Lee's Watch Thread for MM'ers of Impeccable Taste

[WRXtranceformed]

Despite looking on and off for a few months, I impulse bought a new nightstand organizer a few days ago. I'm in a tough spot because my only dedicated surface is my nightstand and the current watch case is an inscribed gift from the wife, given to me like a decade ago. This means I either had to find some odd way to keep what she gave me or stash things elsewhere. I'm not 100% sold on this design because it's a bit monolithic to have them stacked, but it did give me a bunch more storage. Not only did I get all the crap off my watch case, I also moved a bunch of things that were in random other drawers (e.g. bands, cuff links) to here. Top right image was the before.

SO ORGANIZED!  I love it

So the 6309-7040 arrived today.  And I am smitten.  It is a real gamble sometimes buying used watches because pictures don't always do pieces justice (for better or for worse).  I would have bought it anyway even if it was a junker because it's so hard to find an original example of these with the right serial number.  But this one exceeded my expectations!  

Pics:




35 year old lume, a little dull but still going strong!








So I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box and the PO had included a $60 Hirsch Liberty leather strap for free!  It’s super high quality and the nato it came on is a really nice one too.  I will havev no problem rocking these until Uncle Seiko’s 6309 oyster bracelet is back in stock and I can scoop one. The watch wears really well, much better than its modern SRP counterpart in my opinion.  With a few shakes the movement ticked right up and is running really smoothly.  Date switches over crisply at midnight.

The crystal is not as badly scratched as I originally thought from the PO’s pictures; you can see the micro swirls in the one harsh light picture I took.  But under normal light they really are not that noticeable and I think add to the character, so I may not end up replacing the crystal and just have it cleaned (there is a spec of something on the underside of the crystal just above the date window that bugs me, as well as some small dust particals).  The bezel insert is in great condition, overall the case has a lot of love swirls but no massive dings or dents.  The caseback is scratched like crazy but the only thing I’m worried about on that is the serial number so no care here.

The watch does need some attention though.  The bezel is completely locked up and the crown is not grabbing real well at full lock, so I really need to be careful with it around water.  I’ve got a gasket kit in the mail to prepare for a full service and I’d imagine it needs at minimum a new stem or crown (depending on which one is stripped) and bezel balls.  But again the movement seems to be running great, I’m timing it right now so will report back tomorrow how well it’s doing, and cosmetically I don’t think at this point I want to change a thing!  Just a very cool thing to own a watch that’s exactly as old as I am and still running so well with an obviously well-used but mostly loved life!