharing this. I've bought from several Japanese sellers via eBay and Chrono24, and this sounds like fun to explore.

mseamaster

Thanks for all the info everyone. I went crazy, looking at all the auctions/listings for GS/KS, but worst of all I lost the auction for the one I wanted most...(surprisingly it was a 5626 movement, but the esthetics make me want it)

At least I learned about all the movements on vintage KS/GS and how do they relate 😀
Loads of people selling 5626 stars btw.

Also about the gold medallions and the grammar.

As a setback, I bought a Lord Matic, interestingly enough, they use similar 28800 bph movements.

Still on my quest to get a vintage KS/GS - my problem is however that I still can't tell from photos if a watch has been polished or not.

mseamaster

I still haven't got the LM yet(customs and stuff). Quality wise, is really GS > KS >> LM > Lord Marvel, is the quality that different?

I wonder even when they originally came out, was it just about status in Japan? Like the boss would get a GS, managers KS, senior employees LMs and everyone else more basic watches.

Btw when getting stuff from Japan, do you bulk them in one shipment or split? Normally there's no import tax in EU from Japan, only VAT(20%). I am however wondering if the customs would want to screw me if I order a big package of say 1000-2000$(I've never done big orders previously) and try to slap some additional tax or something. You know... just because they can.

mseamaster

Interestingly enough, I saw(based on back inscriptions) that a lot of people received rather ordinary watches for 25 years of service. The only GS I saw like that was from Toshiba. I guess you must be stingy to give a Lord Matic and not at least a KS or so. 😁 Worse even for women, I think they deserve the unisex version too if they work for you for 25 years, whereas it seems they mostly got the short stick(based on seeing small inscribed watches).

Btw being a GS fan too, what's your opinion on GS6X? I shy away from them because the cal is unique, I can't use replacement parts from KS donors or anything. And I don't feel like buying multiple GS6X to serve as donors.

Btw do you have to write complex statements when declaring it to customs? What's the usual process? And which shipping company do you use?

I have ordered from Japan multiple times with UPS/FedEx, but never watches or in bulk. And usually I prepaid the taxes. And it wasn't from proxy service, but from merchants directly.

HamDoctor

Two random thoughts on buying by proxy in Japan:

- Buyee seems to have a shorter storage period than fromjapan (30 days vs. 60). That said, I'm usually impatient enough that this is not an issue ;-)

- When shipping with DHL Express, I go with max. 5 items. I had the problem that I once ordered six items, the shipment got stuck in customs, and DHL only gave them the first page of the content statement, so only five items. Customs wasn't able to complete the process, nobody was to blame, and in the end I communicated with customs directly and gave them the correct info, because DHL Express didn't manage to. So, I'm sticking with five items or less.

5 50kopek

I'm not a movement expert, so I can't give an informed opinion from a service/repair perspective. But you're right that the 61GS can pose some problems in that regard, for example finding a main spring. That said, I'm a big fan of the 61GS. It's a true hi beat movement (36000) and it is a pleasure watching the smooth second hand going round. The only other true hi beat GS is the 45, giving you the choice between hand wound (45) and automatic (61). The 45GS has a rich history, but in my personal opinion the 61GS in it's many variations looks a bit more refined in design than the 45GS (in looks that is, I can't give an opinion on movement quality). My favourite GS is probably the 6146-8000 with the cross hair dial:



I use fromjapan as a proxy for buying. They take care of customs forms etc. and offer several shipping options. I tend to favour DHL Express, because they offer the option to pay import duties while the watch is on it's way, so it never gets stuck in customs. With Fedex International sometimes that option is offered too, and sometimes I get an invoice by mail some time after receiving my package.
So the process is pretty much: bid on and buy what you want through their site, wait for it to show up at their holding facility where they hold it for you for up to 6 weeks or 60 days (I'm not sure), select what you want shipped and what carrier to use, wait a few days and receive your package. It's always worked pretty much flawlessly for me so far. Something like Buyee will probably be the same.