I honestly think a true used tool watch like this deserves new more legible hands, it’s whole life it’s been relied on as a tool not a collectable. Great work 👍
This Seiko Willard has more than just one story now - a double story indeed: the lifetime adventure of a Royal Force / Commercial diver, and the special bond between two friends who have met in difficult times. Amazing to be part of this as your subscriber. My sincere wishes to you for a lengthy, healthy life.
Brilliant video, love watching you work on watches...you make it human! You will beat the cancer and you and your new friend will have many good years ahead to chat about watches!
@@MyRetroWatches I am sure you have, I was diagnosed with Folicular non Hodgkins Lymphoma in September 2021, has radiotherapy and have no return of symptoms so far. Keep happy and healthy and keep making your brilliant watch videos!
I have the first watch my grandfather bought with his first paycheck in this country in 1971. It has a wittnaur movement it has stopped ticking recently. I hope I can find someone to get it going. I know wittnaur is not high quality but it means so much to me. I love your videos
Great fiddle tunes there... count me in as a Bluegrass Singer and Guitarist!... love the seiko brand. I acquired a Pulsar v736 6a50 back in 1995. Its quartz, but I love it. I use it all the time..
Love the video. Great story. Glad your doing good. I was a hard hat diver back in the 80's in NJ. My dive watch was a Seiko 7548-700f. Still have the watch and do wear it in its original condition other than the band and it still keeps excellent time.
Hi Mike Fantastic video, one of your best in my opinion. Great to have your content to watch again. I loved the back-story and the build with the initial poor performance that you successfully diagnosed and sorted. Well done, Mike. Already looking forward to your next video. Best wishes Simon
Glad you enjoyed it Simon. More effort went into the production of this one so hopefully it pays off in views. One video has never taken a month before! Happy its been received well so far and comments are positive. See you next week.
I enjoyed every moment of this video, and what an honour for you to service it for a new found friend, both in the same boat together so to speak. I think IMHO you did exactly the right thing to keep the dial lume and hands original, they tell a story of a watch used in a harsh environment as it was designed to be. Besides, if the owner wants to replace them at the next service he can still do so, and the original ones can be either kept safe somewhere or polished and relumed. Good to see that you filmed the initial timegrapher results, it made me feel better about myself as this usually happens to me as well! Well done Mike and pleased you are feeling much better.
I still have my 6309 from 1978 in Naples , 15 years it rarely left my wrist. Many dives and many dings and dents and only one service she runs like a champ.
Great story. I would say change the hands, I watch a lot of car restoration channels and have yet to see anyone leaving rusted through panels to preserve authenticity.
Great video, great back story and great restoration Mike…as anticipated 😊 What a leisurely way to start my Sunday here ‘down-under’ in Australia with your video while my wife sleeps in 😊 Mike your videos are a great inspiration to us all. Thank you!
Always thoroughly enjoy your stories Mike and im glad there's been some positive outcomes since your diagnosis. Keith sounds like an incredibly interesting character and I can imagine it must be quite an honour to service this piece of history. All the best from Sunny Scotland and thanks again for all the efforts gone into providing this audience with another fantastic watch repair story. Love your work Mike, long may it continue!
Thank you Steven. I’m just trying to forget what happened last year other than spreading awareness as much as I can. Keith was my saviour on the day not that he would admit that! Turns out he is a lovely guy.
Glad the health issues are cleared up. I don't have any Seiko's myself but I want to work on some based on watching you and others working with and talking about the simplicity of some of the springs and systems as compared to the Swiss stuff.
A fantastic restoration. I loved the story, history of the watch and the end result. The crystal change made a huge difference and you have to leave the hands as they are they look great with the bezel.
Amazing quality on this video I like the fact that the watch has lived a life and leaving it as it is is good you will eventually source another set of hands seiko bits always turn up 👍
Outstanding video Mike, always a pleasure to while away an afternoon chilling watching you rebuild a watch, personally I think the hands are past it and the watch deserves a new set. Take care and stay well.
This makes me think of my uncle’s watch. He was US Army Special Forces MACVSOG. The same thing captain Willard was. Well he became a Rolex Submariner before he left in 1974, the watch still is worn to this day, it’s a survivor with one hell of a story. He got shot by an AK47 and he was shot right through the middle of the Rolex. He sent it to Rolex and they rebuilt it and engraved on the back it says was hit by a 7.62 bullet from a ak47. The watch has also dove ship wrecks. He did actually find Spanish gold. I have a coin that was made into a necklace. The coin is just healed in like stones and held in on rings.
Cheers, Mike! What a story of grace! I hope that many others will be as genuinely touched as am I at the opportunity that arose from the direst of circumstances. Hats off to you for restoring this watch, its history, and for forging a new friendship in the face of (or perhaps to spite) the circumstances of your cancer. Godspeed, and thank you! 😊
Lovely watch, lovely video, lots of good info for me. I've just "invested in" a stopped classic 6106-8100 which uses a very closely related movement (a Dainiseikosha 6106B). Supposing this on-line purchase lives up to the sales blurb that it has had but two owners from new and is all original, I could be onto a winner? I must say it was most comforting to get your information about interchangeability of many internal parts of the movement in Seikos of the period; and this together with a jeweller friends thumbs up prior to deciding to closing my deal, is leaving me feeling like I definitely did the right thing. Keen to know how you get on with the hands on this Willard watch, so please post again once it's been decided if you will change them? Richard
Hi, Hope you are on the mend, and many thanks for the video... great stuff, I would love to have the same conference as you have, to maintain the odd watch or two... up to now, I've only swoped movements, not yet brave enough 😬 to do more.... Great work, and thanks.
Great vid to watch. The Willard is my favourite Seiko. I only have the steel dive version myself. It’s a fine line how far you go with restoring something like this and It would be easy to just completely replace everything and make it look like new but as you say and I agree all the history would be lost. I do think though the hands were past it and perhaps it would be ok to replace them and not lose any of it’s original character.
Thank you. I like my Steeldive and its such good value for money. I will be producing in the next few days a comparison between the two on my second channel as I think it will be interesting. I agree the hands are past it and probably i will replace and just keep the old ones for provenance.
I'm about half way through this video at the moment and will have to watch the rest tomorrow morning. Wonderful story re your friendship with Keith and I wish you both a speedy recovery. Let's be mindful of the Prostrate stuff guys and keep an eye on our plumbing. I went to get mine checked and I told the nurse I'd forgot what I had an appointment for, she said I'm going to check your Prostrate. I said, oh yeah, I couldn't just put my finger on it! BTW, the mention of the Faslane site reminded me that a scene in The Spy Who Loved me was filmed up there.
4:19 wow. Those hands were really on there. I've never had an issue taking hands of, but it's good to know that it's possible to experience that. Now I can be aware.
Great video as always. I love this watch. Looks like though it is not that easy to service. I wonder how many of these are still sitting in night stands across the world. Changing the hands is a tough one. I can see changing them to help bring the watch back to as close to show room shineas you can, but then I can understand wanting to keep as much of the watch original too. I will leave it up to you. Also, I am very glad you had someone to talk to before your surgery. Having someone there to help comfort you and keep your mind off of your fears is so important. I had major spine surgery last May. I unfortunatly was not allowed to have anyone with me while I waited for my surgery. With covid around here in the US, they will not allow you that comfort. I can understand why but I was a mess by the time they took me back to the surgery room. Well, I am so glad you are on the mend. I hope you continue to get good news. Can't wait for the next video. Thank you so much for doing these videos. They help me in more ways than you know.. Dan C.
Thank you Dan. The 6105 is easy enough, just that spring in the keyless messed with me a little. We have a much different kind of health care here in the uk. Rarely would you have a private room. My ward had 4 beds which were all taken. I did wake up back in a private room though (Keith had gone home at this point) but only because I needed some higher dependency due to being returned from my operations at 9.30pm
I have ab original Willard that I picked up in 1972 while on my first time overseas, mine still runs and keeps great time, I just need to find a replacement second hand for it..
Great job, thanks for sharing. I can understand the dilemma you face regarding changing the look of the watch but personally I'd change hands and possibly re lume face. As for the case, bezel etc leave exactly as they are in my opinion
I'm chilling-easy seeing you renovate a Seiko watch, not just showcasing high-end Swiss watches (not worth your while otherwise!) Tag Heuer, Breitling, Rolex, Ulysses Nardin, Patek-Philippe, Panerai, Vacheron-Constantin, Breguet, Bremont, Jaeger Lecoultre, Richard PerreGaux and all the other top-end Swiss watches are usually all we see on channels such as yours! Whereas a couple of these watches can exceed the value of my house! I _do_ own several high-end Citizen watches though, (Promaster Sky) two Seiko 3rd gen Orange Monster, 2nd gen "Dracula" Monsters, and several other mid-range Citizens and Seikos...all bought BNIB. So I do like to see Seiko's or Citizens (Miyota-Epson Cal's) being renovated by an expert aficionado with great camera and narration skills such as yourself! I recently bought an _Iron Annie_ Solar watch, interesting caliber, also a Seiko "Fugu" Ltd Edition. Would be great to see a service on one of these! Officially Certified Swiss Chronometers are superlative and out of reach of the working man but not the affluent but there's not too many out of 7000 viewers maybe 140 (2%) of them that own an _A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Datograph Tourbillon!_
Thank you for your compliment. As a hobbyist with shallow pockets I can’t really afford big names and have more fun with the lesser brands which are more my cup of tea and working on them or restoring them is very satisfying. I’ve been doing RUclips now for 5 years as a hobby and the biggest “name” has been Omega which I don’t really like that much to work on, but that’s another story Sounds like you have quite the collection
I'm just curious, a now deceased friend who was a Navy instrumentman. When he came across corrosion in watches and other devices would use a small amount of Zippo lighter fluid to break down the corrosion befor disassembly. I've watched numerous videos where they were dealing with this and never saw it done.
Here’s a tip for rusty parts in a watch. Get this chemical called calcium lime and rust remover. I think it’s named clr. It’s usually used to dissolve hard water buildup from shower heads. I have used it for removing rust from paint with no damage to paint and when I get something like you just had if it doesn’t come apart easily how you were able to I soak it in that solution. The best way is to get a small glass container and fill it up with your rusty parts in and put it in the ultrasonic cleaner and the rust will be gone in about 10 minutes with 0 damage to the metal it was on.
I do remember when that Aswan dam was being built and they moved the Egyptian statues they were gargantuan, they cut them into pieces and move them to a new site. I think it was around 1967 or eight I was a young School boy at the time.
It was stuck in hospital for 5 weeks that started my own journey, right up until the last few days I had a great big fist sized hole in my chest because I had contracted a staph infection off the operating table and I was on 2 types of IV antibiotics right until my discharge, it was not a fun time. Every person in my ward room was like me, ex-services and we all had the same tale to tell in that once upon a time we were all super fit athletic sorts but the years out we let it drift and then we became super unfit and I was told it was common for ex servicemen to have this problem. So with my laptop I was watching like anything RUclips video's and that was around about the time My Mate Vince did a vid on a Tudor or something a bit posh and he made it look so easy, I vowed on my release I would dig out my two ancient Sekonda's and fix them up. Which I did and both work perfectly many years later, it was a Seiko Vince did that brought me to your channel as you fixed it up for him where he had some problems and I have watched every one of your excellent videos since :)
At the 50 year + mark with that watch and history, new hands and refurbished dial as well as a refurbished case would be the only way I would roll. She had one career of tough knocks, retirement ought to be fun and get her admired with Ohhhhs and AHHsss . There you go! One watch lover's opinion!
I have hands. I would not entertain restoring the dial as that can go wrong very quickly and the case would need a specialist like the Lapinist on instagram. The finish is very specific. Equally though remember it’s not my watch it’s Keith’s and it’s his memories in this watch. Every dent and scratch is of his making
I would like to have seen a rejuvenation of the lume. Give it the night time functionality. Could be a personal growth moment... Love the channel regardless.
A much as thats a nice idea, with it being not my watch and one that is now so expensive authenticity is paramount. I have only ever re-lumed one dial and that was done on film in the channel probably 3 years ago. It was not the best finish! Appreciate you like my videos so thank you for watching.
Nice one Mike. Love it. Had you thought about adding a new main spring? Also have you got a staking set, you could have reduced the hole in the plate where the top of the barrel pivots? How go you like your Bergeon 5500 press, worth the cost? Hands, well that’s down to the client, might have been good to do a shot with new hands on, this way everyone could see the alternative? Keep the great work up!
HI Boyd. Rare for me to put a new spring in these Seikos. Never found I needed to, they seem to always have good enough power in them. This one probably had not been wound for 30 years either to have lost any of its memory. That's my take anyway. Had the amplitude been really low after ruling out everything then i would look at the power. I dont like the closing of a hole with a stake, feels like a bodge to me. I would much rather jewel it. I will be talking to a very good friend soon who jewels Seikos all the time to understand the tools required. As for hands I am trying to find some. The aftermarket ones are all for NH35 type movements which I am unsure will fit .... yet.
@@MyRetroWatches thanks Mike, good stuff. I’d love to see a video how to add a jewel. I have a balance that has a broken regulator pin, have you ever fixed this issue before?
Cold crown jewels you should have come with me 3 years ago when I went to Moscow to collect a vintage Cossack motorcycle I started riding at -20 deg C got back to zero about the time I got into western germany now that was cold , but I wanted that motorcycle
Thanks for another awesome video. As you predicted, I have to agree that the original hands should be kept. Btw, I am more vintage than both you and the watch. Take care.
I think if it was mine, I would have to decide which way I was going to use it in the future. If I wanted to keep it as a keepsake or investment, it may be best to keep the original hands for the providence and history. If I was going to keep it to wear on a regular basis I would probably want to put some new hands on it so I could see the lume and it would be dressed back up just a bit.
I'd put new hands on, other then that great restoration and safe. The ecape 49:21-49:23 on the left(spoke) looks like it may have a crack in it, and if thats the case wouldn't that throw the balance off.
Hmm well we all will have different thoughts - but poisonally I would replace those hands if decent quality repros are available. My 6309-7040 'Turtle' bought in Suva Fiji back in '78 has similar case and bezel knocks from diving & snorkelling use that I like as genuine patina. My local NZ watchmakers 'PILBROWS' did a full service including replacing the worn barrel bush with a jewel .. much appreciated. - Likely I might wear it more if the face & hand lume was re-done?? but that might spoil the 45 y.o "originality" eh. Cheers and Best Wishes.
When its your watch and you want to enjoy it replacing or renewing is your decision. I am on the camp of lume is a serviceable component. Its there to serve a purpose and is a function of the watch. To leave it for the purists is fine but renewed and done well by a professional or a passionate hobbyist (I know a guy who is superb at this kind of work) can only lift the watch. If its then worn as a result well thats the purpose of a watch!
I don’t think so really. Watch is under pressure for a long time like weeks. When they would go down in the dive bell and acclimatise they would pull out the crown of the watch. Only when they entered the water from the bell is the Watch needing to be watertight. At this point the watch is not fighting the pressure as it’s been balanced. Hopefully that makes sense
I have a Omega Dynamic that is running about 2min fast per day, I put it in for a service and I don’t think they even opened the back any chance you could take a look at it?
Sorry I don’t take on work anymore. Plus I am no fan of Omega as parts are crazy price. Watch running fast is most likely a hairspring coil catching or stuck. If it’s been for a service I’d take it back!
This is a great story! I like to think that all the scuffs and scrapes, dings and gouges on my watches were from hard use action while in my military service (25 yrs), on the field of battle during the war on terror, some are. But in reality most of the scrapes and dings were from washing my hands in the kitchen sink, getting in and out of the shower, fixing the lawn mower/doing lawn maintenance, or opening the door to my refrigerator. 😂
Brilliant! for me its door handles. I catch my watches on those all the time. As least with this Seiko we know its seen some action underwater which just adds to the provenance. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed this video.
@@robertwhitcomb6105 Haha. Yes! My wife always makes fun of me because I bump into, scrape against, step on, or kick away things in my walking path. I my answer is, "Hey, men take up space. I'm a man."
Amazing story. People underestimate the benefit of just chatting with people in the hospital with you. They are terrified or hopeless and yet a little chat can go a long way to make them go through their day.
I've only been hospitalised once and had a rough first night in the ward. The next morning some old lady opposite me struck up a conversation. She was a paraplegic, yet she was also the primary carer for her husband! Anyway, she mentioned Stoke Mandeville hospital and that triggered my memory, as it was highly involved with Jimmy Saville. For those outside the UK, one of the most twisted and insane stories out there. Her life, her struggles, her worries and then her friendship and love for Jimmy. Wild conversations.
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I purchased my Seiko Divers watch in May 1971 while a patient in the Camp Zama military hospital recovering from wounds received in action in Vietnam. I paid $57 US dollars for it in the Camp Zama PX. I was an avid scuba diver and my watch had over 2000 hrs under water in it's career. I too upgraded to a Rolex, not a Submariner, but a GMT Master. The Seiko while still a fully functional watch was relegated to the safe and the GMT Master became my daily watch. One day in 2015 just out of curiosity I took the Seiko out and wound it up and wore it for the day. After several days of wearing it I found it was gaining time. Seems it was time to get it serviced. It was the first service it ever received. Cleaning, lube and proper adjustment and reseal cost $158 US. The repair man told me what an iconic watch this model Seiko was. He mentioned the fact about it being Martin Sheens watch in the Apocalypse Now movie but he called it a "Turtle", never heard it called a "Willard" because that was Sheens name in the movie. He explained that there was a huge collectors interest in these watches and considering that this was a one owner watch would probably command a premium. I listed the watch on eBay with a starting price of $450. I got 17 private emails in the first hour. I ended up cutting a deal with a bloke from England for $575 US, cutting eBay completely out of the deal. I guess it was a good investment and hope it serves it next owner as well as it did me. 👍
Hello Mike, I’m new to your channel having seen a dozen or so videos in the past month. I didn’t know of your bout with cancer. I hope all is well. The best part of this story is how heart warming the kindness of some people is. That a few fellows in a hospital room can strike up a conversation and distract from the fear and discomfort you were facing. The watch is but a reminder, a very interesting one in itself at that. Thanks for sharing.
The comradery between men! Keith was a proper gentleman that day and something I will never forget. As for the cancer well yes a shocker at only 50 but I seem to be doing okay. I did make a video on it recently on the channel, mainly to make men aware of this disease and what to look out for. Also with my subscribers help raised a whopping £2200 for Prostate Cancer UK
Licensed paramedic, guitarist and watch enthusiast here. The comments you made on this video struck a chord with me. I will indeed buy you a coffee. Be well.
I've found that when you have varied interests and skill sets, it crosses over well into other interests and can help you solve a problem in says that is typically outside of that wheelhouse.
Loved watching the restoration and what a great story. Its great that you show the good, the bad and the ugly of the service process as makes it more human. I would be terrified to go anywhere near a watch innards! Sent you some pictures on IG of when my inherited Willard was being serviced (also saw a decent amount of diving action).
Thank you. Lovely watch you have there sir! (still to get on first name terms with you!) I will always show any mistakes or problems. I am a hobbyist and want to convey that over in the videos. Its easy by virtue of editing to make yourself look all professional but I like to inspire and show it does not have to be all polished to get a good result. Some people think this is a magic art but really its not . I believe you can do it and with your passion and knowledge for watches its honestly an itch you will scratch one day 100%
Had the same hand (and face) problem,on my 6139. I changed them. Still got the old parts. Treated myself to the watch in 1973ish. It's wearing better than me😁
I have read that there were 3 watch brands that were most popular for guys to wear in Vietnam. Rolex , Glycine , Seiko. The 6105 just keeps going up in value.
Did i change the hands? see the follow on video where I give the watch back to Keith here: ruclips.net/video/m9cH3z6PD7A/видео.html
I honestly think a true used tool watch like this deserves new more legible hands, it’s whole life it’s been relied on as a tool not a collectable. Great work 👍
Yea it's not a museum piece it's a 'survivor' watch!
I too agree. Noting originality cannot be replicated, a watch like this requires a box to hold the original parts and papers.
I love that you show us the trouble shooting techniques after the bad timegrapher results. Most channels don't do that and it's very helpful.
Thank you. I like to keep it real!
This Seiko Willard has more than just one story now - a double story indeed: the lifetime adventure of a Royal Force / Commercial diver, and the special bond between two friends who have met in difficult times. Amazing to be part of this as your subscriber. My sincere wishes to you for a lengthy, healthy life.
Thank you so much . lovely comment and I could not say it any better.
With the different watches I have been in, Seiko’s bi directional auto winder is the slickest one out there. Whoever invented that was a smart cookie.
Brilliant video, love watching you work on watches...you make it human! You will beat the cancer and you and your new friend will have many good years ahead to chat about watches!
Thank you. I am hoping I have already beaten cancer and that it does not come back.
@@MyRetroWatches I am sure you have, I was diagnosed with Folicular non Hodgkins Lymphoma in September 2021, has radiotherapy and have no return of symptoms so far. Keep happy and healthy and keep making your brilliant watch videos!
I have the first watch my grandfather bought with his first paycheck in this country in 1971. It has a wittnaur movement it has stopped ticking recently. I hope I can find someone to get it going. I know wittnaur is not high quality but it means so much to me. I love your videos
Great fiddle tunes there... count me in as a Bluegrass Singer and Guitarist!... love the seiko brand. I acquired a Pulsar v736 6a50 back in 1995. Its quartz, but I love it. I use it all the time..
Love the video. Great story. Glad your doing good. I was a hard hat diver back in the 80's in NJ. My dive watch was a Seiko 7548-700f. Still have the watch and do wear it in its original condition other than the band and it still keeps excellent time.
Hi Mike
Fantastic video, one of your best in my opinion. Great to have your content to watch again. I loved the back-story and the build with the initial poor performance that you successfully diagnosed and sorted.
Well done, Mike.
Already looking forward to your next video.
Best wishes
Simon
Glad you enjoyed it Simon. More effort went into the production of this one so hopefully it pays off in views. One video has never taken a month before!
Happy its been received well so far and comments are positive.
See you next week.
I enjoyed every moment of this video, and what an honour for you to service it for a new found friend, both in the same boat together so to speak. I think IMHO you did exactly the right thing to keep the dial lume and hands original, they tell a story of a watch used in a harsh environment as it was designed to be. Besides, if the owner wants to replace them at the next service he can still do so, and the original ones can be either kept safe somewhere or polished and relumed. Good to see that you filmed the initial timegrapher results, it made me feel better about myself as this usually happens to me as well! Well done Mike and pleased you are feeling much better.
New hands definitely. You tried your best. Well done 👍😊
I still have my 6309 from 1978 in Naples , 15 years it rarely left my wrist. Many dives and many dings and dents and only one service she runs like a champ.
Great mix of repair and historical story telling!
Great story. I would say change the hands, I watch a lot of car restoration channels and have yet to see anyone leaving rusted through panels to preserve authenticity.
I hear you. Problem right now if actually finding the same hands that fit.
Amazing story and brilliant work.
Great video, great back story and great restoration Mike…as anticipated 😊
What a leisurely way to start my Sunday here ‘down-under’ in Australia with your video while my wife sleeps in 😊
Mike your videos are a great inspiration to us all. Thank you!
g'day mate. Hard to believe my videos travel so far! pleased you liked this one. Was a proper labour of love to produce it.
Always thoroughly enjoy your stories Mike and im glad there's been some positive outcomes since your diagnosis. Keith sounds like an incredibly interesting character and I can imagine it must be quite an honour to service this piece of history.
All the best from Sunny Scotland and thanks again for all the efforts gone into providing this audience with another fantastic watch repair story. Love your work Mike, long may it continue!
Thank you Steven. I’m just trying to forget what happened last year other than spreading awareness as much as I can.
Keith was my saviour on the day not that he would admit that!
Turns out he is a lovely guy.
Always great to have a real story with a rescue.
Glad the health issues are cleared up. I don't have any Seiko's myself but I want to work on some based on watching you and others working with and talking about the simplicity of some of the springs and systems as compared to the Swiss stuff.
Nice work Mike, myself I would replace the handset to make it more pleaseing to the eye and keep the originals safe.
Beautiful watch. Beautiful story. Beautiful repair work. It was very nice to watch.😊
Thank you very much!
A fantastic restoration. I loved the story, history of the watch and the end result. The crystal change made a huge difference and you have to leave the hands as they are they look great with the bezel.
Thank you for sharing, take care!
Thank you for this! Glad you enjoyed this video sir.
Amazing quality on this video I like the fact that the watch has lived a life and leaving it as it is is good you will eventually source another set of hands seiko bits always turn up 👍
Thank you
Really loved this story, just love hearing thr back story of a good watch, what a lovely bloke Keith is :)
Outstanding video Mike, always a pleasure to while away an afternoon chilling watching you rebuild a watch, personally I think the hands are past it and the watch deserves a new set. Take care and stay well.
Thank you. There are more for changing the hands than not. I find that a bit surprising.
Great story for a great watch and a great new friend
Great People, Great Watches, Great Work. Thanks!
new hands versus old? new for me, sentiment has to take a back seat here
Great story Mike. Thanks for sharing. My wife and I enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the good work
Thank you both for watching and all the best for 2023
This makes me think of my uncle’s watch. He was US Army Special Forces MACVSOG. The same thing captain Willard was. Well he became a Rolex Submariner before he left in 1974, the watch still is worn to this day, it’s a survivor with one hell of a story.
He got shot by an AK47 and he was shot right through the middle of the Rolex. He sent it to Rolex and they rebuilt it and engraved on the back it says was hit by a 7.62 bullet from a ak47. The watch has also dove ship wrecks. He did actually find Spanish gold. I have a coin that was made into a necklace. The coin is just healed in like stones and held in on rings.
Cheers, Mike! What a story of grace! I hope that many others will be as genuinely touched as am I at the opportunity that arose from the direst of circumstances. Hats off to you for restoring this watch, its history, and for forging a new friendship in the face of (or perhaps to spite) the circumstances of your cancer. Godspeed, and thank you! 😊
Thank you Daniel. Such a lovely sentiment in your comment. Its the watch gods working in mysterious ways to put Keith and myself together that day.
Love your vids! Thanks for all your hard work in making them. All the best to you, sir.
Thank you very much!
Nice sympathetic restoration and service Mike and great story. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it
Lovely watch, lovely video, lots of good info for me. I've just "invested in" a stopped classic 6106-8100 which uses a very closely related movement (a Dainiseikosha 6106B). Supposing this on-line purchase lives up to the sales blurb that it has had but two owners from new and is all original, I could be onto a winner? I must say it was most comforting to get your information about interchangeability of many internal parts of the movement in Seikos of the period; and this together with a jeweller friends thumbs up prior to deciding to closing my deal, is leaving me feeling like I definitely did the right thing.
Keen to know how you get on with the hands on this Willard watch, so please post again once it's been decided if you will change them? Richard
Hi, Hope you are on the mend, and many thanks for the video... great stuff, I would love to have the same conference as you have, to maintain the odd watch or two... up to now, I've only swoped movements, not yet brave enough 😬 to do more.... Great work, and thanks.
Thank you I feel like the same man before cancer with just a few adjustments.
Great vid to watch. The Willard is my favourite Seiko. I only have the steel dive version myself. It’s a fine line how far you go with restoring something like this and It would be easy to just completely replace everything and make it look like new but as you say and I agree all the history would be lost. I do think though the hands were past it and perhaps it would be ok to replace them and not lose any of it’s original character.
Thank you. I like my Steeldive and its such good value for money. I will be producing in the next few days a comparison between the two on my second channel as I think it will be interesting. I agree the hands are past it and probably i will replace and just keep the old ones for provenance.
New hands Mike, lovely watch.
danke für die Story und für das Video!
Great video and incredible story!
Great service and restoration of this iconic Seiko. Personally, I’d probably keep the hands as is. Hope you’re well and on the mend
Thank you Steve. Life is pretty much back to normal. Still some smaller issues but you adjust to them.
I'm about half way through this video at the moment and will have to watch the rest tomorrow morning. Wonderful story re your friendship with Keith and I wish you both a speedy recovery. Let's be mindful of the Prostrate stuff guys and keep an eye on our plumbing. I went to get mine checked and I told the nurse I'd forgot what I had an appointment for, she said I'm going to check your Prostrate. I said, oh yeah, I couldn't just put my finger on it! BTW, the mention of the Faslane site reminded me that a scene in The Spy Who Loved me was filmed up there.
4:19 wow. Those hands were really on there. I've never had an issue taking hands of, but it's good to know that it's possible to experience that. Now I can be aware.
rusted on.
Very cool, thanks for sharing the story of that watch.
Just accepted my need for "willard" so i watchet this second time ✌️😁
I am binging on Seiko repairs.
Fantastic vid Mike 👍 thoroughly enjoyed it ....a great story and an iconic watch
Thank you kindly!
Great video as always. I love this watch. Looks like though it is not that easy to service. I wonder how many of these are still sitting in night stands across the world. Changing the hands is a tough one. I can see changing them to help bring the watch back to as close to show room shineas you can, but then I can understand wanting to keep as much of the watch original too. I will leave it up to you. Also, I am very glad you had someone to talk to before your surgery. Having someone there to help comfort you and keep your mind off of your fears is so important. I had major spine surgery last May. I unfortunatly was not allowed to have anyone with me while I waited for my surgery. With covid around here in the US, they will not allow you that comfort. I can understand why but I was a mess by the time they took me back to the surgery room. Well, I am so glad you are on the mend. I hope you continue to get good news. Can't wait for the next video.
Thank you so much for doing these videos. They help me in more ways than you know..
Dan C.
Thank you Dan. The 6105 is easy enough, just that spring in the keyless messed with me a little. We have a much different kind of health care here in the uk. Rarely would you have a private room. My ward had 4 beds which were all taken. I did wake up back in a private room though (Keith had gone home at this point) but only because I needed some higher dependency due to being returned from my operations at 9.30pm
Great story, great video!
I have ab original Willard that I picked up in 1972 while on my first time overseas, mine still runs and keeps great time, I just need to find a replacement second hand for it..
Great job, thanks for sharing. I can understand the dilemma you face regarding changing the look of the watch but personally I'd change hands and possibly re lume face. As for the case, bezel etc leave exactly as they are in my opinion
I'm chilling-easy seeing you renovate a Seiko watch, not just showcasing high-end Swiss watches (not worth your while otherwise!) Tag Heuer, Breitling, Rolex, Ulysses Nardin, Patek-Philippe, Panerai, Vacheron-Constantin, Breguet, Bremont, Jaeger Lecoultre, Richard PerreGaux and all the other top-end Swiss watches are usually all we see on channels such as yours! Whereas a couple of these watches can exceed the value of my house! I _do_ own several high-end Citizen watches though, (Promaster Sky) two Seiko 3rd gen Orange Monster, 2nd gen "Dracula" Monsters, and several other mid-range Citizens and Seikos...all bought BNIB. So I do like to see Seiko's or Citizens (Miyota-Epson Cal's) being renovated by an expert aficionado with great camera and narration skills such as yourself! I recently bought an _Iron Annie_ Solar watch, interesting caliber, also a Seiko "Fugu" Ltd Edition. Would be great to see a service on one of these! Officially Certified Swiss Chronometers are superlative and out of reach of the working man but not the affluent but there's not too many out of 7000 viewers maybe 140 (2%) of them that own an _A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Datograph Tourbillon!_
Thank you for your compliment. As a hobbyist with shallow pockets I can’t really afford big names and have more fun with the lesser brands which are more my cup of tea and working on them or restoring them is very satisfying.
I’ve been doing RUclips now for 5 years as a hobby and the biggest “name” has been Omega which I don’t really like that much to work on, but that’s another story
Sounds like you have quite the collection
@@MyRetroWatches Thanks for the response! I've about 20 watches, not that mad, like to collect the odd one here and there!.
I'm just curious, a now deceased friend who was a Navy instrumentman. When he came across corrosion in watches and other devices would use a small amount of Zippo lighter fluid to break down the corrosion befor disassembly. I've watched numerous videos where they were dealing with this and never saw it done.
Lol, I was just thinking, as you were saying you weren't going to touch this & that, "I hope he changes the crystal!"
Here’s a tip for rusty parts in a watch. Get this chemical called calcium lime and rust remover. I think it’s named clr. It’s usually used to dissolve hard water buildup from shower heads. I have used it for removing rust from paint with no damage to paint and when I get something like you just had if it doesn’t come apart easily how you were able to I soak it in that solution. The best way is to get a small glass container and fill it up with your rusty parts in and put it in the ultrasonic cleaner and the rust will be gone in about 10 minutes with 0 damage to the metal it was on.
I do remember when that Aswan dam was being built and they moved the Egyptian statues they were gargantuan, they cut them into pieces and move them to a new site. I think it was around 1967 or eight I was a young School boy at the time.
New hands m8 for me and a good bezel insert, other than that ,lovely job
Beautiful - good job !
It was stuck in hospital for 5 weeks that started my own journey, right up until the last few days I had a great big fist sized hole in my chest because I had contracted a staph infection off the operating table and I was on 2 types of IV antibiotics right until my discharge, it was not a fun time. Every person in my ward room was like me, ex-services and we all had the same tale to tell in that once upon a time we were all super fit athletic sorts but the years out we let it drift and then we became super unfit and I was told it was common for ex servicemen to have this problem. So with my laptop I was watching like anything RUclips video's and that was around about the time My Mate Vince did a vid on a Tudor or something a bit posh and he made it look so easy, I vowed on my release I would dig out my two ancient Sekonda's and fix them up. Which I did and both work perfectly many years later, it was a Seiko Vince did that brought me to your channel as you fixed it up for him where he had some problems and I have watched every one of your excellent videos since :)
At the 50 year + mark with that watch and history, new hands and refurbished dial as well as a refurbished case would be the only way I would roll. She had one career of tough knocks, retirement ought to be fun and get her admired with Ohhhhs and AHHsss . There you go! One watch lover's opinion!
I have hands. I would not entertain restoring the dial as that can go wrong very quickly and the case would need a specialist like the Lapinist on instagram. The finish is very specific.
Equally though remember it’s not my watch it’s Keith’s and it’s his memories in this watch. Every dent and scratch is of his making
Agreed I said if it were mine. Totally respect the love and care to protect Keith's memories!
I would like to have seen a rejuvenation of the lume. Give it the night time functionality. Could be a personal growth moment... Love the channel regardless.
A much as thats a nice idea, with it being not my watch and one that is now so expensive authenticity is paramount. I have only ever re-lumed one dial and that was done on film in the channel probably 3 years ago. It was not the best finish! Appreciate you like my videos so thank you for watching.
Good Job A1 thank you :)
Takk!
Nice one Mike. Love it. Had you thought about adding a new main spring? Also have you got a staking set, you could have reduced the hole in the plate where the top of the barrel pivots? How go you like your Bergeon 5500 press, worth the cost? Hands, well that’s down to the client, might have been good to do a shot with new hands on, this way everyone could see the alternative? Keep the great work up!
HI Boyd. Rare for me to put a new spring in these Seikos. Never found I needed to, they seem to always have good enough power in them. This one probably had not been wound for 30 years either to have lost any of its memory. That's my take anyway. Had the amplitude been really low after ruling out everything then i would look at the power.
I dont like the closing of a hole with a stake, feels like a bodge to me. I would much rather jewel it. I will be talking to a very good friend soon who jewels Seikos all the time to understand the tools required.
As for hands I am trying to find some. The aftermarket ones are all for NH35 type movements which I am unsure will fit .... yet.
@@MyRetroWatches thanks Mike, good stuff. I’d love to see a video how to add a jewel. I have a balance that has a broken regulator pin, have you ever fixed this issue before?
Cold crown jewels you should have come with me 3 years ago when I went to Moscow to collect a vintage Cossack motorcycle I started riding at -20 deg C got back to zero about the time I got into western germany now that was cold , but I wanted that motorcycle
Thanks for another awesome video. As you predicted, I have to agree that the original hands should be kept. Btw, I am more vintage than both you and the watch. Take care.
what a beautiful watch. is it just dirt or is one of the spokes of the escape wheel cracked at 49:19?
I am looking into this.
I think if it was mine, I would have to decide which way I was going to use it in the future.
If I wanted to keep it as a keepsake or investment, it may be best to keep the original hands for the providence and history.
If I was going to keep it to wear on a regular basis I would probably want to put some new hands on it so I could see the lume and it would be dressed back up just a bit.
My take exactly. For Keith it’s a keepsake to remind him of his days in the navy.
Love your name !
what a wonderful 70 minutes
Pleased you enjoyed it.
great story, yeah i would have hand change
I'd put new hands on, other then that great restoration and safe. The ecape 49:21-49:23 on the left(spoke) looks like it may have a crack in it, and if thats the case wouldn't that throw the balance off.
A few have said this but I did not notice in the inspection. I will remove it again to rule it out before I give the watch back to Keith.
Hmm well we all will have different thoughts - but poisonally I would replace those hands if decent quality repros are available. My 6309-7040 'Turtle' bought in Suva Fiji back in '78 has similar case and bezel knocks from diving & snorkelling use that I like as genuine patina.
My local NZ watchmakers 'PILBROWS' did a full service including replacing the worn barrel bush with a jewel .. much appreciated. - Likely I might wear it more if the face & hand lume was re-done?? but that might spoil the 45 y.o "originality" eh. Cheers and Best Wishes.
When its your watch and you want to enjoy it replacing or renewing is your decision. I am on the camp of lume is a serviceable component. Its there to serve a purpose and is a function of the watch. To leave it for the purists is fine but renewed and done well by a professional or a passionate hobbyist (I know a guy who is superb at this kind of work) can only lift the watch. If its then worn as a result well thats the purpose of a watch!
Makes sense to me that possibly the pressure would’ve caused the oil to become even more dense?
I don’t think so really. Watch is under pressure for a long time like weeks. When they would go down in the dive bell and acclimatise they would pull out the crown of the watch. Only when they entered the water from the bell is the Watch needing to be watertight. At this point the watch is not fighting the pressure as it’s been balanced. Hopefully that makes sense
I have a Omega Dynamic that is running about 2min fast per day, I put it in for a service and I don’t think they even opened the back any chance you could take a look at it?
Sorry I don’t take on work anymore. Plus I am no fan of Omega as parts are crazy price.
Watch running fast is most likely a hairspring coil catching or stuck.
If it’s been for a service I’d take it back!
Maybe Keith would let you service his Rolex on the channel?
Does That Smith's clock machine pictured have anything to do with Smith's watches?
I think so yes.
Those walking liberty pendants are SO nice! And the TRUMP head! MAGA LOL!
Gosh, the winding weight looks quite lightweight!
Does the job
Hi, what is the plastic paper you used while prying open the bezel? Thanks
@@vincentzhu1970 just a plastic bag
@@MyRetroWatches cheers 👍
Looks like the new wheel had took the plating off
Seiko vintage.....!!!😈
i would change the hands
New hands
And worth a few quid 👌👍
Great watch, great story, great video. Thanks for the content, what a gem.
This is a great story!
I like to think that all the scuffs and scrapes, dings and gouges on my watches were from hard use action while in my military service (25 yrs), on the field of battle during the war on terror, some are. But in reality most of the scrapes and dings were from washing my hands in the kitchen sink, getting in and out of the shower, fixing the lawn mower/doing lawn maintenance, or opening the door to my refrigerator. 😂
Brilliant! for me its door handles. I catch my watches on those all the time. As least with this Seiko we know its seen some action underwater which just adds to the provenance. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed this video.
@@MyRetroWatches Absolutely. Its nice to know I'm not the only klutz around these parts. Door handles, YES!
Don’t forget those dings from door frames…
@@robertwhitcomb6105 Haha. Yes! My wife always makes fun of me because I bump into, scrape against, step on, or kick away things in my walking path.
I my answer is, "Hey, men take up space. I'm a man."
Amazing story. People underestimate the benefit of just chatting with people in the hospital with you. They are terrified or hopeless and yet a little chat can go a long way to make them go through their day.
So true. Keith made my 5 hours of complete dread and fear so much less.
I've only been hospitalised once and had a rough first night in the ward. The next morning some old lady opposite me struck up a conversation. She was a paraplegic, yet she was also the primary carer for her husband! Anyway, she mentioned Stoke Mandeville hospital and that triggered my memory, as it was highly involved with Jimmy Saville. For those outside the UK, one of the most twisted and insane stories out there.
Her life, her struggles, her worries and then her friendship and love for Jimmy. Wild conversations.
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Enjoy the coffee on me Mike!
00p8pp⁰
Pfaff $ffffffff$$ffffff$courtesy
Change the hands.
Have a yard of ale on me.
I purchased my Seiko Divers watch in May 1971 while a patient in the Camp Zama military hospital recovering from wounds received in action in Vietnam. I paid $57 US dollars for it in the Camp Zama PX. I was an avid scuba diver and my watch had over 2000 hrs under water in it's career. I too upgraded to a Rolex, not a Submariner, but a GMT Master. The Seiko while still a fully functional watch was relegated to the safe and the GMT Master became my daily watch. One day in 2015 just out of curiosity I took the Seiko out and wound it up and wore it for the day. After several days of wearing it I found it was gaining time. Seems it was time to get it serviced. It was the first service it ever received. Cleaning, lube and proper adjustment and reseal cost $158 US. The repair man told me what an iconic watch this model Seiko was. He mentioned the fact about it being Martin Sheens watch in the Apocalypse Now movie but he called it a "Turtle", never heard it called a "Willard" because that was Sheens name in the movie. He explained that there was a huge collectors interest in these watches and considering that this was a one owner watch would probably command a premium. I listed the watch on eBay with a starting price of $450. I got 17 private emails in the first hour. I ended up cutting a deal with a bloke from England for $575 US, cutting eBay completely out of the deal. I guess it was a good investment and hope it serves it next owner as well as it did me. 👍
Good deal at that price! They are bringing twice that or more lately
How did it survive all 2,000 hours of diving given the reputation for the Seiko lock crown to fail
@@OscarOSullivan think you are confusing the Seiko and the Rolex. My Seiko didn't have a locking crown, protected yes, locking no.
Hold my beer just going to watch Mike restore this Willard. Keep well from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Thank you Bruce.
Made me shed a tear. Didn't expect such a wholesome story on a watch restoration video. Hope you're recovering well
I’m doing fine. 90% back to normal
Yea me too. Real nice story
Hello Mike,
I’m new to your channel having seen a dozen or so videos in the past month. I didn’t know of your bout with cancer. I hope all is well. The best part of this story is how heart warming the kindness of some people is. That a few fellows in a hospital room can strike up a conversation and distract from the fear and discomfort you were facing. The watch is but a reminder, a very interesting one in itself at that. Thanks for sharing.
The comradery between men! Keith was a proper gentleman that day and something I will never forget. As for the cancer well yes a shocker at only 50 but I seem to be doing okay. I did make a video on it recently on the channel, mainly to make men aware of this disease and what to look out for.
Also with my subscribers help raised a whopping £2200 for Prostate Cancer UK
A lovely story! It's always nice to see a tool watch that's been used for it's intended purpose.
Licensed paramedic, guitarist and watch enthusiast here. The comments you made on this video struck a chord with me. I will indeed buy you a coffee. Be well.
I've found that when you have varied interests and skill sets, it crosses over well into other interests and can help you solve a problem in says that is typically outside of that wheelhouse.
Loved watching the restoration and what a great story. Its great that you show the good, the bad and the ugly of the service process as makes it more human. I would be terrified to go anywhere near a watch innards! Sent you some pictures on IG of when my inherited Willard was being serviced (also saw a decent amount of diving action).
Thank you. Lovely watch you have there sir! (still to get on first name terms with you!) I will always show any mistakes or problems. I am a hobbyist and want to convey that over in the videos. Its easy by virtue of editing to make yourself look all professional but I like to inspire and show it does not have to be all polished to get a good result. Some people think this is a magic art but really its not . I believe you can do it and with your passion and knowledge for watches its honestly an itch you will scratch one day 100%
What a lovely watch and story. Godspeed to you and Keith.
Great video!! Congrats on getting your operation done! Makes all the difference to have somone there to even chat watches!!
Had the same hand (and face) problem,on my 6139. I changed them. Still got the old parts. Treated myself to the watch in 1973ish. It's wearing better than me😁
I have read that there were 3 watch brands that were most popular for guys to wear in Vietnam. Rolex , Glycine , Seiko. The 6105 just keeps going up in value.