cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
20954
Grand Seiko SBGX039 Magnetic Resistant Watch: Open for Inspection
Perhaps on this fine spring day you would like to see inside a Grand Seiko?
This is an SBGX039 high-accuracy 9F61A quartz watch with a tricky dial, stainless steel 38.5 mm case and "milgauss" magnetic shielding. I bought it in August 2005.
Early this morning the watch told me via 2-second jumps that it needed a battery change soon.
I looked in my photo archives and found the last swap was 26 months ago, so it's about time.
First I removed the bracelet so it wouldn't block access to the movement, and put the bracelet parts into the ultrasonic cleaner.
Then I opened the back and removed the magnetic shield inside the case.
Next removed the battery and replaced it with a new one. It's very easy on this watch which has a beautifully-decorated movement.
I replaced the cover, using Rodico (a cleaning putty) to remove all fingerprints and dirt from the case, the covers and the spring spacer.
Then I flipped over the watch to make sure it was running and set it to the correct time.
The bracelet looks bad here but after its cleaning, it is now sparkling. You can see the free-floating link pin with two retaining screws.
This is an unusual, but easy-to-manage retention system, unless you drop a screw. No pressing or hammering required.
The watch is back together and clean, and running. The challenge now is to get the bracelet back on without any scratches.
NOTE: It did not take all morning to swap the battery; there were lots of phone calls, Internet surfing and chores that interrupted my work.
The watch is back together and clean, and running. The challenge now is to get the bracelet back on without any scratches.
Don't you hate those watch ads which say "98% condition except for scratching on the lugs from strap changes?"
I hunted around for my expensive and rarely-used Bergeon 6825 tool, which clamps the spring bars in a retracted position so you can slip the bracelet back in between the case lugs.
I hunted around for my expensive and rarely-used Bergeon 6825 tool, which clamps the spring bars in a retracted position so you can slip the bracelet back in between the case lugs.
It was impossible to take a photo while reinserting the bracelet, so you will have to trust me that it works and is a lot less infuriating than trying to pry the spring bar back in with a screwdriver or strap tool.
Then I put the pin and screws back in and polished up the bracelet a bit more with a rouge cloth.
A last confirmation of the time, and it's finished. Here's an indoor shot,
and an outside photo. Although nominally the hands all look the same, with close inspection you can see the main hands and markers have a subtly different reflectivity compared to the second hand.
Then I put the pin and screws back in and polished up the bracelet a bit more with a rouge cloth.
A last confirmation of the time, and it's finished. Here's an indoor shot,
and an outside photo. Although nominally the hands all look the same, with close inspection you can see the main hands and markers have a subtly different reflectivity compared to the second hand.
NOTE: It did not take all morning to swap the battery; there were lots of phone calls, Internet surfing and chores that interrupted my work.
Cazalea
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2016-05-04 12:00:07
Grand Seiko SBGX039 Magnetic Resistant Watch: Open for Inspection
Perhaps on this fine spring day you would like to see inside a Grand Seiko? This is an SBGX039 high-accuracy 9F61A quartz watch with a tricky dial, stainless steel 38.5 mm case and "milgauss" magnetic shielding. I bought it in August 2005. Early this morn...
Pure Seiko!
Even though few owners would want to see the inside of a Quartz watch, it is nicely decorated. And anti-magnetic, which is much harder with Quartz. Love them for it In any case, thanks for the battery swap report, and for bringing the watch closer to us t...
I'm a proponent of well finished metallic movements with quartz escapements
Thanks for the show and tell. It is notable that this Seiko movement is mainly solid metal with functional decoration. Other high end brands like Chopard and Piaget even apply traditional decoration like circles and stripes just like their mechanical move...
Thanks for posting.
It's a lot of fun to see these hands-on posts. What type of case back opener do you use?
I didn't know that Bergeon tool exists!
Looks like I'll need to look for one too. But I digress. Honestly, even with their quartz movement it's pretty enough to almost warrant a display caseback..GS are some of my favourite stealth high end watches and I hope to end up with a spring drive somed...