Recently I've become interested collecting Seikos. A local Seiko collector showed me one of his watches and this model similar to his has popped up on the bay.



As far as I can tell, and comparing to others, the watch is in rather nice condition. The only issues that stand out are (what I think) the relumed markers and hands, as well as the fused bezel (which probably needs a new spring or replacement.)

Would the asking bid of $499 be worth it? Or should I wait for a better example?

 

I'm not sure that it has been re-lumed. Do an image search, and you'll find similarly preserved lume on many examples.

As to price, it sounds about right if the case back and movement are in good enough condition. The values on these have escalated markedly since the chronograph craze took off.

 

What makes you think it's relumed? I've got a 68 Seiko that still takes a charge and glows and it's original as other identical watches exhibit the same.

As for price I think in a year you might be kicking yourself if you pass based on Seiko trajectories.

 

Thanks for the responses, when I said they looked relumed they just look...so pristine! Admittedly, my watch collecting experience is now just under a year, so I've mainly seen watches with relume, old lume, but nothing quite like this where the lume is preserved.

I will definitely be putting in a conservative bid closer to the auction close and see how my luck holds out. Thank you for the advice once again!

 

Nice watch and I think 499 is a good price. Imo a great quality watch at a very low price point- pusher feels good to use and despite simple, a column wheel movement nonetheles

My non lume says hi!

 

Put in a $570 bid that was beat by a $580 bid a second before mine. Ah well :/ will be on the lookout again, thanks again for the advice guys!

 

That's a great price. For comparison, here's how much a store in Tokyo is selling theirs - alomost USD 1600!
http://item.ocnk.net/product/3856

 

Ouch...I missed out on the one I posted earlier, although the hunt is definitely on now!

Have a safe and merry New Years everybody

 

WOW.....very nice Seiko chronograph watch there!!!

 

I would also say the watch in OP is in ok condition, I quite like the patina as it is. You can find nicer examples, but they will cost more money. Happy hunting!

One note though - as you might have noticed browsing auctions, be it eBay or Yahoo Japan etc., it will be very difficult to find nice replacement parts, such as dials, but especially the bakelite (?) bezels. So if you want one just like in the OP, I would advise against getting a cheaper one with bad bezel thinking you could replace it later.

My 5717-8990 says hi as well - eddieskl's very nice example makes me want to touch up the bezel with some black paint:

 

Nice! Ours would be the 6239/6262/6265 version with steel bezel

 

Thank you! A serious sleeper....!

 

Sooooo after a year and a bit, this one popped up as a BIN, and the price was too good to resist:



5717-8990, silver bezel with some ink, maybe some scratches on the glass, some patina developing, and serial on caseback dates to September 64. It should be coming in a few weeks, and appears to be relatively unpolished. Fingers crossed!