Restoration of a Cave Divers Seiko Watch - Rusty 1980s Seiko Slim Turtle 6309-7290

This time I´m restoring an old Seiko divers watch from the 1980s.
It´s a Seiko Slim Turtle with the Seiko 6309 automatic movement.
The watch was worn by Nicolas, a French cave diver, on every dive for over 20 years. One day this bond broke in an accident and he turned to me to get his watch working again.
Nicolas dried the watch in a cup of rice after the accident, but the condition is beyond bad and every local watchmaker refused to repair it. The case is covered with scratches and dents, the glass is cracked and the salt water has ruined the dial, hands and movement.
I hope you liked this restoration, if so, like, comment and subscribe ;)
Subscribe to my channel:
kzbin.info...
Music:
Local Elevator by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
The Awakening by @patrickpatrikios47
Source: • The Awakening
Thanks to all my patrons and subscribers!
And especially to my gold-patron:
- Diego Macias
as well as my silver-patrons:
- Peter Oetterli
- Alessandro
- Zachary Forrest y Salazar
- John Parker
- Alfredo Lagos
- Martti Künnapas
___________________________________
Follow me on Instagram:
/ reddeadrestoration
Facebook:
/ reddeadrestoration
Patreon:
/ reddeadrestoration
___________________________________
Graffiti styled tools by Horotec SA
@horotecsa2535
Link to the shop:
horotec-custom.ch/shop/
Acrylic Glass Polishing Compound: amzn.to/2XIP8vF **
Case Polishing Diamond Paste: amzn.to/2Ye1MSo **
Case Polishing Wadding: amzn.to/2UlNfme **
Thermo-Tape: amzn.to/30YktME **
Fiber Glass Pen: amzn.to/2AQfpzi **
UV-Lamp: amzn.to/3iuOSJ8 **
UV-Glue: amzn.to/3ghGSZK **
Rodico: amzn.to/3eWtTN2 **
Multi-Purpose Watch-Repair-Kit: amzn.to/2XIQ7Mn **
Multitool: amzn.to/2BNryW9 **
Buffing Wheels for Multitool: amzn.to/30gJCSF **
My Camera: amzn.to/32er4BJ **
** Affiliate Links
Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This help support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@sirmoumou4937]

this is an resurrection operation not a restoration not a rescue bravo

[@MtZion-fl7gp]

I think you understood what he was doing.. understanding is more effective, that kind of comment is very old in all kinds of such views

[@GuitarGuy650]

​@@MtZion-fl7gp...what? 😂

[@oliverprstholm8716]

This guy is not a Watchmaker, hes a necromancer

[@groove9899]

Dude has a desktop flux capacitor in his basement.... I love it

[@JamieBainbridge]

Speaks volumes to the quality of the parts. 35 years old and drenched in seawater. Still keeps time perfectly.

[@1SaG]

He really wasn't kidding when he put the term "Dead" into his channel title. I mean ... that poor old Seiko looked like it was way beyond saving. Awesome work!

[@MrHardhatharry]

BRAVO! I believe this may be the best restoration yet. Your skills are amazing.

[@RadekW-]

Skills of course. But the most importand are many, many machines and tools. In total, very expesnsive. A single ELMA poler machine is so expensive .

[@The_Beast_666]

@@RadekW-You mean like a 1000 bucks?

[@philipbrailey]

It’s amazing how the face changes so well.

[@Emmepi37]

The Flux Capacitor always kills me.🤣🤣🤣

[@Robert-vw3od]

Watching this again and it’s even better second time around, lot of people who are very good at watch restoration would not have bothered with that sekio in that state, your presentation the engineering the care and effort in bringing it back to life is an absolute joy to behold. whoever owns that watch now will be as proud of owning it because you restored it as any Rolex owner could ever be on the day they walked out of the shop.

[@danspencer4235]

Most satisfying spring bar removal I have ever seen.

[@AntonioMartinez-tt7ud]

Your restorations are amazing!!!!. Those watches are death, but you can return them to the life!!!!. Thank you for making this videos. I enjoy them a lot. 👍👍👍

[@rodvickery9169]

One of the most impresive watch restorations I've seen. This Seiko was destroyed.

[@adityasundar324]

I never have the patience to watch a 20+ minute watch restoration video, but man oh man! I was glued onto the screen for the entire 21 minutes and it was worth every second!

[@predragjo5977]

This guys right there is the reason I love automatic watches. :) This completely destroyed watch was restored to its full glory with only new dial, hands and bezel insert.

[@JD68]

Unbelievable! I know, this is only your "Hobby". You are not a Professional. You are Better, you are an Artist, a Magician. Unbelievable!😮👍

[@Labr1nth]

Friday afternoon, work got me stressed out my box! 20 mins watching your video and I'm nice and relaxed again. You never cease to amaze me with these restorations. That was incredible how you pretty much brought that watch back from the grave. Please keep doing what you are doing, these videos are amazing and whilst I'd never manage to replicate what you do, you are very inspiring. Thank you!!

[@RedDeadRestoration]

Thanks 😊

[@afandirahmat8194]

Yes I believe your video has therapeutical effect as well.

[@_guillermo]

Would’ve been cool if you kept the same dial and/or hands to keep the character of its previous life

[@hijikatasan]

old spring still hits 0s/day, crazy !

[@timhuang9430]

Seiko Co. should buy this restored watch and your video so to place them in her historical timepieces museum

[@jugsxrfull]

If you live near Geneva, I would have begged you to work with you. What a hardcore restoration

[@Georgealex77]

This is why I love watches so much. Years under dirt and it can still be restored but the most fascinating aspect of it is that it holds so much value with its longevity and history behind it, one of the few items that can last you a lifetime in this world, invest in a good one and you will never lose.

[@Vernomeno]

I love the Seiko divers, especially the 6309 and 7002! The movement here didn't look as bad as I thought it would. Great work as always!

[@janzojanzo9059]

It would have been easier if he placed the whole watch on the flux capacitor, but that kind of video wouldn't be as satisfying as this. 😊😁😆

[@lancenutter1067]

I had one of those in 1983. Left it on a picnic table in upper British Columbia, when I camped there for the night. Dang it…

[@Mike-rm1vw]

I wondered… Maybe this time you should have thrown it into the skip. Nope!!! Amazing resto 👍👍👍

[@humanbeing1675]

Tolle Arbeit. Wie immer. Macht es immer noch interessanter, wenn es eine Hintergrundgeschichte dazu gibt.

[@ew332]

The best looking dive watches ever made.. Bar none

[@racamon]

Nicely done. I would keep the original dial, with some scars if possible. That is only my preference, since I would want to keep marks that accident made.

[@user-to9ux9tj8r]

The discipline, precision and attention to detail you display with every restoration is a joy to behold. 🖤

[@spybot6697]

Absolutely amazing transformation! I bet the owner was pleased beyond belief! 👍

[@seekinalias]

Да какой владелец, никто такое уже восстанавливать не будет, слишком дорого. Более того это только для видео, так как с разбитым стеклом, при такой коррозии корпуса а подвижный маятник механизма это чудо))). И сам механизм свежий. Там бы все закисло и покрылось кораллами, как и снаружи. Так что это шоу не более

[@GardenGuy1943]

This video made me incredibly angry. Watches are like people, and we shouldn’t play with them when they are meant to die. This video is a disgrace to the Seiko watch brand.

[@pofrof4910]

@@GardenGuy1943

[@willemp6432]

My best friend has one of those. He has so much money and can buy any thing he wants but he loves that watch and it`s the only one he wears. I can understand that. Oh, by the way. we are not young anymore. Great job.

[@Mighty-Man]

​@@seekinaliasрусский, брысь под шконку. Вы до сих пор гордитесь выдуманным мастером Левшой, который подковал механическую блоху. Но даже в вашей сказке описано, что блоха могла танцевать. А после того, как Левша сунул к ней свои кривые руки, она танцевать перестала. Левша сломал уникальную чужую вещь ради понтов. Потому что русские - всегда криворукие ...

[@andrewmurton8379]

A great watch with such a wonderful personal history restored to perfection and ready to have many more years of use, who doesn’t love the SKX.

[@jeffreyalbarandorivera9750]

So far this is the best restoration of seiko slim case turtle 6309 divers. Case buffed but not excessive..the buffing procedure is at it's best revealing the hair line and shiny parts as it should..THE BEST.

[@RedDeadRestoration]

Thanks, was a lot of work 👍

[@dellwright1407]

Good to see the Flux Capacitor still working well.... really made a remarkable difference to the dial, hands and bezel insert. 🙂

[@pradityapraditya5987]

That is how you rebuild a fossil ... An expert with his gadget and colorful socks 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@dost328]

Well used well served watch. Seen it all... I wouldn't wear it while diving after this masterful restoration. ❤ But that's me 😊

[@Gho5tWr1ter]

Damn! It just ain’t the restoration skills I am amazed of! Great editing!!

[@Ryuza_R]

I don’t know watch repairers have a time machine😂 Now I know why they can cleanup the inner watch Great content I found this so satisfying to watch

[@stephenhorsley668]

I bet the first thing the owner said was, "Is this MY watch?!". It's absolutely incredible. Had it not been for your awesome video, it would be hard to believe it was. Wow, 10/10.

[@nicholasdavies6264]

One word only ...... WOW !

[@Miguel_ON65]

Definitely you are the Master. I can not believe that you can do. No words. Congratulations. I have a watch like this but a 2022 version and I am happy with it. Thank you for sharing your videa.

[@Cafe-nw6ct]

We need a Red Dead Restoration in each village!! 🙂. Bravisimo!!!!

[@mehpekmezci]

If you don't know how do you repair or restoration, after deassemble the watch, the scene looks like a nightmare. That is why you do and we watch. :D The watch found a new life with you.

[@lucashipkins]

Wow! It's almost impossible to believe it's the same watch. You are a magician. Thanks for sharing.

[@ruzvild81]

It’s gift from heaven, that people like you exist 😊

[@talldave1000]

At first look, I didn't think it could be done, but you did it! Fantastic job.

[@javierlopezruiz7300]

The fact that a man can be so skilled to restore a pretty much dead watch just blows my mind

[@andy86i]

That dial could’ve been a really cool tropical dial. Had a nice patina.

[@eddiejones.redvees]

You can see the passion that you put into your work bringing back great watch’s back to life

[@Timesradical]

So much effort to do this work and make a video of it at the same time with this quality

[@sgtpluck8344]

Another RD triumph. Awesome work. There was a shit ton of gaskets on that model.

[@friedrichwilhelmvonsteuben7952]

Love the retro polishing montage

[@arxaer]

Love the Flux Capacitor!😄

[@nyihtway]

I liked every part of the video except the new dial. I'd just clean up the dial and put it back. It just got so many stories to tell. Every time someone look at it, it will tell how many years it spent in the grave of the ocean and come back out of it alive.

[@triplex86]

Wow, that watch looked like scrap. Just plain scrap and nothing more. To see it brought back was amazing - one of the best videos that I think you have done. I've realised why - the worse that the watch is to start, the more awe-inspiring the final reveal becomes. Thank you.

[@odiesclips7621]

Just fascinating!! The entire process, including the videography. Thank you for this!❤

[@s.powell335]

You are truly amazing at your craft! Great job bring that watch back to life. A true pleasure to observe you at work.

[@josemanuelcastillo7460]

Que hermosura la reparación espectacular es un genio Dios te bendiga excelente trabajo.exitos mí hermano.

[@gstyle5482]

This is a true testament to, a craftsman with the correct knowledge and tools, equals a job well done. Amazing! Great video.

[@watchluver]

Phenomenal job as usual, but why in the world would he want all of that wonderful patina to be removed from the case and case-back? patina = memories and enjoyment IMO

[@DekkerExpat]

I agree, I much prefer when the old watches are just repaired so they can still show that they have lived and have history, even with a destroyed dial. Here it just looks like a new watch, I don’t see the point.

[@julianrowland9079]

IMO Patina is a euphemism for ugly. Sorry its a metal case wristwatch, and the only story it told was it was absolutely buggered. Now restored to its former glory.

[@watchluver]

@@julianrowland9079 With that logic, why bother with the restoration? Just throw it in the trash and get a brand new one.

[@MusicAllStar]

I hope someone at Seiko is watching this to see what kind of craftsman restored their watch. Seiko give this perfect man a job.

[@fockerykena4714]

Alter Schwede, wäre so froh jemand bekäme meine 6309 wieder hin und dann sehe ich das... Unfassbar! Toll inszeniert und keine Minute Zuviel.

[@josephseidel489]

This was like watching Tiger Woods at the top of his game. Almost too brilliant to comprehend. The care, precision... simply amazing.

[@sv_sreehari]

Your restorations are worth watching.I never did skip any part and I love to see every videos till the last second.❤

[@F3tz1]

Gestern noch ein altes Video geschaut und mich gefragt: wann kommt endlich mal ein neues? Vielen lieben Dank für das Erhören meiner Gedanken 😘 Und wie immer: super Arbeite, bitte weiter so 😁

[@user-zv4od3uf6b]

I thought that was impossible but in a few min i relase that u have the best skill. Amazing

[@conscience-commenter]

Clearly a breach of water seal causing the rusting of the hands and other issues . That was one well used dive watch . Fantastic job .

[@ianc4901]

At first sight I thought that was beyond repair and I expected you to have to replace most of the parts ! I was astonished at how few parts needed to be bought for this restoration !

[@Verrucca00]

Amazing as always, although, I skipped the time travel sequence… anyway, you’re one of my absolute favorites, because I love to see a complete, good-as-new restoration. Also, I really enjoy your vast array of tools, and your amazing socks! Thanks so much! Looking forward to the next one!

[@geoffquickfall]

A Bic ball point pen has the perfect bezel spring ball. Find an old pen, clip out the ball from the ball point and, voila, new bezel click ball. Nice job!

[@c.r.chandler5905]

Pardon the pun that you brought that watch back from the deep depths of the abyss. Incredible work, I'm sure the owner was pleased.

[@vikinho62oficial]

Incrível,simplesmente incrível, magnífico parabéns linda recuperação do seyko

[@paquitopoejr2402]

Both are same legendary The watch and the restorator!!

[@Alex-px2mb]

Truly a labor of love. That watch would have been thrown away by so many people and the results are amazing.

[@robertlassiter907]

Bravo! Well done. I’ve noticed that you’ve added some new tools and gadgets to your arsenal. Nice.

[@jatco84]

Fabulous restoration of what looked like a dead and forgotten timepiece. You did a fantastic job of bringing that one back to life. Excellent word and superb results. Kudos once again...!

[@pgsahlman]

Not only is it pleasure to see you restore that marvelous Seiko Diver, the 60's inspired video montage in the middle of the video was awesome!

[@bjw4859]

I still have to watch this with headphones on to enjoy it the most, well done.

[@ciscco3750]

По сути, от часов остался только корпус и ротор автоподзавода. Но и при этом работы столько, сколько хватило бы на новые. =) Обалдеть, сколько терпения, я б так не смог.

[@nikolaykechin6079]

в чем очень сомневаюсь т.к. после шлифовки не одно кольцо на место не сядет

[@chriskeiser5809]

I probably would have taken this as an opportunity to swap to an NH36 movement, but that was amazing work.

[@mohsenmoeen5036]

I would rather let this one Rest In Peace and buy a new watch. A Seiko in this condition did not worth the time and effort, unless the aim is to practice and make a video

[@josemanuelcastillo7460]

Es un sentimiento el reloj estaba destruido luego a ser rescatado llegó en buenas manos fue restaurado construido Nuevo volvió a la vida un reloj Seiko nuevo bravo excelente trabajo realizado el relojero maravilloso felicitaciones éxitos mi hermano Dios te bendiga.

[@kennethjanczak4900]

My daughter...... Naomi 4 years old, loves your vids, but is SO IMPRESSED with your time machine..... So we started building oure oure own timemachine.... Then naomi can travel back and forward in time, and give good rewievs on candies and toys to come.... And aleart dad on future tools that will come out on the market.. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and share it..

[@josedurbano2730]

Honestly, this is one of your best videos. Amazing job. Beautiful watch.

[@mrdmahesh]

The Masterpiece Restoration from the Master!!

[@andersonstmoficial6431]

No lost cause with this guy, brilliantly well done sir!

[@bizjetfixr8352]

It's not only the restoration. It's the owners loyalty to a piece of equipment that has put in 30-40 years of service and stories.

[@KalashnikIlya]

Это потрясающе. Каждый раз смотрю и восторгаюсь! Это правда круто!

[@setter55]

Fantastic work, I own several of these slim case 6309's. One being a pretty good condition all original. The other though has been modified with aftermarket parts to Pepsi A spec. Seems incredibly hard to find original dials, chapter rings, hands and bezel inserts.

[@germaneiro]

I've been watching your work for almost 1 year. And i don't even know how a watch works 😅. But this videos are AMAZING.

[@kc4cvh]

I'm delighted to learn that both the diver and the watch survived.

[@pgsahlman]

I just love that time machine! Great work as usual!!!

[@Jorj57]

stellar restoration work as usual mate! although personally i wouldn't gonna polish, replace the dial, bezel insert, and the handsets if that watch is mine (sentimental value). but hey, at least it can be used for another diving mission again just like the ol' days 😉

[@simonacuthbert1]

I think I've just stopped breathing for twenty minutes...fantastic

[@pacovl46]

That movement looked infinitely better than what I was expecting! 🙂

[@mikeschleibert8132]

Everything is perfect in your channel. Keep it up

[@memati1110]

WOW this is amazing!!! This is one of the best restorations, if not the best!

[@plunder1956]

Considering the environment that watch was smashed in, it survived rather well. I have a friend involved with cave exploration and training, Even he considers cave diving to be a VERY dangerous end of it.

[@pablorages1241]

Daym ... someone took a sledgehammer to it !

[@pastfinderfrank]

Perfection as per usual. Bravo and thank you for another film!

[@nunosantos5376]

As always, great restoration and great editing. This is one of does where i was whising you could have kept the original dial.

[@Dani_-ec4is]

Lots of tech (🎉) and good work 👍🏻.

[@richards5593]

My god, What skills do you have. Fantastic work, keep it up.

[@alfredocaracaschavareto3953]

Magnífico a transformação 👏👏👏