Community Stories

Vintage Grand Seiko Sharing Thread

HamDoctor
Posts
340
Likes
2,597
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
Posts
230
Likes
533
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
Posts
13,307
Likes
18,417
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
Posts
1,162
Likes
6,031
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.
 
This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.
SOG53
Posts
3,011
Likes
6,417
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
 
This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.
styggpyggeno1
Posts
3,940
Likes
45,374
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
Posts
13,307
Likes
18,417
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
Posts
230
Likes
533
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
Posts
66
Likes
204
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
Posts
66
Likes
204
And one you don't see very much, the 5646-7020 (bit difficult to photograph with the cut crystal):
vfrilSW.webp
 
SOG53
Posts
3,011
Likes
6,417
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
Posts
66
Likes
204
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
Posts
230
Likes
533
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
Posts
3,011
Likes
6,417
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
Posts
66
Likes
204
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
Posts
66
Likes
204
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.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

ibis888

Vintage King Seiko Sharing Thread

ibis888 Seiko Watches
ibis888
ibis888
Posts
10
Views
317
SOG53

Vintage Grand Seiko 4522-8000 Toshiba commemorative 1969

SOG53 Private Watch Sales
jB1128
jB1128
Posts
3
Views
2K
SOG53

Vintage Grand Seiko 6145-8050 1972 Reduced

SOG53 Private Watch Sales
SOG53
SOG53
Posts
7
Views
4K
usfpaul82

Grand Seiko 43999 - Vintage Grand Seiko (1963) - PRICE DROP

usfpaul82 Private Watch Sales
usfpaul82
usfpaul82
Posts
4
Views
3K
dsio

Seiko Watches on eBay Megathread - Grand Seiko, Seiko 5, Prospex, Diver, Vintage & Chrono

dsio Seiko Watches
dsio
dsio
Posts
68
Views
3K
doretta59

Grand Seiko SBGS003

doretta59 Private Watch Sales
doretta59
doretta59
Posts
0
Views
486