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My uncle’s watch- how much is it worth? Is it a Speedmaster?
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Syrte
·Good Morning Jimbo and Syrte and others.
What a nice introduction to the day, an "UncleWatch" thread with a nice watch for a change.
As noted, the watch is a very nice 6309-7049 made for the North American market in June 1978. Japan and ROW market watches were identical but marked 6309-7040.
It all looks to be completely original (bracelet excluded) and has a very clean "Suwa" dial (the Suwa mark just below the 150m). These were used up until about 1980, then the Suwa mark wasn't used on the dial.
The condition is excellent and would take very little to bring it up to "NOS" 😁.
Calling @omegaswisst, I'm sure you like to see this one mate 😉.
Edit: No need for your Uncle to open it, here's one I prepared earlier.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/on-my-bench-a-turtle.102070/
What does this “suwa” stand for?
It is an interesting symbol.
Thanks @Foo2rama too, now I’m afraid if I tell him all that he will be very tempted to sell it. Damn.
@timoss, so grateful someone’s been paying attention - thanks for the ID and finally an honest opinion 😁
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JimInOz
··Melbourne Australia...........What does this “suwa” stand for?
It is an interesting symbol.....................
The history of Seiko is very complicated and there have been many name changes/mergers/de-mergers of the various Seiko entities since the company was founded.
The "Suwa" is the mark of one of the Seiko factories.
Both the Suwa factory, and the other one from that period, the Daini factory used the stylised "S" (for Seiko) symbol on dials and cases.
Here's a couple of mine.
A 6117-6400 "World Time" with a Suwa logo.
And a 7005-7130 with a Daini logo.
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Foo2rama
··Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...Suwa is the Japanese factory it was made in. Watches in that period had a dani or suwa denoting which factory.
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omegaswisst
·Good Morning Jimbo and Syrte and others.
What a nice introduction to the day, an "UncleWatch" thread with a nice watch for a change.
As noted, the watch is a very nice 6309-7049 made for the North American market in June 1978. Japan and ROW market watches were identical but marked 6309-7040.
It all looks to be completely original (bracelet excluded) and has a very clean "Suwa" dial (the Suwa mark just below the 150m). These were used up until about 1980, then the Suwa mark wasn't used on the dial.
The condition is excellent and would take very little to bring it up to "NOS" 😁.
Calling @omegaswisst, I'm sure you like to see this one mate 😉.
Edit: No need for your Uncle to open it, here's one I prepared earlier.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/on-my-bench-a-turtle.102070/
Well said Jim.
As mentioned this is an early model produced in June 1978 (production is said to have started in 1976 and ran to 1988). The SUWA dialled versions maybe a little more desirable for some collectors.
This reference hits the sweet spot for many collectors as it remains a relatively affordable entry into the world of vintage Seiko divers with iconic styling and a robust movement.
The case has the wider cut out around the crown associated with these earlier models and also has correct wide spline crown.
It looks like the upper surfaces of the case still retain some of the original circular brushed finish and there are no major dents or scratches. The case back still has the frosting around the upper portion of the tsunami wave (often this is polished out or just wears away with use).
The bezel and bezel insert are correct for this model as are the hands with the typical grainy lume. The hands appear in very good condition as many times the lume can get black mouldy spots on it and the chrome tarnishes. Often they are swapped out with after market hands.
The dial is correct and the dial text "water" and "resist" start off as dark red then fade to green then silver/white with UV exposure (sorry I can't tell if yours is red or green - blame my red/green colour blindness).
Your uncle's watch appears to be all original in very good overall condition and ticks all the boxes many collectors require.
I would think unserviced around USD $450-$550 and maybe around $600 from the right buyer.
In an eBay bidding war maybe more again.
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eugeneandresson
·Well…now that it’s in your possession, I guess it has become an AuntieWatch…quite a unique thing I’d say…
Edit: ps: I believe SUWA stands for ‘Seiko is Ultimate Watch for Auntie’…
Edit: ps: I believe SUWA stands for ‘Seiko is Ultimate Watch for Auntie’…
Edited:
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timecube
·The dial is correct and the dial text "water" and "resist" start off as dark red then fade to green then silver/white with UV exposure (sorry I can't tell if yours is red or green - blame my red/green colour blindness).
Colour in RGB is approximately #7C6349
It appears a dull, dark, reddish-brown to me.
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JimInOz
··Melbourne AustraliaYes, I think they were originally brighter red that went to a dull red or brown, and then various colours. I've seen a few of each variant from red all the way to silvery white.
Here is my 7049 from August 1980.
Still retaining some of the frosting that @omegaswisst noted.
A closer look at the WATER150mRESIST shows that mine has gone a green/khaki shade.
Here is my 7049 from August 1980.
Still retaining some of the frosting that @omegaswisst noted.
A closer look at the WATER150mRESIST shows that mine has gone a green/khaki shade.
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padders
··Oooo subtitles!These Feikos are the worst Speedmaster redial/recase jobs I have ever seen. Is there some Far East factory churning these out? Omega should put a stop to it, it seems everyone has one. Even me!
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AAAKK
·My NOS one still retains the red print. Sort of hard to capture with a pic but to the naked eye it's red
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noelekal
··Home For Wayward WatchesWhy I never knew I had two Speedmasters since I have one of these too!
I just want to be in Syrte's thread. Mine's an ol' 1983 6309 7040. No Suwa dial, faded out markings and ugly numeral plots, probably not the original bezel, perhaps not the original hands either. Still has its original GL 831 strap though.
I just want to be in Syrte's thread. Mine's an ol' 1983 6309 7040. No Suwa dial, faded out markings and ugly numeral plots, probably not the original bezel, perhaps not the original hands either. Still has its original GL 831 strap though.
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Syrte
·Thank you @omegaswisst for your very thorough explanation and analysis - and @JimInOz for the nice and educational close up pictures.
I am impressed you can date my uncle’s watch so precisely to June 1978. May I ask what allows you to date it so precisely even to the month?
Looks like it’s been well worn and well “loved” @noelekal and I’m glad I was able to add a speedmaster to your collection 👍
@AAAKK what a beautifully pristine example, thanks for sharing it !
I am impressed you can date my uncle’s watch so precisely to June 1978. May I ask what allows you to date it so precisely even to the month?
Why I never knew I had two Speedmasters since I have one of these too!
I just want to be in Syrte's thread. Mine's an ol' 1983 6309 7040. No Suwa dial, faded out markings and ugly numeral plots, probably not the original bezel, perhaps not the original hands either. Still has its original GL 831 strap though.
My NOS one still retains the red print. Sort of hard to capture with a pic but to the naked eye it's red
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Dan S
·In Speedmaster terms, the 6309 would be the Moonwatch, and the 6105-8110 would be the pre-moon "turtle" (a.k.a. the "Captain Willard" watch from Apocalypse Now). 😉
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omegaswisst
·Hi @Syrte
The first two digits in the serial number on the case back are a date code.
The first digit is the year and the second digit the month. It is thought the remaining digits are a production number for that month.
You also need to know what years a particular watch is produced to calculate the decade. Your uncle's watch model was produced from around 1976 to 1988 but the case design and dial indicate it was an early model so must have been made in the 70s.
In your case the serial the first two digits of 86xxxxx indicate 1978 and June.
When the second digit is the letter N the month is November and D for December.
The first two digits in the serial number on the case back are a date code.
The first digit is the year and the second digit the month. It is thought the remaining digits are a production number for that month.
You also need to know what years a particular watch is produced to calculate the decade. Your uncle's watch model was produced from around 1976 to 1988 but the case design and dial indicate it was an early model so must have been made in the 70s.
In your case the serial the first two digits of 86xxxxx indicate 1978 and June.
When the second digit is the letter N the month is November and D for December.
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JimInOz
··Melbourne AustraliaMany Seikos of the period also has a small rubber stamp mark on the back of the dial indicating the manufactured date of the dial.
Often used as a guide to originality of all parts of a watch, or to identify an aftermarket dial.
Often used as a guide to originality of all parts of a watch, or to identify an aftermarket dial.
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CPRwatch
·I’ve just bought this watch for one reason only , to be part of this thread . Chapter ring is off centre , but no worries about that , the bezel ,dial & insert looks like the real deal & hopefully I should have it by the weekend.
