For WL: Seiko H558-5009 "Arnie" Restoration

[@buzzsears2588]

Spencer, want to thank you so much for posting these H558-Arnie service videos. I have a sweet 85 mint Arnie that I used to ship to Seiko's facility in New Jersey every time it needed a new battery. The last time I sent it in it cost me close to $100 smackers for shipping, insurance, and of course the install of a new battery. This time I decided to tackle the job myself. I had most of the tools, but I ordered a knock-off Bergeon 5700 "Waterproof" case opener. That's the one with the wheel. It is awesome and cost 1/10th of the Swiss model. I purchased it since I have a plethora of standard quartz and they all needed battery replacements. Anyway, that tool was so easy to use and the case came off so smoothly. It also helps removing the backs without fear of scratching the case. It took all of 20 minutes to swap batteries. I also used Seiko's gasket sealant. One note. If done right you only need to remove one of the screws that hold the battery clip in place. I removed one, and loosened the other and was able to swing the clip to one side to replace the battery. Again, thanks so much for your helpful tips and videos,

[@gshockbabe6144]

Professor Klein does it again!

[@thebronzetoo]

Fascinting Resto, Spencer!! Very cool to watch the master watch-man do his thing!

[@Lam9]

Very sophisticated work, well done! I got an Arnie myself, is that anyway possible for you to restore mine? Thanks!

[@MZ-xy5kr]

Spencer, love your Seiko Arnie episodes here. I have a Dive 150 (H558-5009) which I purchased in 1985 (original owner). It is in mint condition and I mean MINT. Seiko USA in Mahwah has been servicing my watch since I have owned it. In 2017 they repaired the movement and repaired the bezel and replaced the band. They did not replace the battery. It's now June 2021 and the LED/LCD display is blinking on and off, the second hand and hour and minute hands have stopped, All indicative of it needing a new battery. I have some watch tools, case holder and case back remover (purchased from Esslinger). I have been replacing batteries in most of my watches, but have not opened that Arnie. I have heard you need a special case back removal tool because of it being a dive watch. I have also heard thatyou should have a silicon gels to put on the back of the watch and its seal before putting the case back on. The repair ticket did not list a replacement seal. So I am assuming that the seal was still in good shape. My question is, should I send it back to Seiko, or replace the battery myself? Again, love your videos on your old Arnie restorations.

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Me, I'd just do it myself. The caseback isn't anything weird - typical six-lug screwback. Yes, silicon grease for the seals.

[@MZ-xy5kr]

@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch Would it be ok if I emailed you pictures of my 1985 Arnie? I am so proud of this watch.

[@MZ-xy5kr]

@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch Mr. Klein, do you have to remove the shroud before attempting to remove the case back?

[@thebronzetoo]

@@MZ-xy5kr I have an H558 (from 1989) and I'm 100% positive you don't need to take off the shroud.

[@kensurfs]

Excellent. I bought the new Arnie and it’s a great watch

[@loganjonah9575]

Dunno if you guys gives a damn but if you're stoned like me atm you can watch pretty much all of the new movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Have been binge watching with my brother lately :)

[@ariesjustice1026]

@Logan Jonah Definitely, have been using Instaflixxer for years myself :)

[@oddballlw]

Nice work! I love that QT-99 in the background there... I've never seen one of those before... I like to restore old test equipment like oscilloscopes, multimeters, etc. so now I'm going to have to add QT-99 to my saved Ebay searches!

[@adamgreene831]

Wow amazing stuff Spencer. Keep it up!

[@lsimpson50]

great restoration!

[@TheVellaterra]

A Great resto and a very tight Arnie.

[@5five6x45]

KILLER JOB LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!

[@diegorengifo6767]

Good evening, I was wondering if you could help me find the seals for the pushers? I have the Arnie with the single seal pushers. Also, I went to take the c-clips off and one went flying across the room. NO WAY to find that! Where can I get a replacement clip? Would you know the size of the clip?

[@Barnaby_bo]

How come the original watch says depth gauge on the dial? The new one doesnt

[@patoc2857]

Hi All. What is the difference between the face that says 'Water' & 'Resist' in orange with '150m' in between vs just 'Divers 150m'? It doesn't seem to be related to the 5000 vs 5009 from what I see online. Mixed.

[@johndu6323]

Hi Spencer! I lost one of the two flathead screws that hold the battery cover down on this H558 movement. I was wondering if you could tell me the size of the screw as I would like to find a replacement. Thanks!

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Super common screw. Seiko used them on everything in this time, and even back to the 1960s.

[@onefull1]

Hi Spencer. Do you do watch work for fellow KZbin friends? I’ve got a Seiko H558-5009 I purchased following my scuba certification back in 1983. I hope your answer is yes! Thanks for the great video!

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Well, yes, but also no. The only actual limitation to how many jobs come in is my ability to do them. I'm just one person. That's really it. I'm fully booked and will randomly bring in new jobs as the space opens up. Even I don't know when that might happen.

[@triggerskull]

The shroud original or aftermarket?

[@TheFamilyFunnyFarm]

I have been watching you videos , amazing I have an old h558 in need of service , would you be interested ,thank you Mick.

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Well, yes but also no. I’m still holding off on taking in any new work of any kind. I will start taking work again down the line (no idea when) but I’m taking a break from doing customer work for a bit. I do not have a wait list or any other way to get in line. I have a new person to recommend for work who is taking new customers right now, Daniel Blair of the Blair Watch Project. [e-mail]. He's a good dude, and I have gotten positive feedback from people who've sent watches to him on my recommendation.

[@edgaralexismiranda]

Nice

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Thanks!

[@PhylumFile]

Binging KZbin reviews the other day Watch The Time noted that the Seiko manual for the Arnie reissue says the digi-display has a lifespan of either 5 or 7 years (can’t recall exactly which right now) and that the unit should then be replaced “where the watch was purchased”, or words to that effect. I was intrigued by the re-issue until I heard that.

[@oddballlw]

I read that, too... I can't imagine Seiko would put something in that would only last that long... Seems strange to me. Perhaps it just falls outside their quality spec by then? Kind of like a best by date on canned goods versus an expiration date on bread? Who knows... Anyway, I have the PADI pepsi version and absolutely love it to bits otherwise, so I'll report back in 5-7 years :-D

[@thebronzetoo]

@@oddballlw Same here! I have an 87 model H558 and also the new Arnie II PADI Pepsi (SNJ027) and I LOVE it. I wore my H558 daily since I bought it in 89 (new), until I bought the new SNJ. The SNJ has so many newer/better features than the original. It's a much better watch than the original, IMO. The only bad thing about it is it being made in China instead of Japan. :(

[@russellmartin2705]

It was picking up vibration from the spin cycle.

[@WatchesAndPhotography]

Those Philips head screws are ugly as hell keeping that shroud on. Looks like some cheap hardware store mod.

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

That's what they came with so it is what it is.

[@thomasandersonparra3090]

Why you do this to watch? you damage to hem Arnie

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Pardon?

[@thebronzetoo]

@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch Pay no attention to him, he's been drinking!