The Long Lost Seiko Crown Chronograph from the 1960s

When I was a child my father took several business trips to Japan. On one of those trips he picked up this watch. He wore it every day throughout the 1970s, no matter what he was doing on that day. The watch has a lot of wear and tear on the outside but, surprisingly, it still works today. It's the Seiko Crown Chronograph, which was originally released with a connection to Seiko's contributions to the Olympic Games in 1964.
After several years when I had no idea where the watch was, I just found it a few days ago in the bottom of a cardboard box in our garage. So, here it is. The original rotating bezel is gone (broken some time in the late 1970s). The crystal is scratched and cracked. The case is worn. The original watch bracelet has been replaced with a genuine 1970s Twist-O-Flex. And here it is.

[@keithgarland3404]

Definitely worth restoring.

[@talesfromthejundlandwastes5498]

Delighted that you found it again.

[@GlobalCitizenUK]

Congratulations Greg. That watch is so special. A piece of engineering marvel and testament to Seiko’s century old capabilities. Oh Greg! I hope you don’t get caught by the Seiko bug. There’s no getting out of that. The history of dive watches, the first in so many things, the tuna shape, the willards, ao many movie references. The first quartz watch was also a Seiko. The TV watch, and so many other models, which were later worked as the inspiration for Casio and others. Good luck 😉

[@cerealfibre6938]

Cool watch, Greg.😊😊😊😊

[@bbishop2009]

Nice to see something so meaningful just waiting to be discovered.

[@timeandnourishment1961]

Its a Diashock! Given the torch on the caseback, this might have been released to coincide with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics (just read the description, so I'm Captain Obvious 😮). The missing bezel, the chronograph sweep hand and the fractioned seconds would make sense in that case. I don’t know if Speidel are still in business, but you could probably a concertina band in your size without too much trouble, along with an acrylic crystal. Good luck with the bezel, though! Hope you wear it in good health. Cheers 🍻!

[@user-kg5ls5zc7f]

For the sentimental value I would definitely take it to someone to restore it.

[@octaviussludberry9016]

You know Marshall from Wristwatch Revival or Joe the Nekkid Watchmaker here in the UK will sort it out for you.

[@mbxx2]

Thats what I was thinking too, he needs somebody who will just give it a nice clean and maybe replace the crystal, but not polish off all that history.

[@EduardoValenciaPuga]

Would be really interesting watching how you restore it

[@lulul]

the crystal is not an issue to replace but finding a bezel might be difficult. also it needs a service even if it keeps good time.

[@GoodTimekeeper]

This is the only watch I have which is both (almost) 60 years old and in this kind of condition. It's new territory for me.

[@mrsmith8436]

Marshall at wristwatch revival would love to restore that watch

[@kostaspetropoulos5213]

Hi Greg. I think it is great that you located this watch. Considering its significance to you, would you consider having it restored (p.s. answered halfway through thevideo)? I think it would make an interesting future video. Best Regards

[@OrlandoLazardi69]

At least try to get the bezel and a descent similar original bracelet

[@michaellong4813]

red dead restoration or richard perrett watchmaker. two other youtubers