Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

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carlodwc

Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by carlodwc » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:13 am

A couple of months ago I "discovered" the Seiko SKX009, really liked it and it was then the first watch of that model series that I felt was working well for me. I sold a few larger watches in favor of getting a few more of those including the SKX171 and SKX007 models.

Then I had an idea, I always liked the Seiko Sumo but for some reason the two I had I did not wear much and ended up selling them. I did not know totally why because I really liked the looks of them. In retrospective I figured out that what was wrong was the fact that the case and bracelet were actually kind of heavy and the the watch itself while being 44mm in diameter had lugs that were only 20mm apart. That factor alone caused long term discomfort for my wrist and therefore off the Sumos went. But what if I took the Sumo looks and put it into one of these SKX? The advantage for me was that it is lighter and it has 22mm lugs which I much prefer and should make the watch more comfortable on my wrist.

I went to work and did some trading and selling again, got me another SKX009 in great condition with the Pepsi bezel gotten in trade from an Australian WIS and then sourced the blue Sumo dial. I had a set of hands and then added an aftermarket seconds hand that was more proportionate and aligned to the shape of the hour and minute hands. Then I put the whole thing together.

I wanted a bracelet for this watch and got a Seiko President bracelet but it was too short and could not find any more links anywhere, so I sold that and got an aftermarket Super President bracelet from the sales forum.

The result? Here it is, sorry for any dust and lint...


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Joeprez
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by Joeprez » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:32 am

I like it!

For a long time I thought about taking my PMMM (also on a Super President bracelet) and installing a Pepsi bezel insert. Well done! Now you only need to add a 4R movement (not sure a 6R would fit) :lol:

(171 dial, samurai hands, black day/date wheel):

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Edit: I have dibs :grin:
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by hobbit712 » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:37 am

Very nice! I really like that.
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by Ryeguy » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:40 am

A 6R movement will fit. You would have to source a 6R crown though.

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by PGERRITY » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:46 am

wow, I wish I knew how to do this stuff.. That looks awesome. Joe yours is badass too. Did you guys use Harold or someone else?

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by Joeprez » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:54 am

PGERRITY wrote:wow, I wish I knew how to do this stuff.. That looks awesome. Joe yours is badass too. Did you guys use Harold or someone else?
I used Harold for mine, just ask him for a PMMM (Poor Man's Marine Master). They are usually done with a white day/date wheel, but I think the black one looks better.

I sold it late last year I believe.
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by Torrid » Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:25 am

Joeprez wrote:I like it!

For a long time I thought about taking my PMMM (also on a Super President bracelet) and installing a Pepsi bezel insert. Well done! Now you only need to add a 4R movement (not sure a 6R would fit) :lol:

(171 dial, samurai hands, black day/date wheel):

Image

Edit: I have dibs :grin:
If you ever part with this one and no one has dibs, hit me up.

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by moishlashen » Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:42 am

I really like that Carlo. There's absolutely no reason to ever by a fake/replica watch when you can get something as good looking and robust as any SKX model.

Sumo dial looks great with the applied indices-handset looks great too. That's a hot piece you have there Carlo.
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by CGSshorty » Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:55 am

That looks outstanding. I love that bracelet.
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carlodwc

Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by carlodwc » Wed Nov 19, 2014 12:46 pm

Thank you all for the kind words, to answer some of the questions and to clarify a few points mentioned above I would like to say that:

The Seiko 6r15 movement of the Sumo and SARB line fits perfectly into the SKX case, however the stem of the crown is different. It is in fact the same as the 4r35 movement. Such upgrade would be nice of course but would bump up the cost of the project considerably. But it can be done.

The PMMM projects can be done, like in the case of Joe’s, using a SKX171 watch, the watch already has a movement with black date and day wheels and the dial with chrome framed markers so one only needs the hands and a SKX007 bezel and insert. I planned to use that at first but ended up changing my mind about it because the lume paint is too thinly applied to the markers for my taste. The lume paint on the markers and hands of the Sumo is thicker and more uniform. Not a big deal really but since I also prefer to not copy other projects but do my own and possibly new more unique ones, I figured that I would be better off with the dial and hands of the Sumo for what I wanted. :thumbsup:

I too much prefer this kind of watch to a copy or replica, of course one does what he can, but I feel that the level of quality, uniqueness, reliability combined with a price that is affordable to many, makes these watches (Seiko divers) unbeatable as bang for the buck. :grin:

The bracelet is a bonus, I really wanted one of these for a while but most of the ones one find on E-prey are overpriced. Fortunately I found it on the sales forums and I am glad of that.

There are a couple of more projects in the works, just need to get some parts in… I have quite a bit of fun doing these so hopefully I can continue for a while… ;)

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:52 pm

WOW that looks great Carlo!!!! Let me know when it is time to sell it and I might be your buyer if the cards are right!!!

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:54 pm

Also it makes it more of a classier looking SKX instead of the plain applied lume which is cool as a beater but this one has more of a classy look to it. Heck a yobokies BOR might even work on it also.

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by DaveT » Wed Nov 19, 2014 5:27 pm

That looks great Carlo! :thumbsup:

I have a Sumo and agree with what you said about it being uncomfortable for long term wear, I have it on the 22mm BOR bracelet and it helps but I find the SKX's much more comfortable. If I had your skills I would swap the dial/hands into a SKX case any be very happy!
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by Terpits » Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:12 pm

Nice Carlo!

Did you mean to post this on the FS forum?

I might be interested..
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by jeckyll » Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:42 pm

Very cool.

If you could turn these out in larger numbers, looks like you could sell at least 4 or 5 based on this tread alone. :cheers:
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Re: Seiko

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:45 pm

Terpits wrote:Nice Carlo!

Did you mean to post this on the FS forum?

I might be interested..
back off buster!!! :angryfire:

carlodwc

Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by carlodwc » Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:13 pm

Thank you and no worries, no plans to sell this for the moment. ;)

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toxicavenger
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:13 pm

carlodwc wrote:Thank you and no worries, no plans to sell this for the moment. ;)
:crybaby:

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by gonzomantis » Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:02 pm

I love it Carlo! These other guys should really understand the I have first refusal. :grin:

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:07 pm

gonzomantis wrote:I love it Carlo! These other guys should really understand the I have first refusal. :grin:
:banplz:

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by mattcantwin » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:43 pm

Great project! :thumbsup:
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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by jswing » Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:09 am

That looks fantastic! :clap: I've always liked the Sumo, but found the dimensions awkward, while the SXK case is a great fit. This is a perfect solution. And I have an 009 on route.. Hmmm, makes me think. :think:

carlodwc

Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by carlodwc » Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:18 am

Thank you and surely I can attest that it is worth doing. I have two SKX009, this is one and the other has the original dial with similar hands but in black and white so that I have two similar but different looks...

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by toxicavenger » Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:21 am

^^^that looks great also but the chrome surrounds on the Sumo dial rocks it

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Re: Seiko "Mediterraneo" blue dial project

Post by jeckyll » Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:26 am

toxicavenger wrote:^^^that looks great also but the chrome surrounds on the Sumo dial rocks it
Agreed, it dresses it up more. Adds a touch of class :thumbsup:
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