The Dive Watch Connection

So after the recent sell-off, I have ended up with this vintage beauty: the Seiko 6306-7001. What's that you say? It looks just like the 6309 you just sold? Are you crazy, aren't they the same? Crazy, maybe, but the same watch, au contraire mon frere. There are some differences. Most notably, not that you can gather from the ensuing pics, is the 6306 movement, which has a hacking feature. Another subtle difference, as you will notice, is the Kanji (japanese) day wheel. Jack at IWW had this one for sale and according to his listing, he refinished the case, added a sapphire crystal, relumed the hands and indices, serviced the movement and added new gaskets and pressure tested it. In a few words, it's ready to go. I couldn't resist as I've wanted a 6306 for a long time but always hesitated because I didn't want to get one, and have to wait for months for the servicing and mods. Here, the work is all done. The original dial is noted by the script at 6 and the beveled day/date window. Relume job is pretty good and the glow is very bright. There is some discoloration to the handset, which just adds to the wabi on this watch and I wouldn't have it any other way (i.e., no aftermarket "new" parts). The bezel insert shows a few marks, but again, that's just some history I'd like to add to. I've always wondered where some of these watches started their journey, and I wonder what tales this one could tell, if any. Dial script is slightly faded (see "water resist" section) but what would you expect of a 40 year old watch?) I think it looks right at home on the ISOfrane strap and might one day get one of Noah's Tsunami bracelets with solid end links, but all in due time. Had the 6309 on the ISOfrane before Gerry picked it up (Gerry I haven't forgotten about you, bro ). Enough talky talk, on to the pics.

That is a beauty, and it's in great shape! I love these vintage Seiko divers.

Cool pickup, Brad.

I know squat about vintage Seiko, but that one looks good to me.

Great piece Brad and I love the 6306.

Nice condition for that age and really good knowing it has had a full service before you picked it up.

Brad congrats on your new Seiko 6306

Brad, beautiful pickup! What strap combos I have found to work on the 6309 is the TF retro with the round ends (this way it fit right up to the case of the watch), Z-22 and the best bracelet was a WilliamJ Super Oyster 2. That was a bada@@ bracelet, now Noah's is nice, but since it didn't taper I didn't like it on the old school case.

Hey keep me in the loop if you feel like flipping it.

toxicavenger wrote:Brad, beautiful pickup! What strap combos I have found to work on the 6309 is the TF retro with the round ends (this way it fit right up to the case of the watch), Z-22 and the best bracelet was a WilliamJ Super Oyster 2. That was a bada@@ bracelet, now Noah's is nice, but since it didn't taper I didn't like it on the old school case.

Hey keep me in the loop if you feel like flipping it.

Hey Terry, you got a link to some pics of that William J Super Oyster 2? Even better, a place to snag one.

Here is a pic of my old one that is now Henry's baby. I will send you a pm with William's info.

got it, thanks Terry. I'll hit william up tomorrow and see what he's got. In the meantime, are those solid links and end links?

. . . Seiko. Doing things right for a really long time . . .

. . . I dig the kanji. Can't read it, but the cool factor is measured by Richter Scale.

Actually Brad is a solid link bracelet with hollow end links. Now William does sell a bracelet with solid end links but he said this one would fit better since they were handmade by swedefreak from TWS. And he was right, the end links were super nice and didn't rattle at all. If I were to do it again I would defnitely go this route again.

Either way ask Henry too what he thinks, since he knows his stuff.

i like. def a good move selling your old seiko for this one.

Looks great!

Looks great..some day I hope to try a vintage Seiko diver...

Love the date wheel...

Mike

thanks gang.

Terry, I'll drop william a line about those. If the hollow end links fit better and don't rattle, then that's the way I'll go.

Henry, if you're reading this, feel free to post up some shots of yours on that bracelet.

What a beauty! I was looking for a nice unit like this. Winner!

Those vintage Seiko's are cool....and the luuuuuuume!

Very cool piece.

Yup!!

She's a beauty, an absolute keeper!!


Health to wear!!!!

Hang on to that sweet one Brad .

Super cool watch you got there Brad. I'm really into these cushion case models and that's one i wasn't aware of.
If you get the end links from Willi J,you will need his special spring bars,the Seiko fat ones won't fit but his special spring bars have large ends to fit snugly in the lug holes.

snootydog wrote:Super cool watch you got there Brad. I'm really into these cushion case models and that's one i wasn't aware of.
If you get the end links from Willi J,you will need his special spring bars,the Seiko fat ones won't fit but his special spring bars have large ends to fit snugly in the lug holes.

Thanks Andy. I found william jean's ebay post for the 6306/6309 super oyster. The ad says it comes with a set of the double flanged soring bars specific for those end links, so hopefully it will arrive ready to go. It's still on the isofrane right now, and that ain't bad at all. Matter of fact, it could spend the majority of it's time there.

Nice piece Brad.
That lume is killer.

Yep, you're gonna like it

just remember, dibs if you ever flip it.