Seiko 6139-6005 "Pogue" Projekt

[handwound]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to show my next project, a Seiko 6139-6005 chronograph. I think we can skip the discussion whether this is actually a Pogue or not  

The case is a bit rough, so I want to try to refinish it a bit. My plan is to file it down from rough to fine grain first, then polish it and apply the circular brushing in the end. I will orientate on the video "My Retro Watches" made about the refinishing of this case. At first I thought about replacing the bezel, but in person it looks a lot better than in the pictures. As it didn't came with a bracelet I need to think about that too. I think I will go for an uncle seiko bracelet, since I find the original bracelets a bit expensive for what they are. 

 

The dial is in really nice condition, the lume has slightly darkened at the edges and match with the hands. I hope I will find the first two numbers of the serial number on it's backside, so I have the proof that it wasn't replaced. 

The movement looks quite clean and isn't running to bad, so that's already a good sign. 

Unfortunately the (hammer?) spring looks to be from a Seiko 6139A, while this is a Seiko 6139B, so I will have to source the correct one. The chronograph is actually working fine though. 

The last thing I have to deal with is the crown. It has the correct stem with the spring and the gear that turns the inner bezel, but I think it's no the correct one for this case, it should be a bit more flat. As a result you can advance the date, but not the day of the week, because you can't press it in deep enough. 

 

It's the first time I will service this movement, so if there is anything special I should know about the job, or if you have some of the parts I need, then please let me know   

I already have the service manual, so no need for you to upload it  

Edited February 15, 2021 by handwound

[canthus]

I have a 6139-6002 with 6139B movement with the same case I think.  I attach a few pics showing the crown, the spring, and the refurbished case and original bracelet which may help.  I did the circular finish to the case top by polishing the case then masking off the bezel  and polished areas. I then used a large rubber washer on a shaped block (the surface is slightly domed) then glued so wet and dry paper (can't remember grit size) to the washer/block.  I then used this by applying to surface and rotating the washer/block by hand.  I had to replace the plastic day finger (damaged), the intermediate date wheel (damaged) and the main spring (bridle was detached, 6139B not available so used 6139A which seems to work fine).  I also replaced crystal as broke it when trying to polish out scratches (dropped it on stone floor!!), could not find OEM so used sternkraus special equivalent.  Service of movement was straightforward (I have some pics if you get stuck) but special attention is needed when refitting the centre second/chrono hand as it fits very tightly on a square pin and the lower jewel needs to be supported.

 

[handwound]

Thanks for sharing your experience @canthus 

for the brushing „my retro watches“ used a grid 360 polishing fleece, so that’s what I will try. I will remove the bezel and the crystal for working on the case, I hope it doesn’t crack... 

I usually take pictures while disassembly when I work on a new movement, so getting it back together shouldn’t be a problem. I remember the need of support while fitting the seconds hand from my Omega 565, can you give advice on how to do it best for this one?

you have a really nice example by the way, the condition is great if dial and bezel are original, congrats 

[canthus]

Glad to be of assistance.  The original watch was given to me by a friend who bought it new, so dial/bezel are indeed original, as is the rest apart from the new parts described.

[handwound]

So on Sunday I disassembled the movement. 

With the dial removed you can see the day and the date disc.

When you remove the day disc you will find a plate that covers most of the calendar mechanism. 

 

 

Be careful when you remove the big spring for the date quickset (long spring at 12 o' clock). It is under a lot of tension, so unhook it before you unscrew it. 

 

With the chronograph bridge removed you will find all the parts that belong to the chronograph mechanism. My tip: unhook both springs for the chronograph before you remove the plate, these can fly off very easy. Also be very gentle when removing the minute recording wheel, it has a long pivot that can break off quickly. 

 

Once you removed all parts for the chrono mechanism it's basically just like any other watch, so nothing special, apart from the chronograph center wheel. 

 

So finally disassembled, with all parts neatly organized in groups, so I will know what belongs together  

 

I cleaned all the parts in an ultrasonic cleaner, after that I rinsed them in destilled water and isopropanol. I've let the balance assembly and the pallet fork sit in some lighter fluid to get them absolutly spotless. After they were dry I could proceed with the assembly and lubrication. 

 

Both the disassembly and the assembly went quite smooth, no parts flying off, the chrono and date mechanism working flawlessly, I was really happy about that  

 

On the timegrapher I get decent results, with an amplitude of about 250 - 260°. As much as I know about this movement I think this is quite good, please correct me if I'm wrong Timing needs some adjustment though, but that's no big deal. 

 

So in the end I was really happy with the results. This was the first chronograph I've ever serviced and I'm surprised that I didn't had any problems. I hope you enjoyed this short report  

Edited February 24, 2021 by handwound

[canthus]

Hi handwound

Good to hear of your success.  Did you see the post re 'Seiko 6139B centre second alignment', some useful info in it. 

Your links don't seem to work, just get a black page with a very small image at the centre.  I would very much like to see your pics.

[handwound]

Strange, I‘ve tried on different devices and for me the pictures are displayed as normal

I have seen the post, but after I finished the service. Unfortunately I don‘t have such a movement holder, but for me it worked without it  

next step is to refinish the case, I already ordered an uncle Seiko bracelet today. I chose the tapered instead of the straight one, as it seems to be the correct shape for the year the watch was made in.

I still would like to obtain the correct hammer spring, but as it is working fine without it it doesn’t have priority at the moment.

And finally there is still the issue with the crown, so I‘ll have to deal with that too. But also something that can wait, as I can still use the watch with the current one

So the majority of the work is done, but there’s still a bit left to do  

[PastorChris]

Excellent project and I am looking forward to furthers posts.

[handwound]

Yesterday I started to work on the case. First some pictures from before:

I started with a grid 100 file and that got out most of the deep scratches and dents. I used some water while filing so the removed metal doesn’t settle into the files too much. 

after that I moved all the way up to grid 12000 and this is how the case looks now:

 

On the top surface I didn’t went up to 12000, because it will be brushed in the end anyway.

I think this already is a remarkable improvement. Getting to this point already took me hours.

next step will be to polish the sides with a wheel and apply the brushing to the top.

Edited March 2, 2021 by handwound

[canthus]

Looking good.  If I remember correctly I finished to high polish with Dialux Grey and then Dialux Green.  Used several soft mops in a Dremel. Need to change mop regularly for good final polish to avoid 'carry over' residues into next stage.

[handwound]

So here is the finished result, I‘m really happy how it came out:

apart from the uncle Seiko bracelet it is completely original. At the moment it doesn’t have the original crown installed, but I already acquired an original one that just needs to be swapped in.

[canthus]

Looks great. You must feel very proud of your efforts, I know I was. 

[handwound]

@canthusI am, first service of a chronograph, first case restoration, quite a big step for me and I’m really happy that everything went so well. I expected to have some issues here and there, as it is normal when you try something new, but nothing

[DavidADav]

Very nice work! I love that watch, and used to have one until it was stolen from my dorm room decades ago. Now you’ve got me thinking about it again, so I will have to start scouring eBay...

[handwound]

@DavidADavwhat a shame, I wish you good luck on the hunt