Are all coarse ones the plated brass ? Maybe I’m imagining it but they made steel coarse later right ? Eg 44gs ? There’s a 43999 sd with an original brown coloured brass crown, I’d rather it looked normal and steel colored so wondering whether to wait to find one but if it doesn’t exist (or wouldn’t be original if it was ) then I’d reconsider
What do you mean by you liking the well worn crown on the 43999? I heard many 43999 crowns were replaced with 5722 ones, is worn down a positive sign that it’s an original 43999 crown or something?
The original crowns were coarse knurled and plated brass (or is it bronze? I can never remember!). Much softer than stainless steel, so easier to manufacture, but they don’t last as long. Story goes that in the early 1960’s Seiko simply didn’t have the ability to create crowns from steel. The correct coarse knurled crowns are easy to differentiate from the later fine knurled ones. I just love the way that they wear down to the brass over many many years and many many windings!
The 5646-7010, on one of the pictures that shows the inside backcase with watchmaker signs there seems to be one jewel and one jewel holder lying there? Could this be an issue?
Good spot Daniel! As with all Yahoo auctions, unless the seller specifically states that the watch has been recently serviced and everything is running well, assume that the watch will require a service when you receive it. It’s just one of those risks you have to take when buying from an auction, and that you should factor into how much you are willing to bid for the lot.
Sometimes it is good to click on the link to view the item on the original yahoo auction page and translate the descriptions there as there might be some other information not reflected in fromjapan. It may also be good to see the past newsletters to understand the typical sold price to have some idea what is the rough expected price.
Are all coarse ones the plated brass ? Maybe I’m imagining it but they made steel coarse later right ? Eg 44gs ? There’s a 43999 sd with an original brown coloured brass crown, I’d rather it looked normal and steel colored so wondering whether to wait to find one but if it doesn’t exist (or wouldn’t be original if it was ) then I’d reconsider
What do you mean by you liking the well worn crown on the 43999? I heard many 43999 crowns were replaced with 5722 ones, is worn down a positive sign that it’s an original 43999 crown or something?
The original crowns were coarse knurled and plated brass (or is it bronze? I can never remember!). Much softer than stainless steel, so easier to manufacture, but they don’t last as long. Story goes that in the early 1960’s Seiko simply didn’t have the ability to create crowns from steel. The correct coarse knurled crowns are easy to differentiate from the later fine knurled ones. I just love the way that they wear down to the brass over many many years and many many windings!
The 5646-7010, on one of the pictures that shows the inside backcase with watchmaker signs there seems to be one jewel and one jewel holder lying there? Could this be an issue?
Good spot Daniel! As with all Yahoo auctions, unless the seller specifically states that the watch has been recently serviced and everything is running well, assume that the watch will require a service when you receive it. It’s just one of those risks you have to take when buying from an auction, and that you should factor into how much you are willing to bid for the lot.
I noticed it after I won the bid 😅. Will see when it arrives. 👍
Hi Daniel
I just joined this Substack & never place a bid on fromJapan. Do you have any tips & tricks to successfully winning a bid ?
Thank you
Sometimes it is good to click on the link to view the item on the original yahoo auction page and translate the descriptions there as there might be some other information not reflected in fromjapan. It may also be good to see the past newsletters to understand the typical sold price to have some idea what is the rough expected price.
Thanks I don`t use or have VPN to have access to Yahoo auction, but will consider it.👍 I have been using zenmarket as a proxy.
Thank you 🙏
I`m afraid I don`t have any tips & tricks, wish I had😅. You have to set a limit for your bidding and not get carried away.
Thanks Daniel 🙏