[DarthVedder]

Hi guys,

Ireally want to buy a Seiko 6138 watch, but buying vintage scares me a bit. There are several 6138s currently on eBay, ranging from around $200 up toa gorgeous blue one priced above $1K. Many have repainted hands andafter-market dials. How good are those? Anyone has any experiencewith these?

BTW,regarding maintenance, being vintage watches, I'm pretty sure that those willneed some fixes. Do you think that spare parts for that movement arecommon enough or are they a problem to find? Other issues that I should take into account?

Thanks.

 

[Nokie]

You will get better responses if you re-post this in either the "Seiko/Citizen" or "Pocket watch and Vintage" section of this forum.

Your question is pretty specific so you might get more detailed answers in one or both of those forums.

 

[Sistema1927]

I doubt that there is anything wrong with a 6138 that Spencer Klein of Klein Vintage Watch repair can't fix, and at a reasonable cost.

Here is a video of what he found in my 6139 earlier this week:

 

[IGotId]

Timely thread Darth, I actually was also looking at 6139s. From what I read it's getting very difficult to source replacement parts as well. It also looks like substantial research will be needed to make sure you don't get ripped off. From a thread I recently posted on the Seiko forum:

https://www.watchuseek.com/f21/seiko-chronograph-recommendations-please-1000231.html#post7537744

 

[DarthVedder]

Thank you. I'm very scared of getting a lemon and don't want to spend hundreds just to fix a watch of this kind. That kind of money would be better spent on a new watch.

 

[TimeWizard]

Here's everything you need to know:

The Seiko 6138A: a bridge too far? | Adventures in Amateur Watch Fettling

IN-DEPTH: Your Vintage Seiko Chronograph Buying Guide

 

[complicated_]

Hi guys,

Ireally want to buy a Seiko 6138 watch, but buying vintage scares me a bit. There are several 6138s currently on eBay, ranging from around $200 up toa gorgeous blue one priced above $1K. Many have repainted hands andafter-market dials. How good are those? Anyone has any experiencewith these?

BTW,regarding maintenance, being vintage watches, I'm pretty sure that those willneed some fixes. Do you think that spare parts for that movement arecommon enough or are they a problem to find? Other issues that I should take into account?

Thanks.

I tend to stay away from the aftermarket dial and hands ones as I feel the dial is the "soul" of the watch. Be careful of the ones coming out of the phillipines and if you buy one for around $200, most likely you will have to spend $400 to get it running right. Feel free to PM me ones you are considering and I can offer you some advice. Regarding parts, I have been collecting 6138 parts for years. Check out the 6138 build thread in my signature.

cheers, Mike