How about a watch that I waesnt looking for, but somehow fell into my hands?

Dec 17, 2014,03:08 AM
 

Earlier on in my watch collecting hobby, I gradually gotten to know about the existence of the 4S family of movements, mainly due to Don's excellent review of 1 particular 4s watch. His excellent review can still be seen here.


The watch in question is the SARN001 with the rarely seen 4S36 movement with multiple complications including, power reserve, GMT hand, retrograde day and small date. It was also adjusted to +15/-10 sec/day.









Like the mechanical Grand Seikos, Credors, Marine Master, this particular model was also hand assembled in Shizukuishi Studio.



It was the pinnacle of the development of the 4S family, and incredibly expensive when it was first introduced under the Mechanical range. 

Needless to say, it was also discontinued when I became aware of its existence. Secondhand models, if ever seen, was also incredibly expensive, costing between USD 1500 and USD 2000.

I had never actively looked for it due to its scarcity and cost and never mentioned it to anyone either. Surprise surprise, one fine day, a fellow collector asked if I was interested in this watch, knowing that I was interested in 4s watches.

I said I was, we negotiated on the price, and a reasonably fine copy came into my possession.

Talk about serendipity!

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Watches FOUND after a long search

 
 By: cazalea : November 10th, 2014-08:48
We have had some discussion on this forum about searching for rare and desireable Seikos. I think it would be appropriate to give encouragement to the seekers. Could those of us who HAVE FOUND the watches we were looking for share a bit about the process?...  

Very interesting story...

 
 By: watercolors : November 10th, 2014-09:02
and pretty handsome watch. They did superb job restoring the dial. Your Seiko looks like new! Regards Edward

well worth your time...

 
 By: 2ndlife8201 : November 10th, 2014-09:16
in hunting one down. the thrill is always in the hunt...but finally having it on your wrist is another story. :)

Such a great read, and so true.

 
 By: MichaelC : November 11th, 2014-12:10
"The thrill of the hunt"... we all know it. And to come across samples that are so close but not just right. Makes it so rewarding when you find what you are chasing. I would say this one was more than worth the emotional (and financial) investments!

That's right! Don't give up!

 
 By: KIH : November 12th, 2014-06:35
My preciouses :-) They both happened to be Credor, but each has own story.... Little known, maybe the only Chronometer from Credor. LE of 500 were YG, white dial. This another LE of 20 for certain retailer is my precious :-) Especially with B&P& C...  

Watches FOUND after a long search Part 2

 
 By: cazalea : November 12th, 2014-16:53
Here's another story in the Watches FOUND after a long search (Don't give up!) saga. I heard about a special Seiko Chronograph that was issued at the 40th anniversary (2004) of Seiko's first Chrono. As it turned out, it was a Kinetic Sportura variant, usi...  

finally found!

 
 By: jrc693 : November 21st, 2014-16:26
Though i didn't spend years searching for this watch (luckly!), I have spent almost every day chasing it after seeing it in Cazalea's small seiko thread. I don't know why i love it so much but I think the design, the shape and size are just so perfect or ...  

Send it to me and I'll fix it :-)

 
 By: cazalea : November 21st, 2014-17:59
what a happy circumstance that you found it. I knew I couldn't have the only one in the whole universe! Here's how it looks inside: New razor blade only, please. Insert and tilt or twist slightly. VoilĂ  Cheers! Cazalea ...  

Already checked it out

 
 By: jrc693 : November 21st, 2014-23:02
I've already taken the back off (using a tool) and then took off the balance spring cuz I thought it could be stuck or maybe tangled but it's still going way too fast :/

Watches FOUND after a long search, Part 3

 
 By: cazalea : November 26th, 2014-17:34
This story of a FOUND watch took me awhile to discover - my failing memory was jogged by the appearance of some watch photos in an old email. Here's what I found - photos of a manual wind Credor Spring Drive from 1999's edition of 200 or so. These were se...  

How about a watch that I waesnt looking for, but somehow fell into my hands?

 
 By: czq : December 17th, 2014-03:08
Earlier on in my watch collecting hobby, I gradually gotten to know about the existence of the 4S family of movements, mainly due to Don's excellent review of 1 particular 4s watch. His excellent review can still be seen here . The watch in question is th...  

Real beauty dear Mike

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : December 17th, 2014-03:37
Which just reminded me of...what was the verdict from Seiko masters regarding our "contest" about spring drive definition? Yoirs truly in expectation or cordially yours that missed post about it Damjan

Thank you, and regarding the Spring Drive discussion

 
 By: cazalea : December 17th, 2014-13:54
No, you didn't miss it - the finale was a bit anti-climactic. I started something I anticipated would be a bit more exciting at the finish, but it turned out that the fun was in the process of the competition. You convinced me I needed to go back and expl... 

Looks Fantastic

 
 By: jml_watches : June 13th, 2015-13:05
Hi That looks fantastic I can understand why you were captivated and had to have one. Not in the same league - but still inspired by others photos when I saw the first posts about the SARX029 and people raving about it I was inspired to get it. Cheers JML... 

U r equalliy poison!!

 
 By: radikaz : June 13th, 2015-19:49
Darn, wat a beautiful journey to obtain the Grand Seiko you loved. I just acquired my Grand Seiko SBGR095 after 3 tries, so i'm ecstatic as you! M

Found! After an unusually long search...

 
 By: matthewking : June 17th, 2015-18:36
Great thread topic. My most recent adventure was tracking down two all original, mint Seiko World Time watches from 1964. One was for me, the other for my dad. My goal was to give it to him for his 65th bday - I live in Tokyo and he lives in NYC, and the ...  

Excellent! What a great accomplishment!

 
 By: cazalea : June 17th, 2015-20:42
Thanks for sharing the photos and your story. I hope your dad enjoys the connection to this crazy watch world we inhabit. Cheers, Cazalea

I really like the story of

 
 By: Phuongpham39 : June 17th, 2015-19:38
how you have found this beautiful watch! I have never seen this model before. Is it the Wako?

No, just one of a few early manual wind Spring Drives

 
 By: cazalea : June 17th, 2015-20:45
I think they date to 1999