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Vintage Grand Seiko Sharing Thread

HamDoctor
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impalla62ss impalla62ss
Well this thread inspired me to take on a new project. I have found a 1975 Grand Quartz 4843-7000, which is the predecessor to the Grand Seiko Quartz with +/- 5 seconds per month. This is nicknamed the 'Royal Oak' because of the Decagon Bezel. I found one in Japan with a broken movement and sourced a working movent dial and hands. I'd love to hear your opinions on the case condition, as I am considering having it refinished.
Love the project - this one (and its blue sibling) are among my favorite Grand Quartz models. Getting it running again with a donor movement is a good thing.
I have looked at quite a few of these and the one you are showing looks to be in good condition "as is", cosmetically, that is. Unless there is some damage to the case that is not visible in this photo, I would leave the case in this condition.
Not so sure about the dial, but the damage there isn't too big. It does however make me more sure not to invest more effort into the case, if the case was restored to pristine status and the dial has some damage, it doesn't match.
You will want to replace the crown, though. I'll send you a PM.
 
ken_hodson
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impalla62ss impalla62ss
Well this thread inspired me to take on a new project. I have found a 1975 Grand Quartz 4843-7000, which is the predecessor to the Grand Seiko Quartz with +/- 5 seconds per month. This is nicknamed the 'Royal Oak' because of the Decagon Bezel. I found one in Japan with a broken movement and sourced a working movent dial and hands. I'd love to hear your opinions on the case condition, as I am considering having it refinished.
Grand Quartz.webp MovementQ.webp Dialq.webp
Nice project and cool looking watch. From the top photo, the case condition looks ok to me (but hard to tell maybe from just this one photo)? The threshold for refinishing a case is high, as the original finishing, even with scratches and nicks, is almost always preferable. Personally, I'd be switching the movement, maybe replacing the glass, but leaving the case alone.
 
gatorcpa
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styggpyggeno1 styggpyggeno1
1971 Special

I got it in 2013

54718320815_175196be91_h.webp


Took a buckle and put it on a deployant clasp.

54717154977_13cce129e7_h.webp
I have the exact same model. Got it here on this forum from a great seller.

I'd like more info on the clasp modification. Looks very nice.
gatorcpa
 
impalla62ss
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ken_hodson ken_hodson
Nice project and cool looking watch. From the top photo, the case condition looks ok to me (but hard to tell maybe from just this one photo)? The threshold for refinishing a case is high, as the original finishing, even with scratches and nicks, is almost always preferable. Personally, I'd be switching the movement, maybe replacing the glass, but leaving the case alone.
Here is the link to the sold item for more pics. eBay sold listing The pitted look on the case appears to be on purpose after looking at other examples.
 
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SOG53
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impalla62ss impalla62ss
Here is the link to the sold item for more pics. eBay sold listing The pitted look on the case appears to be on purpose after looking at other examples.
Couple of textured KS cases from same period. I think texture is original and it will clean up nicely
IMG_0477.webp IMG_0926.webp
 
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styggpyggeno1
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
I have the exact same model. Got it here on this forum from a great seller.

I'd like more info on the clasp modification. Looks very nice.
gatorcpa

A picture would be nice to see... ;-)

As it is 12 years ago I do not remember the details but it was a straight forward swap of the buckle parts. I do have the deployant original buckle somewhere. I got both the buckle and the deployant with the watch from a fellow countryman living in Japan (AKA "the Pusher"). He is a major collector and a nice guy. He was the reason I got into the nicer vintage Seiko/Citizen watches and I am forever thankful.

54719085832_7fdb64e970_b.webp 54720139079_d66f1f3016_b.webp 54720139069_3ced2dfca4_b.webp 54719915251_41fc2fb274_b.webp 54720129218_d9b623e9b6_b.webp 54719915246_695dcb3ce9_b.webp


And the watch for today (thank you for pushing me to use it)

54719915196_dfd5110877_b.webp
 
gatorcpa
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styggpyggeno1 styggpyggeno1
A picture would be nice to see... ;-)
Here you go!

1755167890767.webp

A little discoloration on the dial, but the price was right.
gatorcpa
 
ken_hodson
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A new arrival!
GS 4522-7000 with dark blue dial. Quite a cool watch with the unusual 'bat wing' case shape, but I love it. This one has seen some action, but I think it is unpolished, with a nice medallion on the caseback.
PXL_20251219_195958040.PORTRAIT~2.webp PXL_20251219_201727778.webp
 
50kopek
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ken_hodson ken_hodson
A new arrival!
GS 4522-7000 with dark blue dial. Quite a cool watch with the unusual 'bat wing' case shape, but I love it. This one has seen some action, but I think it is unpolished, with a nice medallion on the caseback.
PXL_20251219_195958040.PORTRAIT~2.webp PXL_20251219_201727778.webp
Very nice! I have the no date version (4520):
WqyA1C7.webp
 
50kopek
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And one you don't see very much, the 5646-7020 (bit difficult to photograph with the cut crystal):
vfrilSW.webp
 
SOG53
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50kopek 50kopek
And one you don't see very much, the 5646-7020 (bit difficult to photograph with the cut crystal):
vfrilSW.webp
Beautiful example and with the original green dial too! And the faceted crystal looks in fine shape. Looks like original bracelet ? I have a 6145-8050 faded to charcoal gray from original blue posted above.
 
50kopek
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SOG53 SOG53
Beautiful example and with the original green dial too! And the faceted crystal looks in fine shape. Looks like original bracelet ? I have a 6145-8050 faded to charcoal gray from original blue posted above.
The 5646-7020 only came with a green dial and originally never came with a bracelet, just on a black leather strap. The case however is the same as that of the 3803-7020 (or very similar), a quartz watch that can be had very cheaply these days and did come on a bracelet. Since the 3803 was a fairly expensive watch at the time (more expensive than the 5646), the bracelet is high quality. It's pretty much the same as the GS XQB040, but with 'SEIKO' on the clasp instead of 'GS'.
Long story short: bought a cheap 3803 and use the bracelet on the 5646.
 
ken_hodson
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50kopek 50kopek
Very nice! I have the no date version (4520):
WqyA1C7.webp
I like the look of yours on a bracelet. I've been playing about with straps, but haven't really found one that I like yet. I was thinking maybe a mesh Milanese.

I'm loving your green dial 5646 too, that is a beautiful watch!
 
SOG53
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50kopek 50kopek
The 5646-7020 only came with a green dial and originally never came with a bracelet, just on a black leather strap. The case however is the same as that of the 3803-7020 (or very similar), a quartz watch that can be had very cheaply these days and did come on a bracelet. Since the 3803 was a fairly expensive watch at the time (more expensive than the 5646), the bracelet is high quality. It's pretty much the same as the GS XQB040, but with 'SEIKO' on the clasp instead of 'GS'.
Long story short: bought a cheap 3803 and use the bracelet on the 5646.
Thanks. Have you seen the GS bracelet review on Plus9 time you probably have as you are knowledgeable about it
I reference it above it’s wonderful review
 
50kopek
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SOG53 SOG53
Thanks. Have you seen the GS bracelet review on Plus9 time you probably have as you are knowledgeable about it
I reference it above it’s wonderful review
I had not seen that yet, but I'll have a look. Thanks for the heads up.
 
50kopek
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ken_hodson ken_hodson
I like the look of yours on a bracelet. I've been playing about with straps, but haven't really found one that I like yet. I was thinking maybe a mesh Milanese.

I'm loving your green dial 5646 too, that is a beautiful watch!
I prefer bracelets over straps, but it's difficult sometimes to find a bracelet that fits and suits a vintage watch properly. The one on the 4520 is actually a KS bracelet. I've since changed it to a mesh and I like that, so your milanese idea seems like a good one to me. I also find that I prefer straight ends to curved, fitted end links on some watches, as it shows off the lines of the case better and for a watch like your 4522 the case shape is one of its main attractions.
 
GSDT
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SOG53 SOG53
Thanks. Have you seen the GS bracelet review on Plus9 time you probably have as you are knowledgeable about it
I reference it above it’s wonderful review
Which model strap are you referring to on the plus9 website? Just picked up a 5646 7020 as well and am thinking about getting a metal bracelet
 
50kopek
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GSDT GSDT
Which model strap are you referring to on the plus9 website? Just picked up a 5646 7020 as well and am thinking about getting a metal bracelet
The 5646-7020 didn’t come on a bracelet, just a black leather strap. So there is no original bracelet for that model. But the bracelet from a 380X-7020 does fit well, as it uses pretty much the same case.
 
GSDT
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50kopek 50kopek
The 5646-7020 didn’t come on a bracelet, just a black leather strap. So there is no original bracelet for that model. But the bracelet from a 380X-7020 does fit well, as it uses pretty much the same case.
Thank you for the help, I will take a look!
 
50kopek
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GSDT GSDT
Thank you for the help, I will take a look!
An XQB040 from a 564X-8000 may also work, though I haven't tried it. But it will be more difficult to find and a lot more expensive too.
 
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