A humble watch - some questions

[daepp]

This is my watch:



It is a humble watch. It is extremely reliable, accurate and 15 years old. It was a gift from my wife on our tenth anniversary, and I can find no reason to replace it. It has no battery and never needs winding. I believe movement charges a capacitor.

However - I can no longer see the date without glasses. I have seen Rolexes that have some kind of ground glass area over the date so it is magnified. Has anyone ever seen an aftermarket solution to such a problem? Are there replacement bezels?

And - do you clean or service a 15 year old, $300 Seiko? Or would I just be throwing money away? Can it be polished?

FWIW - I was very impressed with my wife as she found a watch that appealed to the mechanic in me - you can see the "works" from the back:



Any info would be appreciated.

[stuartj]

Yes, you can get an aftermarket "fisheye", but Ive no idea where or how it might be affixed without distorting. Google will know.

No I wouldnt bother with service until it actually stops-although you may want it cosmetically done over. A new glass can do wonders.

Seiko are actually an amazing manufacturer- they will probably have parts (ie bezel).

[jyl]

Adding a cyclops / date magnifier on a new watch?

You can add a magnifier to the crystal.

The outside can be polished, carefully, but make sure it isn't plated, and don't get the polishing compound everywhere. I'd use jeweler's rouge and a soft cloth. Don't do too much, the patina is part of the watch.

If it keeps time well, I think no need to service the movement.

The Seiko and Citizen Forum is where all knowledge about vintage Seikos resides. They will want clearer photos, though.

http://www.thewatchsite.com

[sc_rufctr]

It can be polished although you could also get it re-plated gold which would look better IMO.

I haven't seen a stick on option for the date issues but a good watch smith may be able to replace the glass with one with a magnifying lens over the date.
The problem will be getting the right size. Hopefully there is something available off the shelf. Getting one custom cut would be expensive.

And yes it would benefit from a cleaning at the same time but as they get older these electronic/mechanical watches can be easily damaged when cleaning.

Do you know a good watch smith?

One of the members here is a jeweler.

[azasadny]

I've seen talented jewelers make watches that look far worse than yours look better than new. It is a nice watch and you can keep it as is or get it redone, either way it's from your wife, so it's important! At least get it cleaned...it will last longer.

[daepp]

This is encouraging. I know a couple of good jewelers but no watchsmiths. Perhaps they can give me a referral. Thanks for all the good info - and sorry for the crappy photos.