I got this watch from an online auction site and for a very good price. It intrigued me right from the start as I haven’t heard of a watch designed and built for the visually impaired and one by a well-known brand – Seiko. Now, that’s something I’d like have a closer look at, I thought to myself.
To tell the time, the user will open the crystal hatch by flicking one end and as it’s hinged it will flip open like a clam shell. Once opened, the user can feel for the hour and minute hands. The hands you’ll notice are thicker than the normal watch hands, of course to allow tactile manoeuvring, and is screwed in the middle.
The dial looked clean as well as the case except for some scratches on the case. Okay, so the crystal had seen better days but still, I was expecting worse. I mean look at the logo and imprint, they’re still legible considering they’re printed and not applied and survived time-telling rubbings.
It was only until I opened the back that I found it had lots of wrist cheese. Have a look! Thats a mixture of rust, sweat and dna.
Even the surrounds on the back of the case reveals ancient untold history. So, despite the clean facade, there were secrets lurking behind the caseback. Moreover, the front also sported heaps of gunk.
Removing the movement was nothing special so that was good. This is a basic three-hander so it’s all a simple operation. All clean from the dial side.
Even the movement side reveals a clean chassis which is good as despite all the moisture ingress, as evidenced by the plethora of collective gunk, I can’t see any rust or lots of wear and tear.
Here’s a close up of a trap. That spring and click was under the ratchet wheel and if you weren’t careful, that spring could’ve sprung into orbit or onto your plush carpet, never to be seen again. Even Indie would’ve fallen for this trap.
The Centre Wheel. Bottom hole is jeweled except for the top one on the bridge.
Fascinating Main Barrel, this one, as it was two-toned. Bottom barrel was brass and the top lid was stainless steel. Never seen one like it before as usually they come in one material only, i.e. stainless steel. Looks clean to me.
Finally, the fully disassembled watch in all its glory. Try not to sneeze, please.
Oh, here’s a picture of the badly scratched crystal. I’ll just give it a polish, however, I’ll leave the case alone.
So, I polished the crystal first before reassembling the whole thing. As you can see from the above, it’s polished quite well. Compare the before and after and you’ll see the big difference.
The finished product. The crystal is in the closed position where it’s doing its proper job of protecting the dial.
To tell the time for the user, he or she can lift up the crystal and feel for time. Makes you wonder if this watch is redundant now especially in the age of smart phones and the apple watch.
Check out the close up shot of the dial. Well, this project’s finished and the watch can serve for another few years.
Thank you for reading.