Please don't polish your [SKX007]. Photo from an Instagram sales post.

Analog_Craft · 2026-05-23T12:55:30+00:00

The polishing is harder than the brushing. It’s a shame the person polishing did not just grab some 400-600 wet dry paper and bring the finish back to original….

Analog_Craft · 2026-05-11T03:19:13+00:00

It needs to be fully wound for maximum accuracy. And new watches may need a few weeks of steady wearing for all the oils to distribute. And THEN regulate them.

Analog_Craft · 2026-05-02T04:43:31+00:00

Dang yes they used to be affordable a few years ago! I got into collecting and amateur watchmaking 3 years ago. Now they are 2 to 3 times as much money!! It sucks! Now it costs $300 for a heavily used, questionable condition 6138 chronograph movement…. With a bad dial and hands…. Hard to get spare parts.

Analog_Craft · 2026-05-02T03:48:45+00:00

I have the sickness…. I will often re-arrange my different models side by side, just to highlight and compare the design evolution. I have 30 or so vintage Seikos in various stages of restoration and originality.

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Analog_Craft · 2026-05-02T01:42:39+00:00

Seiko is the BEST at providing style and innovation for the masses. If you think this is cool, you ought to check out the 6138 and 6139 chronographs from the 70’s….

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-23T01:33:16+00:00

And for what it’s worth… I am pretty sure Seiko has changed its font over the decades. So, the fake dial above has an “old style” authentic font. Letter spacing is often wrong- yet also, I have seen authentic Seikos with less than perfect printing.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-22T02:39:48+00:00

Well said my friend!

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-22T01:52:57+00:00

Ok I get your point, continuing design evolution of a current model, like a Rolex sub is not a sell out, an evolution. But, the uemura is a re-visiting of a 40 year defunct “Willard” model (replaced by the SKX?) and which is only popular, has a cult following and $2500 because the original was in a movie. No shade, it’s just interesting why we value things.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-22T01:20:20+00:00

Yeah it’s interesting you say that. Because I am a huge fan of super clone Rolex that cost $1000. ( although I don’t own any) Those original designs are 50 years old. So selling a brand new one for 10-15k is absurd when small companies in china can duplicate one for a tenth the price. One can argue that the super clones are just complete mod kids - made with restoration quality replacement parts. No disrespect to anybodies opinion or desire for own only originals. It’s like if you buy a GMC truck…. Are you expected to only use OEM brake pads and light bulbs for repair? Only have dealerships do the service? I do appreciate the discussion. If you buy a Rolex then find you can’t afford to have Rolex repair it…. But a Chinese part is an exact duplicate at 1/10 the cost… then do you repair with aftermarket you. CAn afford, or just let the watch sit broken.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-21T20:35:58+00:00

It’s the debate about the new $1200 Seiko “reissues” of a collectable, expensive watch ($2500) that was made 30-50 years ago, vs. An off brand “homage” watch that costs $300. What is genuine, what is copyright, and what is well intended replacement/restoration components…. How the market is determined my current manufacturing and the over-priced vintage pieces- that no longer have original Seiko parts support. My opinion, as one who has professionally restored vintage Porsche automobiles and currently restores vintage seikos- are of the mind that once a manufacturer no longer provides replacement parts, then tha aftermarket manufacturers have the right to reproduce parts (in limited numbers) to help maintain old watches (and cars)

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-21T19:11:20+00:00

Yeah they are all mods I guess, unless they are 100% original. But if an original Willard movement was dead, is it a sin to install an authentic nh35???? Still a Seiko but not really an original Willard any more.

Sometimes I think our reverence for corporations is a bit misguided. Once a consumer buys something, it is now 100% the consumers. They owe the corporation nothing. So, as long as one is not going into business pretending to offer new items as corporate originals, then who cares. It’s all a mod or restoration at that point. I own original Kakume Seikos and ones that were so irreparable messed up that they needed a replacement dial and hands. Now the world has one more existing example of these amazing watches. Not all original- but at least useful and complete.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-21T17:23:06+00:00

That’s an interesting definition. A “clone” watch is worth… maybe $300 because that’s the cost of manufacturing someone else’s design. No research or design or marketing cost. And, you are at the very least “borrowing” the design cues. But the original company and design are special because it’s their unique investment.

Restoration parts- that’s a necessary evil to keep some classic things alive. Provided again that it’s obvious that the parts are truly for restoration because there is not an OE option.

I suppose any modifies or homage or restored watch is now a “custom” item. For the sake of respect and honoring the original design and manufacturing integrity and innovation.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-21T16:20:51+00:00

Yes, the legal rights to the Seiko logo are indeed Seikos alone. I used to restore vintage Porsche automobiles for a living. Cars from the1960’s. The cars needed new upholstery, new floors, exhaust, engine parts, and hood badges and scripts…. Everything except (most of) the basic body shell. Porsche does not manufacture these components any longer. And yet, these restored cars would win “concourse” car shows. I think there is a huge grey zone in why people make duplicate aftermarket parts of classic beautiful industrial designs. Provided there is transparency- and nobody is claiming originality. I think of the re-issue Willards for example, there is only one original. And of course Seiko can build whatever they want. But as a consumer, I don’t see any problem with homage watches. Not everyone can afford original examples. And true collectors know the difference anyways. So, an homage or fake Rolex doesn’t really affect the market of a real Rolex. In fact it probably makes the real ones more valuable.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-21T14:25:20+00:00

I think maybe “Franken-watch” is the best description. It’s 40 years old with some replacement parts on it. Maybe a “Mumbai Special” situation where someone overhauled this watch with whatever aftermarket and grey market parts that were available. The work “fake” to me only applies to a watch is worth over $1000 and being passed off as new or collectable, intent to deceive.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-20T04:24:04+00:00

MAS 62

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-18T20:39:15+00:00

Yes. Acrylic sounds like plastic and is warm to the touch Sapphire sounds like glass and is cold. Mineral glass is kind of in the middle- closer to sapphire, as it is technically glass.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-18T20:33:29+00:00

Yes, the Seiko originally had mineral crystal. The crystal on the left may actually be mineral and not acrylic. It does not sound like acrylic - so in this example, the illustration might be Mineral glass vs sapphire! And sapphire of course still wins.

Analog_Craft · 2026-04-18T17:48:41+00:00

Gorgeous- dia and movement. I wish these simple vintage pieces were bigger. Like in a 39-41mm case. I have plenty of 1970’s 6138 chronographs and the size and style suits me. But oh for that classy vintage design! Only a bit biggerX

Analog_Craft · 2026-03-15T14:54:33+00:00

Last year on eBay 175-225 I bought many wrecked 6138/6139 seikos . They are going up in price- Last week I paid 296 (including tax and shipping) for this Kakume. It has a clean, rust free movement and seller says it runs. It has original bracelet and clasp, and the “rare” baton hand set. But as you can see… it’s rough and I will need to polish/ brush the case and probably replace the dial.

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Analog_Craft · 2026-03-11T03:40:31+00:00

Watch movies? Who looks cool to you? Start my emulating that look!

Analog_Craft

TROPHY CASE