Nothing shocks me. I'm a scientist.

Introduction

This week things seem to have settled down a bit, and it’s neither crazy busy, nor deathly dull - I guess this is what you might think of as an average week when it comes to watches to highlight on Yahoo Japan.

But just because it’s average in quantity, it doesn’t mean it’s average in interest.

The good guys kick off with a remarkable 56GS, the likes of which I have never seen before, whilst the bad guys section has one of the most bizarre examples of the first Grand Seiko that I’ve ever seen people bidding (strongly!) on.

Oh, and just to say that I really do appreciate the discussion that these newsletters are starting to generate - please don’t hesitate to chip in with your thoughts in the comments below. Whether it’s to point out any errors I may have made (I’m only human afterall!), your personal thoughts and observations on the watches featured, or if there are other listings that you want to highlight that you felt should have made the newsletter, all feedback is welcomed and very much encouraged.

So without further delay, take it away Indy…

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Indiana Jones

Grand Seiko 5646-7010

Something very strange has happened to the blue dial on this 5646-7010. Whether you like it or not will of course be completely subjective.

Let’s examine a little closer -

- and compare it to how they usually look -

Whilst you have to be careful with blue dialed examples of the 564x-7010 (there are plenty of redials out there), there is no doubt in my mind that this listing features a watch with a completely legitimate dial that - for some reason or other - appears to have developed a textured finish over the years.

I’ve never seen one with a dial like this before, and personally think it looks absolutely fabulous.

Obviously with a listing such as this one it is all about the dial, but the case looks to be in pretty good condition, with just a slightly abused caseback medallion to point out.

The watch also comes with its original inner box, which we learned from last week’s feature should add around 12-15,000 Yen to the closing price.

No mention is made in the listing as to the functioning of the watch, so as usual assume the worst and that the day/date quickset mechanism will be broken and will need to be addressed at a service once you receive the watch.

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Grand Seiko 4420-9000 late dial

It’s really only after having been publishing these newsletters that I’ve come to appreciate just how many examples of the late dial 4420-9000 there are out there. The act of not just looking through the weekly auctions for myself, but actually documenting “interesting” watches for others, serves as very good aide memoire.

This one does have a few minor spots on the dial, but overall it’s certainly one of the nicer ones to turn up recently, and the case in particular looks to be very sharp.

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Grand Seiko 5641-7000

The 564x-7000 series of watches are possibly the least sought after of all vintage Grand Seiko references, but just because they’re not highly desired by collectors, it doesn’t mean they should get a pass when a good one turns up - especially when it’s the time only 5641 (so no worrying about a broken quick-set mechanism with this one!).

This particular example is worth a mention because of its very clean dial - just a few minor issues near the center - and what looks to be an unpolished case that retains its original brushing, and very sharp lines -

Do check the final image in the listing for a detailed shot showing some dings on one of the lugs.

If the watch does tickle your fancy, you’ll be in a pretty small group of interested collectors, so should be able to pick it up for a good price.

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XQB011 bracelet for 564x-7010

For anyone looking for the first bracelet for their 564x-7010, here’s a good looking one. This is the rarer of the two bracelets that were used on the references, and I can’t help thinking that it was phased out after just one year for the XQB070 because it can be a bit of a hair puller!

The seller lists the bracelet as being 15cm long, which means it should be good for wrist sizes up to around 18cm or so.

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Inner and outer boxes for a 56GS

If you missed out on all the boxes last week, here’s another opportunity to pick up something to keep your 56GS in (although note that this is not the correct box if your 56GS originally came on a bracelet).

Last week’s newsletter featured three of these, which ended up selling in the 17-20,000 Yen range. Frankly I think that’s extremely good value with the outer box included, and even though the outer box on this one is not as in as good condition, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it end up at a similar level.

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Inner and outer boxes for a 56GS

And here’s another one. Cleaner outer box this time, so should do a little better.

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Grand Seiko 4520-8000 cap gold

As is obvious from the photos, the case on this one is very tarnished indeed.

But what is also very obvious from the photos, is that it’s almost certainly never been polished.

Whether or not the case would be restored to its original glory with careful and judicious use of some regular jewelry cleaner (or maybe even just an ultrasonic bath in the right solution) remains to be seen. But I rather suspect someone is going to take a punt on it!

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It’s not a vintage Grand Seiko, but I like it

Grand Seiko SBGS005

By far the cheapest way to acquire a platinum cased Grand Seiko, the SBGS005 is an absolutely exquisite watch, and made the list of my top ten favourite modern Grand Seikos that I drew up a couple of years ago.

For some reason lost to history, following the relaunch of Grand Seiko in 1988 with the first four references in the SBGS series that established the modern (pre-rebrand) “Seiko Grand Seiko” dial layout, in 1992 Grand Seiko released this reference, with the Grand Seiko gothic font text at the top of the dial, and the GS logo at the bottom.

Here’s a shot of the first four references for comparison, photographed alongside their catalogue images -

Excluding recreations of the vintage pieces, there was just one other reference that featured the brand name in full at the top of the dial, prior to the 2017 rebrand.

The watch featured in the auction retains its original clasp, which is important with these, but the case does show signs of wear.

It’s pretty rare for one of these to turn up on an open auction. Due to its case material, they more often sell through the Japanese pawn shops that you will find listing on Rakuten, or on Yahoo Japan for a fixed price. There are currently two other examples listed on Rakuten, one for 395,780 Yen (it is also on Yahoo), and the second for 499,000 Yen.

Here’s a photo of mine so you can get a better idea as to just how great this reference looks -

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Mola Ram

The first Grand Seiko with raised logo dial

As write this week’s newsletter, this watch currently has more bids than any other listing in the Grand Seiko category on Yahoo Japan, with bidding now standing at 236,501 Yen.

Quite why there should be so much interest in this one, and why the bidding would be so high already, I have absolutely no idea whatsoever, because it’s obvious to anyone taking even the most cursory of glances at the dial where the problem is.

Just bizarre.

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Grand Seiko 43999 SD dial

Given the low resolution images provided, it won’t be obvious to everyone that the dial on this most coveted 57GS variant has been faked, but reset assured that it has.

The more clearly visible red flag is of course the caseback serial number which, starting with 4D, indicates the watch was manufactured in December 1964, almost a year too late to be a genuine SD dial.

Hopefully even those who miss those “tells” will be put off by the overall poor condition of the case, and not be suckered into bidding for a watch that has been deliberately misrepresented.

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Grand Seiko 43999 SD dial

Very possibly the original source for the offending listing immediately above this one, our regular contributor makes a return this week with more of his usual delectations and delights.

Going forward I’ve decided not to clog up the newsletter detailing all his listings - I’ll just list one example each time he makes an appearance, with the advice to check the name of the account selling the watch, and make a mental note to never purchase anything from him.

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Inner box for the 57GS

Seems a little odd to have a box in the bad guys section, but the reason should be obvious - that’s an inner tray from the much later 61GS and 56GS boxes, not the original for the 57GS (which should be black, and of a totally different construction).

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Grand Seiko 5646-7005

Nothing “dodgy” about the listing - everything here is completely legitimate, and the seller even confirms that the quickset day/date mechanism is working.

The problem is the case, which - as is quite common on these - has been completely flat polished, taking away the wonderful original brushed finish.

Some will no doubt find it attractive, but personally I much prefer these in their original condition.

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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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