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Parts Account only Parts: the death of some watches

ErichKeane
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SO I finally ran into my first parts-account-lacking causing me problems. I picked up a Grand Seiko with a 9S55 in need of repair. The watch itself is worth ~$1500, and I paid most of that for it, figuring it just needed a couple simple things.

BUT, I tore it apart and realized it is a bit worse off than I thought. The previous watchmaker broke the dial feet off, and removed the broken part of the setting lever spring before dial-dotting the dial back on, and packaging it back up (then not tightening the rotor down correctly, which is what i THOUGHT was wrong with it...).

SO Now I have a quandry: I have a watch that even fixed up is worth ~$1500. IF I could get parts, I'd replace the dial feet and get it working well enough to wear and enjoy. However, since no parts are available/possible for me to get, my only option is a $1000+ trip to the Seiko service center ($800 just for the service, plus shipping + whatever it costs for the dial they are going to make me buy)... for a watch that is at best worth not much more than that.

Good money after bad, or just toss it in a drawer and cry about what i already spent are my options :/
 
Dan S
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I thought that dial feet were just pieces of the correct diameter bar/wire stock, soldered to the back of the dial.
 
ErichKeane
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Dan S Dan S
I thought that dial feet were just pieces of the correct diameter wire stock, soldered to the back of the dial.
They pretty much are? I have a kit to epoxy new ones onto the back that I like better than trying to re-solder, since it doesn't require heating the dial. BUT that is unfortunately irrelevant since I can't get the setting lever spring.
 
redpcar
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I have a drawer full of watches with notes on them of what work / parts needed. They are totaled today but who knows in the future as values rise or I come across the needed parts they will be completed. Some of them are my doinks. Some arrived doinked.
 
Dan S
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Got it, the setting lever spring is the issue.
 
Dan S
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If you know the part number, or even what it looks like, post it. I bet you'll find one.
 
ErichKeane
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I posted in a few places, hoping someone can come to my rescue, but I'm guessing not. My only picture is of the broken piece missing part of it, but here's my picture. There aren't even service manuals available for these unfortunately. I doubt I'll find the part @Dan S but I can hope 😀

1772158175943.webp
 
ErichKeane
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redpcar redpcar
I have a drawer full of watches with notes on them of what work / parts needed. They are totaled today but who knows in the future as values rise or I come across the needed parts they will be completed. Some of them are my doinks. Some arrived doinked.
Kinda hoping to avoid adding something this expensive to that drawer! Its by far my most expensive watch worked on (so far!), so failure hurts that much harder 😀
 
redpcar
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This is your watch that you intend to keep? Re-install the broken spring, dial dot that damn dial back in place, wear and enjoy. Then begin your endless search for the correct parts. 😉

If you intended to re-sell. Ouch.
 
Dan S
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Found this, FWIW. Probably no help at all, just the Japanese translation for setting lever spring.

1772159284780.webp
 
ErichKeane
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redpcar redpcar
This is your watch that you intend to keep? Re-install the broken spring, dial dot that damn dial back in place, wear and enjoy. Then begin your endless search for the correct parts. 😉

If you intended to re-sell. Ouch.
I dont really have plans for it yet, Its a project! I couldnt wear it like this, it would drive me nuts knowing. And I can't pass it on this way :/
 
redpcar
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I don't want to poke too much fun at this but I've gone through the trouble to get you a better pic of the part you are looking for. <insert small winky>
1772159820943.webp


Seriously though, if you find a list of movements that share this part, I'm sure there are plenty of people here ready to scour the boxes of spare parts movements. Since it's from a GS, I doubt if regular Seikos would share this part.
 
ErichKeane
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redpcar redpcar
I don't want to poke too much fun at this but I've gone through the trouble to get you a better pic of the part you are looking for. <insert small winky>
1772159820943.webp


Seriously though, if you find a list of movements that share this part, I'm sure there are plenty of people here ready to scour the boxes of spare parts movements. Since it's from a GS, I doubt if regular Seikos would share this part.
I've found the setting lever from everything listed anywhere as 'base movement' of the 9S55, and it seems that none are even close. So my guess is only this movement, and perhaps the more recent 9S movements.
 
G___
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Keep looking, someone, somewhere has one or is a kindly soul with Seiko parts access. Good luck!
 
M
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Pretty sure the Grand Seiko 9s55 is identical to the Seiko 8L35. All parts compatible. Only difference between the two calibers is finishing and branding.
 
ErichKeane
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M mattmartin
Pretty sure the Grand Seiko 9s55 is identical to the Seiko 8L35. All parts compatible. Only difference between the two calibers is finishing and branding.
I don't see any photos of the setting lever spring, but I believe I'd gotten that suggestion in the past and the setting lever I found for it was different.

That said, I gave up on this (the more I dug into the movement, the more I realized was 'wrong' with it), and just sent it back to GS.
 
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