[Closed] Seiko watch servicing

Depending on the model they won't have parts and it'll come straight back. If you give the model number on the back people can advise more. They are good though.

In some cases, where it's a cheaper movement (7s26 etc) it's cheaper to put a new movement in than service it, that's what I'm doing to an skx031.

I use Richard Askham for older Seiko and Neil Milliken for mods and modern stuff.

Does it need servicing would be the first question. Is it losing time etc or are you just thinking after 20 years it’s something you should do. If the latter I’d just leave it alone.

In some cases, where it’s a cheaper movement (7s26 etc) it’s cheaper to put a new movement in than service it, that’s what I’m doing to an skx031.

Definitely that. I hopped up my SKX007 to an NH36 movement when I broke the original. Even did it myself, it's not that hard and there are plenty of YouTube tutorials. Movement was about £40 plus a few cheap tools.

You'll also get some good advice from the blokes, (and it is all blokes!) on here.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/watches-n1/page/80/#post-11667138

Another vote for just replacing the movement rather than trying to service it. However is there a reason you want to get it serviced?

I bought an old 4205 last year (late 80s model so probably over 30years old), a replacement NH05 movement was £32 odd from cousins (plus p&p).

You need to set up an account, and navigate their website/catalogues. But it's probably easier and cheaper than paying to get an old Seiko serviced...

A 20 year old and "nothing fancy" Seiko is quite likely to be a 7s26 - it'll say on the back of the case. The official Seiko US price for a 7s service was $118 as at April 2020, I don't know the UK pricing but I expect it's comparable.

As said above, I'd leave it alone if it's still working OK, and maybe swap the movement (if feasible) if it's not. I've a Seiko 7005-8042 from the 70s that's still running at about -4s per day so they do chug on nicely despite Seiko advising a 3 year service interval!

I've used the Seiko factory in Maidenhead for a repair (with service/ battery included) - perpetual calendar type. They had a counter service at the time, so you could just drop in, think it's by post only these days. All seemed efficient enough, maybe a bit slower than i'd have liked. I couldn't find anyone else who would certify the waterproof-ness for me.

With regards movements anyone know what movement for an 80s pepsi divers watch. Mines dead.
I'd even replace it with a battery one. 🙁

Seiko's will usually have the movement engraved on the case back or printed on the dial at 6 o'clock

Thanks will look

Thanks for all the responses - it is indeed a 7s26, as guessed by johnners! (0040 automatic)
It was losing time/stopping for a while - probably due under use, but after a few years in drawers etc it doesn't go at all.
Looking at ebay past sales the servicing cost is probably more than value of the watch in it's current state, but after 20 odd years I'd still like to hang on to it and get back to wearing it all the time.

Given the above feedback it sounds like swapping the internals is cheaper than servicing - that's if it can be done with automatics and re-sealed etc, assume that's all fairly do able.

Saccades - Do you know how i go about finding Richard Askham and/or Neil Milliken? Found a few FB references but no direct websites or pages?

Or is it the kind of thing any watch repairers could probably do?

Thanks all

Jim

Given the above feedback it sounds like swapping the internals is cheaper than servicing – that’s if it can be done with automatics and re-sealed etc, assume that’s all fairly do able.

Dead easy with automatics, most Seiko mechanical movements are automatic, sealing, as far as most people are concerned, is mainly about making sure the O-ring in the channel around the case is undamaged, and has a light coating of silicon, also the tiny O-rings on the winder stem are also lubed and undamaged. Pressure testing is something that can be done by some jewellers, I’m not certain that the sort of immersion that most people are likely to subject a watch to would result in water ingress, just so long as the previous conditions are met.

Given the above feedback it sounds like swapping the internals is cheaper than servicing – that’s if it can be done with automatics and re-sealed etc, assume that’s all fairly do able.

Yeah, you're right, any jeweller could do it. In fact, if it wasn't so special to you I'd volunteer to do it. As there's a small chance I'd balls it up probably best not risk it.

Cheers tthew - I've already made the mistake of watching a few youtube videos. Could be a simpler problem than changing the internals completely...but it would get messy if I tried.
Going to get someone with the tools to look over it first and go from there.
As others have suggested if it's just a stuck winder/loose winder screw then might be best to just sort that and see how it goes - full service may not be necessary.

Thanks for all the advice everyone - given me a much better idea for what I'm looking at.

cheers

Hah, that's the exact same watch I'm trying to get around to sending to Neil (skx031).

Could I interest you in an OEM bezel?

I'll pm you the contact details but I would most jewellers would have a fella they use for this type of thing.

99% sure the Seiko service place would have the parts too.

I used to use Butlers in Cheltenham to service by 20 year old and nothing fancy, but sentimentally valuable, 7s26 Seiko, but he's closed at the moment (I think, it's not like he ever had an active web presence).

It's stopped again and I'd like to get it working but, and I know this is a bit daft, I don't want to change the movement as I got the watch with some money my folks gave me when I graduated, and if it's got a new movement in it it's not the same watch, it's kind of like Trigger's broom isn't it?

i think I'll just wait, it's not like I don't have a box of other watches to wear in the meantime...

Seems there's 3 of us with the same watch that needs repair/servicing - perhaps we could get a 3 for 2 type deal!

Saccades - funny you should say that about new bezel. Mines scratched to hell after trying to shoot a hill on a skateboard in the suburbs of Sydney 20 years ago and smashing the front. Replaced glass but kept the bezel as it was...it's a nice reminder!

IHN - same situation, post-graduation gift from parents.

Yeah, I was going to put it back to factory fresh but then decided that it's my dad's 20 yo watch and I'd prefer it left as it (that and I couldn't get an OEM bracelet, currently has an snzf bracelet on it.

So I have an OEM bezel that I need to put on eBay at some point.