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Seiko 6309-7040 Update!. New photos! Movement photos, even! NATO straps! And a big I am angry! Eek! I am angry!

Ricky Lee
December 16, 2010 05:48PM
 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 12,330 (2011-05)

First, rest assured that the I am angry! is no fault of the watch itself. I am confused Oh no, not at all. Rather, it's all down to me own dumb a$$! Oops! Somehow, you see, on the very first day I wore it to work, I managed to scratch the hell out of the bezel insert! Eek!

Here's the damage..

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Starts at 2:20 and goes right through the 12 pip. Frowning And, if you look close, you can see that it even scratched the very edge of the crystal! I am crying



The really crazy thing is that I don't even know how I did it. Crazy! Loco! Never noticed until I went to shoot these photos! Oops! Which totally ain't like me. Usually I notice every time I bang a watch. I can't tell you how many times I've done so then, with dread in me heart, immediately gave the watch a "damage inspection". Most times I won't find nothin', of course. {sigh} Guess I'm slippin'. Wink

But you know what? Screw it! Now that it's got that First Scratch, I'm gonna pull a Colby and beat the snot out of it. Heck, maybe I'll even turn it into a L.E. Wycombe Homage.. Smile

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

It looks natural as can be on the Ricky Standard Combat NATO, and..

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..it certainly wears Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr8! Thumbs up!

But I couldn't resist trying something slightly more left-field:

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

I wasn't sure about this combo at first. However, the more I wear it..

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..the more I like it! It's still on this strap at the moment, and I'll probably wear it this way for a few more days, then move to the Will Jean bracelet.

I gotta say..

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..it wears Grrrrrrrrrr8! on the ZULU! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

But let's have a peek "under the hood"!

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Can't say that I was happy to see that mangled springbar. I am angry! But these Seiko fatties are strong as hell, and that wee ding ain't gonna affect the functionality. Still, minus 1/3rd point for ye Jose Sotto! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

But the movement itself proved to be a pleasant surprise. Compared to the 729A, this movements cosmetics are top-notch! I mean, not that the 729A is bad (see HERE), but this rascal is very nearly pristine! WIS Honeymoon

Not that it can match the 729A's accuracy! Not yet, anyway. The 729A is still hewing solidly to the so-accurate-it's-almost-scary going rate of just under +2 sec/week. Eek! Or, looked at another way, it's the one mechanical watch in my collection that could conceivably go between spring-forward and fall-back without needing to be re-set.

In contrast, the 6309-7040 is hovering right around +30 sec/day. Not bad, and normally I'd be quite happy with that performance from a watch that was minted in April of 1979. But given my success with the 6309-729A, I'll have to give regulating it a go. Eventually. I'll give it a week or two to "settle in", first.

One more (perhaps slightly more photogenic) shot..

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

In summary, despite its niggling flaws (the stiff-as-molasses bezel), and despite having scratched the bejaysus out of it, I couldn't be happier with this watch! Still too early to tell whether I will come to prefer the full-cushion planform over its slim-case brother. After all, the 729A has a healthy head start, and its quartz-like accuracy is bound to sway me (though I know, in this regard, it shouldn't).

Thanks for lookin', y'all!

Cheers!

-Ricky

Messages In This Thread


Subject Author Views Posted

Seiko 6309-7040 Update!. New photos! Movement photos, even! NATO straps! And a big I am angry! Eek! I am angry! Image Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 240 March 26, 2011 03:47PM

Looking good, Ricky.Thumbs up! Things like that happen.I am crying (n/t)

 Mark C. 40 March 27, 2011 08:33AM

The only good thing about this is that you are probably able to fix it yourself Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Reto 38 March 26, 2011 08:35PM

Hey Ricky...that scratch on the edge of the crystal isnt noticable at all!!! Just buy a new bezel insert..
Maybe a pepsi?!!?! Wink

 dano0 35 March 26, 2011 05:42PM

Honestly, I ain't tore up over the scratch. Wink Remember..
..The Camera Is Brutally Unforgiving. Oops! Granted it stands out like a sore thumb in a hi-res photo, but to the naked eye it's no big deal.Thumbs up!

Quote
dano0
Maybe a pepsi?!!?! Wink
Don't think I hadn't considered that, even before the scratch! With a Pepsi bezel on the 7040 the two watches would be spiritual twins. WIS Honeymoon

We'll see. I confess that I find the idea attractive...
 Ricky Lee 51 March 26, 2011 07:16PM

sorry about the scratch there sir....but, it makes me think >
something protruding from somewhere and sharp enough to produce a scratch like that, could well cut the shit out of you. still, a sweet watch no doubt, and I agree, that first scratch is the hardest, but after that we tend to relax some. Thumbs up!

 greg honeycutt 37 March 26, 2011 04:18PM

Ah, no big deal. I'm over it. Smile Jpeg Attachments URL

Quote
greg honeycutt
something protruding from somewhere and sharp enough to produce a scratch like that, could well cut the shit out of you.
Good point! You know, this may be the second time that a wristwatch has saved me from bodily harm! Laughing
Quote
greg honeycutt
..still, a sweet watch no doubt, and I agree, that first scratch is the hardest, but after that we tend to relax some. Thumbs up!
Thank you! mate. "L.E. Wycombe Homage" is sounding better all the time.

Photo by Wycombe

Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off
 Ricky Lee 51 March 26, 2011 05:12PM

Sorry to read about the insert. Where did you get that funky multicolored nylon? > Jpeg Attachments
Noah (hope he's OK) gave me a few when I met him. Think I gave one away on the forum yrs ago. I am confused

Photo by AdamNYC

 Adam in NYC 50 March 26, 2011 04:09PM

Bit of a story there. It's possible that this one came from Noah, too, albeit indirectly. Jpeg Attachments URL
This strap was part of the WOTY Traveling Treasure Chest which JT passed along last month. I have no real clue to its ultimate origin, but knowing that Noah is tight with several WOTY past, I wonder.

Attention Senor Torrez? Can you illuminate the issue? Wink

Quote
Adam in NYC
Noah (hope he's OK)..
+1,000,001! WIS Honeymoon Let's keep the prayers and Good Karma flowing his way.
Quote
Adam in NYC
..gave me a few when I met him.
Bro. Chris Larson gifted me one that's very similar.. yet totally different.

Photo by Ricky Lee
Quote
Adam in NYC
Think I gave one away on the forum yrs ago. I am confused
It would seem that not many WIS are enamored of this ZULU pattern. I am confused

Me, I love 'em WIS Honeymoon and, indeed, wouldn't mind to have a couple more. Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off
 Ricky Lee 41 March 26, 2011 04:41PM

OK. Noah gave me that color as well  >
I converted both to one-piece nylons cause I don't really wear NATOs. Smile

 Adam in NYC 40 March 26, 2011 05:09PM

Causing me to wonder even more seriously.. Gif Attachments URL
..if one, or perhaps both of these ZULUs didn't originate with Noah. Chis L won his as a door prize at a Chicago GTG that was, I believe, attended by Noah.

Quote
Adam in NYC
..I don't really wear NATOs. Smile
Another NATO / ZULU hater? Eek! Eek! Frowning

Taz is angry!

Heathens! Godless heathens! I am crying

Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off
Quote
Adam in NYC
I converted both to one-piece nylons..
I confess that I've done similar conversions. But only in the case of a strap that's too short for me ankle-sized wrist, and 2-piece is the way I roll there, the better to "lengthen" the strap. Smile
 Ricky Lee 47 March 26, 2011 07:38PM

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Update! Seiko 6309-7040. Sure, you know what's coming.. Smile

Ricky Lee
March 30, 2011 07:58PM
 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 12,330 (2011-05)

..I finally fitted the Super Oyster bracelet. WooHOO! IHD!

Now, I know you don't need it, Dear Constant Reader, but if we have any newcomers reading, you can find my initial report on this watch HERE.

So let's jump right into the photos!

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

And, no, I haven't tackled the stiff bezel yet. But since I rarely actually use a Whacking Great Rotating Bezel to time things, it's no burden. Neither have I regulated the movement, and the going-rate is still running +30 sec/day.

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Yup, the scratch is still there. But, again, it's way more noticeable in photos than to the naked eye and, honestly, I've pretty much ceased to notice it.

To my surprise, there was a bit of bother in fitting the bracelet! Oops! The bracelet fit the 12 o'clock lug perfectly, but wouldn't fully seat in the 6 o'clock lug. This was a bit of a puzzle, as I encountered no such problem when I had fitted the bracelet (temporarily) to the 729A. I quickly switched the ends around, and the symptom switched lugs, too, so that indicated the bracelet was the culprit. Eek! But, just to be sure, I got out the digital calipers and measured the width of the endlinks. Sure enough, one side was .18mm (that's .007 for you U.S. types Wink) larger than the other. I am confused This was just enough to cause it to bind on the one side. And it also illustrates how tightly these endlinks are designed to fit - the "good" side had a mere .09mm clearance.

The solution? Elementary my dear Watson! I fitted a super-fine bit to the Dremel®, buzzed lightly across one side of the offending endlink and..

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Voilà! IHD!

However, I must report that the surprises weren't over. I didn't notice until a few hours later, but when I did it caused me to do a major double-take! "WTH?! I thought this was a 100% solid-link bracelet! Crazy! Loco!" But, technically, that's not the case. Eek!

I am angry!

See it? No? OK, a closer look...

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Look closely at the 'crossbar' on that first link on the flip-lock side. Yep! Folded steel! I am angry!

Now it wouldn't be so bad, but it seems that "seam side out" is the position it naturally falls into. I can roll the seam to the inside and, 10 minutes later, it's facing out again. Frowning No big deal, really, I reckon I'll lock it down with a dab o' superglue. But it is a bit of a bother and, taken along with the oversize endlink, I don't hold these Will Jean bracelets in quite the regard I did before. I mean, yeah, they're good. But Top-Tier No-Compromises Grade A-1 Kit? No. Close, but no cigar.

I will admit..

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

That it wears Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8! WIS Honeymoon WIS Honeymoon WIS Honeymoon

Indeed, the "wearing experience" is totally transformed. Now, perhaps this should be expected, as a bracelet generally does make a big difference. Thing is, in this case it's much more pronounced a difference than I saw with the 6309-729A! And even that makes sense, I suppose, as this is a heftier bracelet. Where the 729A Oyster tapers from 22mm to 18mm, this one starts the same but tapers to only 20mm. Whatever, the difference feels huge, and all of a sudden the 7040 comes on like a pretty big watch after all. Wink

Of course, I HAD to try for a group shot!

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

And, amazingly enough, I nailed it in two tries.

Thus emboldened, I went for the Dual Hairy Wrist Shot inside! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

In fact, I went for it nearly a dozen times, and that's the best I could do. Frowning

What can I say? Blushing It's harder than it sounds on paper and Eek! anyway, when it comes to photography, I ain't exactly the sharpest pencil in the cup. I am crying

A B+ for effort, maybe? Smile

Thanks for lookin' y'all!

Cheers!

-Ricky
Live long and prosper.

Messages In This Thread


Subject Author Views Posted

Update! Seiko 6309-7040. Sure, you know what's coming.. Smile Image Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 178 March 30, 2011 07:58PM

Congrats Ricky, to a job well done, a great watch and photos to match. Thumbs up! (n/t)

 PN 21 April 02, 2011 07:07AM

Love the new combo, Rickster! Might fineHairy Wrist Shot inside!too!Clapping! (n/t)

 itschris 24 March 31, 2011 10:05PM

Looks GREAT! It's a perfect match Ricky! Thumbs Up Thumbs Up Cool (n/t)

 cmoy 28 March 31, 2011 07:12AM

Great !!! Cheers! (n/t)

 IF 42 March 31, 2011 01:54AM

Good job and result Ricky Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Reto 35 March 31, 2011 12:26AM

Looking good RL Thumbs Up for the Oyster combo (n/t)

 JP 28 March 30, 2011 09:49PM

Oh, Ricky. That's a solid looking combo. Very nice! Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Dave Murphy 27 March 30, 2011 09:45PM

Very nice Ricky! Thumbs Up Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Wen 30 March 30, 2011 09:13PM

Hey, weren't you going to wait a couple of weeks? Laughing Laughing (n/t)

 Adam in NYC 23 March 30, 2011 08:55PM

Looking good together, and nicely synchonised too Thumbs up! Jpeg Attachments
I also did the 6309 on each wrist thing, luckily I didn't have to take the photo myself:

Photo by AndrewP

 AndrewP 37 March 30, 2011 08:50PM

The fact that they were within 1 sec of being in synch was pure luck. Innocent
No! Really! I swear! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

Quote
AndrewP
..luckily I didn't have to take the photo myself:
Nice photo! Thumbs up!

Still, that's cheating, to use an assistant! I am angry!

Laughing
 Ricky Lee 38 March 31, 2011 09:28AM

Cool pic Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Reto 29 March 31, 2011 08:23AM

Andrew, were YOU standing on your head, or was the photagrapher? Laughing (n/t)

 JFK3531 41 March 31, 2011 05:30AM

I believe I was crouching down.... Jpeg Attachments
...but it was five years ago; and, as Ricky says, "It's harder than it sounds on paper" Laughing

Photo by AndrewP

 AndrewP 23 March 31, 2011 08:30AM

I fully exect to see one of those 6309's on a mesh bracelet someday. ;)
I'm not going to ask what part of your body pushed the shutter release on the last pic. Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

(Yeah, I know how you probably did it.. wink )

 Chris L 64 March 30, 2011 08:34PM

It could certainly happen! Smile

Quote
Chris L
I'm not going to ask what part of your body pushed the shutter release on the last pic. Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off
Eek!

I assure you that no cameras were abused in the making of those photos. Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off
Quote
Chris L
(Yeah, I know how you probably did it.. wink )
I did just like you reckon, I reckon. Innocent

* Camera on tripod.

* I'm seated behind camera

* Activate 10-second shutter self-timer

* Quickly reach around and position wrists, sort of "hugging" the tripod.

* Repeat 10 times until you get one shot that's not awful. Laughing
 Ricky Lee 32 March 31, 2011 09:23AM

What!?! A bracelet on an RL watch? What's the world coming to? Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off (n/t)

 MCV 36 March 30, 2011 08:23PM

I am confused I consider myself "a bracelet guy"!
Well.. bracelets and NATOs. Wink Between those two, you've covered 90%+ of all my watches. Laughing

 Ricky Lee 31 March 31, 2011 09:14AM

Very nice RL. You put a lot into it and it is appreciated.Thumbs up! (n/t)

 ErikP 36 March 30, 2011 08:16PM

Great photos once again! Thumbs up! Cheers! (n/t)

 Need_Omega 29 March 30, 2011 08:04PM


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