Seiko bracelets

[graemeW]

Does anyone here understand them?

I have a seiko 5, 6309, 8620. Was on a horrible strap so found a 19mm seiko bracelet for it.

It doesn't fit great though. The end links are 19mm, the end of the bracelet is 20mm. I know sometimes the bracelets overhang the lugs. 

But, this case has long lugs so the ends of the strap foul the lugs and stop it sitting nicely.

So I found another bracelet, with longer end links. The end links fitted the lugs perfectly. But, the pin holes on mine are further towards the case than on the bracelet I bought. The pin holes on mine are oddly quite far in.

I have no idea what this watch would have had, it's 44 years old now too so hard to find out. 

I see a few options. Keep looking for a bracelet (I've also been looking for a donor watch, but can't find anything which looks like it might work).

Or, narrow the ends of the bracelet I have. I could probably make a decent job of this. I'm not entirely convinced about how this strap fits to these end links either though.

Or, find a bracelet that is 19mm wide like the end links are. This will look odd though as the lugs will still extend past the end links.

Or, trim/shape the lugs. I could then use this bracelet. I could probably also use a few other seiko bracelets. I could probably do a decent job, but it feels like the wrong thing to do. 

Any thoughts/opinions welcome.

[Malocchio]

My advice is: if you find a nice vintage Seiko, buy one with the original bracelet because you'll never find the correct end links separately. 

[graemeW]

3 minutes ago, Malocchio said:

My advice is: if you find a nice vintage Seiko, buy one with the original bracelet because you'll never find the correct end links separately. 

Seems the case!

But, I really liked this dial and bezel. It's the only one I've seen and I can't find another the same.

There are similar, but with bigger dial markers which I don't like.

If I could have bought the exact watch, but paid more and had the  bracelet too, I would have.

I didnt have much choice. Cant even find the same watch with a different dial. Ive been searching all of ebay seiko listings every day for over a month now. 

[AndyGSi]

Should be a S071S which was a leather strap but you'll be lucky to find one.

[graemeW]

27 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Should be a S071S which was a leather strap but you'll be lucky to find one.

I did wonder if it was originally on a leather strap.

I imaged searched the watch number when I got it and they all had bracelets, but very wrong ones. One has a proper seiko bracelet, but going back and examining the pic closer, that doesnt fit much better than mine either.

So I guess I either need a strap (I really don't want it on a strap), or I modify the case.

Maybe I could find a donor case/strap combo.

Still don't known what option to take.

[AndyGSi]

The length of the lugs is also a giveaway that it was a leather strap.

The awkward part about these is the fact that they're 19mm lug width.

[graemeW]

43 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

The length of the lugs is also a giveaway that it was a leather strap.

The awkward part about these is the fact that they're 19mm lug width.

Everyone says it's awkward, bit there are loads of 19mm straps and bracelets available.

I really want this on a bracelet though, so I either swap the case, modify the case, or modify the strap and live with the lugs sticking out too far.

I might narrow the bracelet, I think it would look better anyway. Then I might try and find a case. If I can't, I'll give in and modify the lugs.

[AndyGSi]

As a Seiko purist I would advise against doing anything with the case either modification or swapping.

Likewise if it's a genuine Seiko bracelet then I wouldn't touch that either.

I think I may have a 6309-8620 somewhere so if I can dig it out I'll see what straps maybe suitable.

Edit

What's the length of the lug from case to tip?

Edited January 29 by AndyGSi

[graemeW]

I feel the same, I think it would be a real shame to modify the case.

 

The lugs, measuring the longest part on the inside of the lug is 7mm. The pin hole seems to be 2.5mm from the end of the lug, to the center of the pin hole.

I think the strap is genuine, I don't know how to tell. I know there are fakes. The end links have seiko numbers though, G1465 E

Don't know if it's similar age either, they were bought independently.

as much as I don't want to modify anything, I also want this blue dial, on a 6309, with a fluted bezel and a stainless strap. Preferably this style (like a flat jubilee?) or jubilee style.

Looking at the lack of the lugs, there are marks where the end links ears have sat over the years.

Someone once told me it would have had an H link strap. I know little about seikos though so no idea

 

Edited January 29 by graemeW

[AndyGSi]

So the strap is genuine from either a 7009-3101 or 7S26-3100

[graemeW]

Ok, glad it's seiko. I knew it wasn't for this watch, but buying used seiko bracelets is a minefield!

I'm unsure what to do now. If the case can't nearly be fitted with a bracelet and I don't want to mod the case.

Only other option I can think of is ro buy a 19mm bracelet, one which doesn't widen after the end links like mine does. The  make some custom solid end links to match the bracelet to the case. A lot of faff though. 

It is wearable, just doesn't sit nice and it bits me that it doesn't quite operate properly.

I don't mind it being a bit of a miss match, but I should probably leave the case/movement/dial combination as is.

I'll be servicing it soon and putting a new spring in it. Needs the hands reluming too although the dial markers are fine.

Edited January 29 by graemeW

[AndyGSi]

Just gone through a few of my Seikos and the 7S26-0060 looks to have similar lugs which also measure around 7mm.

I'll see if I can find the 6309-8620 and see how that strap fits.

Edit

Forgot to add the photo.

 

Edited January 29 by AndyGSi

[graemeW]

That's interesting. Are they 19mm? Where is the pin hole in relation to the end of the lug?

[AndyGSi]

33 minutes ago, graemeW said:

That's interesting. Are they 19mm? Where is the pin hole in relation to the end of the lug?

Yes it's 19mm but didn't get time last night to pull the strap so will have another look tonight.

[AndyGSi]

Had another look last night and now note sure if it would work.

Where did you measure the 7mm & 2.5mm? Front or Back?

I'll have another look this weekend and see if I can find a 6309-8620 in my stock.

Edited January 31 by AndyGSi

[graemeW]

I measured 7mm inside the lug, back side of case. The longest internal measurement if the lug.

The 2.5mm was the longest distance from the very tip of the lug to the center of the hole. This is the problem bit.

I bought a new 'seiko' bracelet, don't know if it was genuine. The end links were the right length and followed the lugs perfectly, but the pins were significantly further towards the end of the lugs so there was no way to get it to attach.

I'm no longer convinced there is a proper bracelet for for this case.

I've found other 6309 8620 watches, but always without any kind of strap/bracelet, or with some poorly fitting aftermarket bracelet.

I'm tempted to find a scrap one just for the case so I can modify it with less guilt. Still doesn't feel right though, and they aren't exactly plentiful!

[AndyGSi]

I've found one so will try and see tonight what straps will fit.

 

[AndyGSi]

So far the nearest I've got is with a Seiko 4996 but is a little short for the lugs and would need a shave where is meets the case.

[graemeW]

On 2/4/2025 at 10:21 PM, AndyGSi said:

So far the nearest I've got is with a Seiko 4996 but is a little short for the lugs and would need a shave where is meets the case.

Sorry, hadn't realise you had replied to this.

Thanks for having a look, appreciate it. That seems to fit like the one I have does as far as end links goes. 

Is it the width of the strap between the lugs that needs a shave?

[AndyGSi]

1 hour ago, graemeW said:

Sorry, hadn't realise you had replied to this.

Thanks for having a look, appreciate it. That seems to fit like the one I have does as far as end links goes. 

Is it the width of the strap between the lugs that needs a shave?

No it's this part here where is clashes with the bezel.

The problem as you already know is the position of the holes in the lugs.

I've had another though that maybe to modify the end pieces with a tube so it sits in the right position.