Probably a sacrilege question in this forum, but are the non-quartz, vintage Seikos worth the rehab price? I’m talking automatics with 17 or more jewels. I know it will depend on movement etc, but they sure seem like a fun watch to get into. I’ve got two or three I can pick up fairly cheap. Thanks!

 

Vintage Seikos are fun and as worth it to service and repair as any other fun vintage watch you would want to wear. I've had my 6309 7040 serviced and it is apparently a straight forward design for watch makers to work on.

 

If by "worth it" you mean "can I get my investment back", probably not, other than a limited number of models (if acquired and serviced cheaply).

If you mean "are they awesome", sure! Share some photos!

 

Nothing wrong with old Seikos, but I guess you have the dig out to old metaphorical scales and balance the cost of the work against the value of the watch, when I say value I don’t necessarily mean the dollar value of the watch, you should also factor in the value to you.
Such value may well exceed any monetary value the piece might have, for instance it might be an heirloom or was presented to you as a gift, it may just be that you really like it. In whichh cases it may be worth the cost to you.
But I doubt the cost of fixing these things to improve their investment value is likely to be viable.
They do however provide you with a affordable way to learn how to do it yourself as a hobby and if you bugger it up no great loss, but if you get it right you can bask in the warm fuzzy feeling of pride that you got it right.

 

Not worth repair? To whom? If you come upon a watch that you like that needs work, talk to a watchmaker and find out if it can be repaired satisfactorily and that parts are available for, and ask for a quote. There is value in repairing something you will enjoy that can’t be measured in economical terms. These decisions are made by watch collectors, all the time! Just bear in mind that the money you spend on repairs comes out of your watch collecting budget. It is hard to build a collection if you are spending chunks of money on repairs. Your money, your call!

 

Your points are well taken. I enjoy the hunt. While I could spend more on top notch pieces, I enjoy rehabbing stuff…I’ve spent an adult lifetime doing so with antiques for my home, including building my home with antique architectural details that date back more that a century.

I measure “worth” by the smile it brings me. Heck I’m in the process of servicing a 1958 bumper that will cost more that the watch would be sellable for…but I’m not selling and I’m happy with my decision. That I’m stingy on some things means that I’m admittedly drawn to the lower end pieces. I could put a 2k watch on my wrist tomorrow if I desired. But it wouldn’t necessarily bring me as much enjoyment. I may change my tactic in the future, but for now, I’m content and smiling as I travel my newly found watch obsession. Thanks for the replies.

 

Horrible pics but here they are.

 

Update: the lot sold for $167 and had 43 bids. I was not the high bidder. Fun nonetheless…but maybe I’m going about this all wrong. You folks would know better than I. Who knows?

 

I don't think I'd start by buying large lots and paying to service them, I think it would be better to do your research and pick a collectible model that you particularly like. Over time, you can add more examples and build a quality collection.

These were the first two Seikos I bought, and they were such good choices that I still have them. Good examples of desirable references. Of course, now I have many more, including various different styles - divers, dress watches, chronographs, world timers, etc. It's a very fun brand to collect.

 

You didn’t mention that you service your own stuff, in your original post. That changes things! I am a bottom feeder. I buy stuff all the time that many might consider to be basket cases. I have a huge accumulation of obsolete donor watches, and a 50+ year accumulation of NOS genuine parts, a complete kit of tools, and I too do my own work. But I am not an average collector, and by that token, what works for me doesn’t work for the average collector. I can make a pig’s ear into a silk purse with several hours worth of work and a few parts from my inventory. So a lot of my stuff might well have been deemed to be not worth repair by an average collector, before I performed my magic! If I had to pay someone to service my stuff, I’d have to look at collecting watches differently!

 

Let me re-phrase…I’m paying to have that bumper serviced. That said, I have toyed with the idea of spending watch money on appropriate watch tools and equipment. I have an ability to fix things. I’m a Glock armorer (not exactly the scale of a watch), but understanding how things work and am meticulous in how I approach things. Parts availability would certainly present an obvious obstacle…but like the idea and love a challenge.

 

I’m helping a young fellow become familiar with mechanical watches. His profession is information technology, but he is fascinated with watches. I have had him in my shop, working on a few of his acquisitions, with my instruction. His collection now numbers about one dozen watches, most of which he has done on his own. He is equipping a shop of his own after familiarizing himself about the tools he’ll need. He has an uncanny ability to organize his work in such a way as to never get beyond his depth. With the right level of desire, determination, and ingenuity, a novice can learn about watches. If he has guidance from a professional, so much the better.

 

I think every watch is worth saving. I’m not a professional watchmaker, just a hobbyist, I usually buy beat up old Seiko and restore them the best I can. They usually turn out nice, easy to work on and their movement run extremely well too.

 

Excellent work! Night and day difference…and that has to be satisfying. That’s what I’d like to be able to accomplish at some point. Congrats!

 

Only the middle one looked to have a nice dial so you didn’t miss out.
I like old seikos and have a nice 6139 with a stunning blue dial bought with a recent service and a 6009 with a vey clean dial that I paid to service. I am upside down on the second one even though I paid very little for it. No regrets because I really enjoy wearing them.
If you enjoy the looks then go for it, but I suggest passing on poor dials and beat up cases.

 

Some are worth fixing up. This is my most recent purchase, it was actually an eBay auction, which is rare for me these days. It will probably need a new crystal, but it's clean where it matters. The 6105-8000 is the Asian market model, and it is engraved with the name of the original owner, a Vietnam vet who purchased it in 1968.

 

I’m looking for one myself lol 6105-8000 is such a underrated watch compare to its sibling Captain Willard

 

Answer to the opening question: clearly NO!
Please tell me when and where you throw it into the bin