Caveman's Watch Forum
Avatar It's a happy day today. The new watch arrived! This one fills a brand-new niche in my collection. Post contains photos Post contains linked URL
Ricky Lee
May 10, 2009 09:13PM
Registered: April 2005
Posts: 2,813 (2009-05)

Said niche being "Moonphase". Believe it or not, this is the first true moonphase I've ever owned! It's another Wayward Wristwatch of the SoCal Contingent, a Seiko 7F39-6000, manufactured in October of 1986 according to the Seiko Date Calculator. A dimunitive li'l thing, at 34.5mm X 38.5mm x 7.4mm thick, here it is on the OEM bracelet;

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo

The bracelet was too short, of course. In fact, it was too short even for me wife Scary! which was actually a lucky thing, as she definitely had her eye on it. Laughing! Note that while it has the look of an integrated bracelet, 'tis actually just 16mm hooded lugs. So my options were a leather strap, or thin nylon. I tried a nylon strap first, but it just didn't appeal. Soooo, a 16mm X-Long leather is what I need. Ever try to find such a beast? Not easy! Scary! Not without breaking the bank, at least. But I've got people. Wink, wink ... I sent me good pal Otto Frei $9.48..

Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

.. and 4 days later I'm the happy owner of a WBHQ model 131-16XL Extra Long Classic Calf, Black 16mm. Is Happy Day! Yippee!

A word about these WBHQ (Watchband Headquarters) straps from Otto Frei. That word is "Nice!" Thumbs Up! No, you'd never mistake them for a truly high-end strap. But they're definitely a notch up from what you'll find at your local Wal-Mart (Speidels and the like). Prices range from $7.48 to $10.98, depending on size and style, with the majority running in the $8.48 to $9.48 range. And if, like me, you require an X-Long you won't find a better selection anywhere. Given all this, these straps are an excellent value, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Thumbs Up!

Ennyway.. I'd considered custom-notching a larger strap, similar to the combo on the Dolphin Worldtime..


Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..but the outside width of the lugs is kind of oddball, at 19.3mm. So an 18mm is too narrow, nor does a 20mm match up perfectly, either. I am confused... Since, to my eyes, this kind of notched strap really needs a perfect width match, I elected to go with a plain ol' 16mm strap.

And I do WIS honeymoon the result!


Photo by Ricky Lee

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

The strap tapers to 14mm at the buckle..

Photo by Ricky Lee

..and, while that did take some gettin' used to, used to it I am. It now feels quite natural - feather light, and one of the most comfy leather strap combos I've ever had the pleasure of wearin'. Thumbs Up! Is Happy Day! WIS honeymoonIs Happy Day! Thumbs Up!

Thank ye kindly for your attention, Constant Reader.

-Ricky




P.s. - Oh, and no, I haven't even given this one a cleaning yet. 'twas in surprisingly good condition, so basically all I've done is install a new 373 battey, caseback gasket (old one was stretched a bit), throw on the strap end enjoy it! Gee I love these vintage Seikos! Thumbs Up!

Messages In This Thread

It's a happy day today. The new watch arrived! This one fills a brand-new niche in my collection. Post contains photos Post contains linked URL (Views: 129)
Ricky Lee -- May 10, 2009 09:13PM
Enjoy that moonie! (Views: 5)
hedgesjr -- May 11, 2009 12:22AM
I remember seeing these (with regular lugs, I recall) when I was in high school, and lusting after them. Thumbs Up!

Very Cool! Thumbs Up! (n/t) (Views: 3)
SoCalWis -- May 10, 2009 11:43PM
Very nice and remarkably similar to one of mine... Post contains photos (Views: 15)
jgiedt -- May 10, 2009 10:49PM
The face looks familiar, no? Thanks for the great report! I appreciate your posts.- Jeff

Photo by Jeff Giedt

Sure does! Just might be the same 7F39 Seiko movement! Post contains photos (Views: 6)
Ricky Lee -- May 10, 2009 11:45PM
Certainly the layout seems to be an exact match. If it has a 2nd crown at 9 o'clock, that is?
Quote
jgiedt
Thanks for the great report! I appreciate your posts.- Jeff
Thank you! Jeff!

We certainly seem to be in good company in liking this watch. A quick search of the SCWF turned up one from none other than yobokies...

Photo by yobokies

..and given HIS knowledge of watches (and, indeed, all things horological!) that speaks volumes.

And one from our own Jim Halinda...

Photo by Jim Halinda

..though, WTH has Jim been lately? Last archived post I got from him is 2007! Scary!

And this one from.. ahh, crap! Forgot to tag the poster. But 'tis a nice photo!

Photo source unknown

And perhaps my favorite, by BrandonS;

Photo by BrandonS

Brandon has also posted here on the in the past.

Ennyway, the Seiko 7F39 movement is way, way, way under-rated, I reckon!

-Ricky

Yeah, it does have one hiding under my cuff. (Views: 4)
jgiedt -- May 11, 2009 02:00AM
I understand that LaSalle is(was) a Seiko brand. That watch is my college grad gift from Dad in 1988.

Re: I understand that LaSalle is (was) a Seiko brand. (Views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- May 11, 2009 02:28AM
Ah! Yes, now that I brush the cobwebs out of me cranium, I do believe you're right.

Almost certainly a 7F39 hiding in there, then. Thumbs Up!

-Ricky

Nice result! Thumbs Up! How 'bout doing me a favor' and>> (Views: 4)
Dave Murphy -- May 10, 2009 10:29PM
>>making some quick measurements of that 16mm strap. Like springbar-to-tang on the buckle end, and springbar-to-hole on the other end, plus the range of adjustment of the holes.

I got a couple Elgins around here, which take a 16mm strap, and while my wrist is not as big as yours, it's bigger than most guys around here. And those elgins are smaller cases. So, I'm trying to gauge whether or not to specify the x-long strap.

And finally, I say if Miss Pamela has been eyeing that watch, you better shine it up for her. Laughing! You can admire that seiko just as well on her wrist as on yours!

Dave
Ontario NY, USA

Sure thing! I make it.. (Views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- May 10, 2009 11:06PM
springbar-to-tang on the buckle end = 86.5mm

springbar-to-first-hole on the long end = 66mm

springbar-to-last-hole on the long end = 107mm

hole spacing = 7mm
Quote
Dave Murphy
I'm trying to gauge whether or not to specify the x-long strap.
It's available in a Long as well as X-Long. Prexactly how that differs dimensionally.. well, that's up to you and Otto. Laughing!
Quote
Dave Murphy
..you better shine it up for her. Laughing! You can admire that seiko just as well on her wrist as on yours!
Hey! I don't steal HER watches! I am angry!!

Seriously.. yeah, you're right. It really does fit her better'n me, so at some point I'll almost certainly turn it over to her, hat in hand. And two will get ya five I get lucky that evenin'! Laughing! Thumbs Up!

-Ricky

Thank you! So noted! I'll use that>> (Views: 4)
Dave Murphy -- May 11, 2009 01:17AM
>>info to determine which I need for the project.
Quote
RLMcB
two will get ya five
prolly just so. Laughing! Laughing!

wow. thats a beautiful watch .. >> (Views: 5)
anjizkit -- May 10, 2009 09:27PM
at least i can sleep soundly thinking that none of my 6.1 inch wrist sized watches will fit you (or ur wife) Lauging out loud!

Re: ..i can sleep soundly thinking that none of my 6.1 inch wrist sized watches will fit you (or ur wife) Laughing! (Views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- May 10, 2009 11:22PM
You're safe in the case of me own fat-ass wrist, sure.

But not from Miss Pamela! Laughing!

No indeed, she's almost an exact match, at 6-1/8 inch. Only thing that saves your bacon is, she likes her watch to fit a li'l on the loose side (if I adjust one of hers to the same class of fit I like, she says "It's strangling my wrist!" I am smiling...) , so 6-3/8" to 6-1/2" works for her.

Crazy, man! thing is, the OEM bracelet was adjusted to ~ 5-3/4" when it arrived. Is your wrist really that small, PaulGeo? Wink, wink ...

-Ricky

Scary! AM hiding all my watches. and yes paul geo's wrist is smaller than mine too (n/t) (Views: 4)
anjizkit -- May 11, 2009 02:10AM
Ah, you can trust Miss Pam. I am in love! She'd never steal your watches. (Views: 5)
Ricky Lee -- May 11, 2009 02:40AM
Unless I put 'er up to it, that is! Laughing!

-Ricky

6.1 inch? I have fingers bigger than that!! Laughing! (n/t) (Views: 4)
Allan Zirlin -- May 10, 2009 10:30PM
Hey now. It's not the size of the wrist that matters as much as what you can do with it. Laughing! (Views: 6)
Chris L -- May 10, 2009 10:43PM
At least that is what I've been told all my life by ladies I've arm-wrestled. Wink, wink ...

Hmmmm. Wonder why that sounds familiar? I am confused! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! (n/t) (Views: 4)
Ricky Lee -- May 10, 2009 11:23PM
Whew! That could've taken a nasty turn! Rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off! (n/t) (Views: 3)
TakesALickin -- May 10, 2009 11:03PM


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