If I let you know where I'm going, then I won't be on holiday

Introduction

The poll in last week’s newsletter on whether or not I should mix up the introduction section a bit is sat on exactly 50:50 with just a couple of hours to go, so I guess I have the casting vote!

For those collectors who have recently joined this little community of ours, I would encourage you to check out previous Friday newsletters, which are indexed by which references appear in them, in the following article -

I’m a little behind in updating that article with the most recent newsletters, but will bring it up to date over the weekend.

As for the current auctions, it’s a relatively quiet week this week, with just four listings to recommend. However, it’s certainly case of “quality over quantity” - I didn’t expect to see an even better example of the 6156-8040 turn up so soon after I extolled the virtues of that gorgeous one in early May. Plus, we have a box and papers example of one of my favourite references.

On the bad guys side, there is an all too depressingly familiar face, but also some intriguing oddities that we can learn lessons from.

Remarkably, last week I was able to win two of the auctions that were featured in the good guys section - the yellow patinated dialed 56GS, and the rather intriguing 61GS with the Toyota Thailand commemoration engraved on the caseback. Thank you for not pushing me too hard! I rather suspect I won’t be so lucky this week with that 6156-8040, but we will see…

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Ethan Hunt

Grand Seiko 6156-8040

I nearly missed this week’s lead watch as it’s not actually listed in the Grand Seiko auction category, but in the parent Seiko category. Plenty of people did catch it though, because 78 of them have registered to monitor the auction, which is scheduled to close shortly after 9pm Japan time tonight.

It’s very surprising to see another pretty much mint example of this reference so soon after the last stunning one that closed for around 360,000 Yen back in early May. If anything, this one is even better, as that earlier example had the slightest of dings on the bottom of the case, and the one seen here comes with its correct price ticket (although of course the box is at least 15 years younger than the watch!).

As I said last time around - see you at the finish line for this one!

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Grand Seiko 43999 SD dial

For an SD dialed 43999 to make the good guys section of the newsletter, it needs to tick a number of boxes.

Firstly, a (genuine!) clean dial without any significant blemishes; next, a case that hasn’t been overpolished (it’s pretty much unrealistic to expect one of these to turn up that hasn’t at least had some gentle polishing over the course of its 60 year life); a caseback serial number indicating production between August 1963 and January 1964; a 430 movement whose serial number ideally starts with 30 (although 40 is also OK for watches with caseback serials indicating production in January 1964) and last but not least - the correct coarse knurled crown.

This example ticks all those boxes except the movement serial number one (there are no movement photos provided in the listing), but given the overall “honesty” of the presented watch, I would be extremely surprised to discover that there was a discontinuity there.

If you’re going to be bidding on this one, do check out the images carefully - clearly the watch needs a new crystal (easy to come by), and a cursory glance would suggest that there are no significant issues with the dial, rather, any perceived issues are actually scratches on the crystal. But you’ll need to take some time to examine the images closely to be sure. Note the scratching on the bottom right lug as well.

A caseback serial indicating production in August 1963 means this comes from the very first month of production, making about as desirable as you could get for an SD dialed 43999.

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Grand Seiko 4522-8010

As most readers will be aware, this is a reference that I believe is very undervalued in the marketplace, and it’s rare to find one with box and papers.

It should be highlighted however that the certificate is generic, and does not have any movement or serial number on it to tie it to the specific watch, so it wouldn’t take too much to put this together.

I have actually had a dead stock (caseback sticker fully intact) full set of the time-only 4520-8010 in the past, and it too had just this generic certificate (along with a Wako warranty with the serial number), so don’t doubt for one moment that what is presented here is correct.

Importantly, the watch comes with its original 18K buckle, but condition-wise it is worth highlighting that the case edges on this example have softened a little, although to be fair, that’s pretty much unavoidable with a 50+ year old gold cased watch!

As a reference point, here’s what a mint one looks like -

- and here is the one in the auction…

Someone asked the seller if they would be willing to sell the watch immediately for 600,000 Yen, but the seller refused. It will be interesting to see if this one actually does go that high.

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Grand Seiko 4522-7000

This is without question the deepest patina I’ve ever seen develop on one of these. To think that dial started out its life looking like this -

It’s certainly a striking look, and one that no doubt will divide opinion. Personally, I love it, and if it stays at no bids, I will definitely try to nab it for the minimum 60,000 Yen when the auction closes tomorrow evening!

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Sean Ambrose

The first Grand Seiko with raised logo dial

This is the exact same watch (from of course the exact same seller) that was featured in last week’s newsletter. That earlier auction was cancelled after 16 bidders had got the price up to 250,000 Yen.

Here it is again, with bidding already up to 174,000 Yen and with two days still to go.

Do check last week’s newsletter for a close-up of the “Chronometer” print, and how it should look. Despite this being the most recent style of reprint, it’s an easy one to spot.

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Grand Seiko 6146-8010 “Arabesque”

Just in case anyone isn’t put off enough by the state of the dial on this one (whilst personally I have nothing against patina, this one is rather too uneven for my taste) and is considering it a good opportunity to pick up an “Arabesque” for a song, I suggest you walk away, because somehow that 6146-8010 dial has ended up paired with a 6156-8010 case and movement.

Having said that, the case and crystal of the 6156-8010 look to be in very good condition, so if you have one of those with a nice dial and a beat-up case and crystal, maybe this listing would make sense for you after all!

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Grand Seiko 5646-7030

With its sand-textured dial, the 5646-7030 is always a popular little piece, and the best examples tend to do pretty well at auction. Some might be tempted by the sight of one in its box (despite the lining to the inner lid being upside down here!), and overlook the fact that the case on this one has been ruined by polishing - something that is evident even in the limited number of low resolution photos provided.

The top surface of the case flanks should be brushed, as seen in this example that sold recently -

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The first Grand Seiko with carved logo dial

Whilst the seller rightly points out that the caseback is from a different watch, he seems to have not noticed that in fact it’s the entire case that is!

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Grand Seiko 6156-8000 Special

Quite apart from the fact that this reference never came with a faceted crystal, there is something very odd about the case.

The photos are not exactly of high quality, but if we zoom in a little…

.. and compare and contrast with a legitimate example, the issue becomes obvious (concentrate on the lugs).

And is the dial a little suspect too? Such poor images, but it just doesn’t feel right.

Let’s take a closer look -

Now many might think there’s not enough to go on there - the photo is simply too low resolution and quality to come to a conclusion. But we don’t need to be able to see the font clearly in order to know that the dial is “redone”.

Take a look at a legitimate example -

You don’t need to be able to read the text on the dial of the one at auction in order to see that the relative positioning of the dial code print to the minute markers is not correct.

Someone’s fallen for it though, because it already has attracted a bid at the minimum price of 90,000 Yen. Fortunately no readers of this newsletter will be tempted to outbid that poor soul!

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Redone coloured dial summary

… I close with the usual reminder to steer clear of any vintage Grand Seikos with coloured dials similar to the above. This is not a comprehensive photo - there are many references that get this “treatment” so be careful out there!

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