Seiko SKZ265 K1 - spare part hunt

[MartinF]

I've got hold of a used Seiko SKZ265 K1 automatic. However, during initial inspection, parts started smouldering off of the protective resin shroud, forcing me to remove all of the resin bits and make room for a replacement. Oh well, that only made remaining maintenance easier.

However, without the resin shroud the case look a bit like a poodle that's been to a mad-scientist-doggie-salon for a fur-cut

Pre-smoulder-picture:

Post-cleanup-picture:

Now, where do I get a replacement resin shroud from? Any ideas?

I live in Denmark and feel perfectly capable of installing it myself. I just need the - quite proprietary - sparepart.

[AndyGSi]

I think your only option would be Seiko direct but don't think they'd be interested in supplying the part (if it's available).

How much is still in one piece and have you ever done any resin casting?

[watchweasol]

Hi. Have you any pals who own a 3D  printer or as Andy suggested resin casting . Most likely the only options available.

[AndyGSi]

3D Printing would be OK if there's enough left and you also know someone with a scanner.

[MartinF]

Scanning is not an option. Shroud has utterly and completely disintegrated into little bits.

I think I can 3D-print, altogether avoiding casting. Have both FDM and resin printers in-house. This is obviously a job for the resin-printer.

An email is out to the local Seiko dealer. Not particularly high expectations on that one though.

Being a 3D-print nerd I obviously had that in my mind, but - with the watch being a proper Seiko and not some homemade concoction, I would prefer OE spareparts.

 

However the task of designing a replacement part of my own design was simply too exciting, so I've made a rough sketch that looks like this - for the moment it's a fitting-exercise:

 

Either my email will get me an OE-part or my own design will end up fitting properly.

Edited April 8 by MartinF

[AndyGSi]

Looks good.

Will you be leaving it like that or expanding and making as the original? 

[MartinF]

On 4/8/2025 at 11:31 AM, AndyGSi said:

Looks good.

Will you be leaving it like that or expanding and making as the original? 

3D-print is always an iterative process. Especially when trying to fit a new gadget A to an existing thingamabob B.

Dunno if I'll aim for OE look. Since last, some 5 protos have been done, fitting better each time. Once fit is in place, form will be addressed. Prototype-sequence up till now (right-to-left):

1. Non-functional.
2. Non-fit.
3. Bad fit.
4. Better fit.
5. Almost-there fit.

I'm now here (that's '5'):

I'm getting there...

[MartinF]

So. Fit attained. Next step is to try mimicking OE. A challenge, but only caused by the 3D-printing-process involved.

Response from Seiko dealer received. A whiny 'we can't help you', likely caused by them not having sold me the watch. I think they don't care.

Next step in that direction is to address the european Seiko office.

[MartinF]

Hrmpft!

European Seiko office addressed. No cigar. Part seems to be out of production. Funny, considering it's a comsumable; a protector - like knee sliders or gloves.

Done a FDM print with black PP; absolutely horrible result. Useless. Too close for missiles - switching to guns; resin-print. Methinks I have a bottle of black, TPU-like rubbery resin somewhere.