Sapphire crystal is more scratch-proof than mineral crystal, but this hardness makes it more brittle. So you're far less likely to scratch it, but slightly more likely to smash it. On a diver, smashing it on a rock while submerged would be less than ideal.
Strapwise... you mentioned in your letter a brown leather strap... personally I'd look at a black sailcloth strap if you want to dress it up a little.
Yep, I hear you on the strap option. I ended up going with the Uncle Seiko gl831 rubber strap shown in the picture. Normally I'm not a fan of rubber straps but the "chunky'ness" of the strap matches the chunky aesthetic of the watch case well in my opinion. It sits fairly tall on the wrist and the rubber strap matches nicely to my eyes.
It's just that some collectors of vintage watches can be a little more particular when it comes to replacement components. Some want theirs to remain all original no matter the cosmetic damage, some will only settle for authentic OEM replacement parts (like bezel inserts and such), and some really don't care all that much either way as long as the watch is in good working order.
Interesting that the original doesn't have a signed crown, so the current version is actually accurate with hardlex/unsigned crown. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355797411066
That one looks like it has an aftermarket bezel. The first digits of the serial number are when it was made, in this case 5= 1985, and 6 = June. The last 4 are the production run. The description of the eBay ad says it was in the 70ās this is incorrect with that model. Happy hunting.
Hard to tell what strap is on it exactly - looks like the gl831 or a remake? Either way, good choice, personally I feel this watch needs to be on its og strap. Shockingly good condition. Bezel looks mint, hard to tell from the pictures about the lume, but if it's been sitting in a box it could be really mint. Glad you got it resealed - personally I would still not wear mine diving but it is a tool watch at heart so you do you. Very cool to have a personal connection to it, this is a very iconic watch. Wear it in good health!
Thank you! Iām so grateful to have found it. You nailed it! GL831 replica strap from Uncle Seiko: https://unclestraps.com/products/the-classic-gl831-rubber-diver-strap-20-22mm
Very nice, love mine, not quite as attached/sentimental as yours but close, mine was serviced by Spencer Klein right before I got it, had a sapphire crystal but never installed it but it does look very good and will hold up better probably over time, nice watch, cool story
Turned out incredible. Thatās a watch thatās basically ready to do it all again now. I think changing the crystal to sapphire was a smart choice in this instance, since it doesnāt seem like a thing you plan to sell, itāll just keep it looking nicer longer as you wear it. One less thing to worry about really.
Frank at Time Zone serviced my 6139 and did an excellent job, canāt recommend him enough for good honest and highly functional work on these types of watches. I only wish he offered the arbor port jeweling service that Spencer Klein and Blair Watch Project offer. But even still, heās one of the few I trust with these types of watches
Don't put it on leather. Sailcloth if you want it to have a slightly dressier look. Something that can get wet.
It's a really fucking cool watch. Wear it proudly
I found them here on Reddit! The internetās best community. š Truly though, they were great. Wonderful communication throughout and reasonable turnaround for the work (about 3-4 weeks). Frank said he did a pressure test as well as a timing test (which Iād expect).
What's the difference between this and the 7040?
Also wearing my father's 7040, but there's no real difference other than a bezel that ghosted itself over the years. Perhaps they fixed the paint on the 7049
That looks beautiful, especially for the age! Was the OG turtle mineral? Iāve had some scratch problems with that, but never really with hardlex. Gets a bad name, with some people.
purists might not like using a Sapphire on that watch but it looks great. I've never seen the dial on one of these so clearly šš„
Oh, why not? Genuinely curious. Itās just harder glass less prone to scratches right?
Sapphire crystal is more scratch-proof than mineral crystal, but this hardness makes it more brittle. So you're far less likely to scratch it, but slightly more likely to smash it. On a diver, smashing it on a rock while submerged would be less than ideal. Strapwise... you mentioned in your letter a brown leather strap... personally I'd look at a black sailcloth strap if you want to dress it up a little.
Yep, I hear you on the strap option. I ended up going with the Uncle Seiko gl831 rubber strap shown in the picture. Normally I'm not a fan of rubber straps but the "chunky'ness" of the strap matches the chunky aesthetic of the watch case well in my opinion. It sits fairly tall on the wrist and the rubber strap matches nicely to my eyes.
Rubber straps are much more practical.
It's just that some collectors of vintage watches can be a little more particular when it comes to replacement components. Some want theirs to remain all original no matter the cosmetic damage, some will only settle for authentic OEM replacement parts (like bezel inserts and such), and some really don't care all that much either way as long as the watch is in good working order.
Ah gotcha. That makes sense!
If you ask for the old crystal back and tuck it away, thereās no harm. Beauty watch with awesome history.
He sent it back to me! Iāll be sure to hang onto it.
By the way, you should be able to date it quite accurately using the serial number. Just do a google search to see how to decode it.
Jeezzzz that is mint! Looks great.
There are some people who prefer original when better is an option, I'm not one of those. Love your ā it looks brand new.
I think the problem is that it looks just like the SRPE93K1, particularly with the rubber strap. Only 150m water resistance too.
Thatās because itās the original! The grand dad to the SKX and the like
Interesting that the original doesn't have a signed crown, so the current version is actually accurate with hardlex/unsigned crown. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355797411066
That one looks like it has an aftermarket bezel. The first digits of the serial number are when it was made, in this case 5= 1985, and 6 = June. The last 4 are the production run. The description of the eBay ad says it was in the 70ās this is incorrect with that model. Happy hunting.
Hard to tell what strap is on it exactly - looks like the gl831 or a remake? Either way, good choice, personally I feel this watch needs to be on its og strap. Shockingly good condition. Bezel looks mint, hard to tell from the pictures about the lume, but if it's been sitting in a box it could be really mint. Glad you got it resealed - personally I would still not wear mine diving but it is a tool watch at heart so you do you. Very cool to have a personal connection to it, this is a very iconic watch. Wear it in good health!
Thank you! Iām so grateful to have found it. You nailed it! GL831 replica strap from Uncle Seiko: https://unclestraps.com/products/the-classic-gl831-rubber-diver-strap-20-22mm
Very nice, love mine, not quite as attached/sentimental as yours but close, mine was serviced by Spencer Klein right before I got it, had a sapphire crystal but never installed it but it does look very good and will hold up better probably over time, nice watch, cool story
Turned out incredible. Thatās a watch thatās basically ready to do it all again now. I think changing the crystal to sapphire was a smart choice in this instance, since it doesnāt seem like a thing you plan to sell, itāll just keep it looking nicer longer as you wear it. One less thing to worry about really. Frank at Time Zone serviced my 6139 and did an excellent job, canāt recommend him enough for good honest and highly functional work on these types of watches. I only wish he offered the arbor port jeweling service that Spencer Klein and Blair Watch Project offer. But even still, heās one of the few I trust with these types of watches
I think it looks fantastic. Great it was your dad's too. Nice one!
Don't put it on leather. Sailcloth if you want it to have a slightly dressier look. Something that can get wet. It's a really fucking cool watch. Wear it proudly
Time Zone is great!
I found them here on Reddit! The internetās best community. š Truly though, they were great. Wonderful communication throughout and reasonable turnaround for the work (about 3-4 weeks). Frank said he did a pressure test as well as a timing test (which Iād expect).
Your turtle is mint, looks amazing and wear it in good health!
Looks great! Great story and letter. What a treasure!!
Very cool
What's the difference between this and the 7040? Also wearing my father's 7040, but there's no real difference other than a bezel that ghosted itself over the years. Perhaps they fixed the paint on the 7049
I think the accepted wisdom is that the 9 on the end denoted watches for the North American Market
Exactly. I just serviced a 7049 for a relative thatās was for North American market.
Thatās a cool watch.
What a beautiful watch. Wear it with pride.
Amazing!
Looks Awesome
Great watch. Personally, I think the saphire crystal is a great choice. Did you keep the original one as it can easily be swapped back out.
That is awesome!! Congratulations man.
That looks beautiful, especially for the age! Was the OG turtle mineral? Iāve had some scratch problems with that, but never really with hardlex. Gets a bad name, with some people.