A 1960s Seiko Sportsmatic Watch - Restoration & Repair - 7625A

[@WatchRepairChannel]

👉 Free Recommended Oils Document: In the files section... facebook.com/groups/watchrepairlessons/ 👈 Join me as I restore this extremely rough looking Vintage 1960s Seiko Sportsmatic Watch - A 7625A Movement based watch made whole again.

[@gazza2390]

Do you sell watches?

[@cscwatches7219]

Great video and amazing restoration. BRAVO!!

[@lecinquiemeroimage]

Subtitles, please. Thanks a lot.

[@kamalhossainkd6066]

Kamalhossainkd

[@JoachimderZweite]

I really love my automatic Seiko. I got it on sale 20 years ago for $35.00 (thirty five) and it has been faithfully ticking away ever since. It keeps good time and I have treated it well and it has never been serviced. My dad had a local watch he bought in Austria before WW2. It had been made by an unknown Jewish watchmaker and it has lasted almost 100 years (I am very old) and my sister has it now and it is still ticking away. My dad said the watchmaker was killed in the Holocaust so I am glad some part of that unknown man still survives. So it goes. .

[@Daud76]

A watch with a history is always interesting, which is why I prefer used second hand watches, which I restore too. But my skillty is all with vintage LCD and not mechanical and far less automatic. 😉

[@deanagoes2791]

@@Daud76 i love digital watch 😘

[@237KMT]

A nod to Vonnegut. Nice.

[@polduseri909]

I spent 46 minutes watching this video and it was worth every second. Time it’s very important and a good watch like this old Seiko give more value to it. Thanks a lot!

[@propetamckissack524]

You did it again restored the precious time piece you did an Awesome job on this one

[@terencewelsh6708]

TJW I have three Seiko's and a Full Auto Orient which is basically a 7625A Movement. The two Sportsmatics were bought in Singapore and Thailand 63 - 65, The Full Auto Orient was purchased in Malacca, Malaya in 1968. The Orient King Diver is at the moment under repair ( Balance spring replacement) this video will no doubt be of enormous help. Thank you,

[@peytuhr]

Thank you for one of the most enjoyable videos on YT to me. I've got one of these Sportsmatics, from the exact same year, but in a different colour scheme (black dial, steel case, rather modern, pretty!). My father used it daily and after he died I got the watch. It was beat up and had a cracked crystal but it was ticking away merrily. I had it serviced and restored and it now has been my dress watch for some thirty years. Keeping good time and stylish as anything. It shocks me to realise that it is 56 years old and still going strong. A word of advice to people having neglected examples of these lying around (and there are many!): Allthough service or restoration will cost you more than the watch when it was new, these Seikos are worth it. There is something special about a vintage mechanical watch on your wrist.

[@johnsrabe]

A really beautiful watch, lovingly restored. I love the satin brushed gold color; so classy. The design of this watch really is elegant and understated. No junk.

[@EvilUnderTone]

I wear a 7625-8031 as my everyday watch. Just love it's classic lines. It keeps absolutely amazing time. I have it running a perfect beat with no error. I honestly have not adjusted the time in about a month now. Great movement when correctly setup. Easier on the later 7625 with the "D" version of the movement. It's just you can adjust the beat without repinning the hairspring unlike the "A" version in your video. For folk new to watchmaking try using brass tweezers as they do less damage if they slip especially on dials. I make my own. All you need is a hammer, a drill a file or two and a vice.

[@EvilUnderTone]

That mainspring barrel and arbour looked like they had done a few hours work. I'm lucky in that I have a lot of old Seiko NOS parts squirreled away.

[@alvin_adiwira]

What a beautiful watch. It's great seeing it being restored to it's glory..

[@michaeljasminestewart1618]

My absolute favourite channel. Thank you for all the work and effort you put into these. I know they take a lot of work and mountains of hours to put together. Simply just an awesome job. Thank you so much !

[@johnmiller9695]

Love your videos... I watch at 2x and it is still so soothing... I bought my first automatic watch after watching your videos.. keep up the great work.

[@davepost7675]

I too watch at 2x speed.

[@-webfootoctopus7896]

@@davepost7675 correct english: I watch it at 2x too

[@redamehdihassan1113]

A beautiful and extremely wonderful display. I wish you permanent happiness, success and progress in your wonderful work. Health and safety to all of you with the utmost thanks and respect. Greetings.

[@johnburton9156]

Beautiful watch and excellent workmanship

[@royowens6427]

Beautiful job..I really enjoyed watching .. Thanks for sharing your talent..great lesson for novice watchmakers..I will definitely watch again.

[@bbowling4979]

Beautiful restoration and servicing. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

[@kristinaodea2074]

Love your channel which I discovered during COVID-19 self quarantine. I find watching is very calming. Thanks again.

[@jbbrabant]

You are amazing, I’ve watched from beginning to end. So relaxing! I’m in awe of your skill, talent & patience. Thank you Mark

[@timeandnourishment1961]

Absolutely beautiful, as always, especially when bringing a fairly unexceptional watch back to life. I love the music, too . Thanks very much. You and yours stay well!

[@briansquibb999]

Beautifully done. And thank you for describing the parts you are assembling. That really helps me understand . My dad had a Sportsmatic. I wish I had inherited it. A classy watch. Thank you!

[@ahmeto.513]

Excellent work, thank you for letting us watch this.

[@ayannath26]

I had some watch like my father's Citizens, HMT, some Casio, Timex and a Titan now I see the time in my mobile but after watching your channel hour after hour I fell in love with my watches again. Lovely videos and waiting for the updates.

[@pieter798]

Very interesting video thank you, it always relax me 👍 btw according the serial number the watch is from June 1966.

[@tysoney12]

How did you find that?

[@nakazatotakeshi4286]

@@tysoney12 Seiko date finder, you can search on Google

[@mrwaynedavies8059]

You have the patient’s of a saint love watching your details to finish

[@joaobatistagomes9972]

I'm Brazilian and I love watches!

[@vlin2199999]

Beautiful watch! Beautiful work! Thanks.

[@1pilotsteve]

absolutely awesome.. you are such a master...I cant believe how many speciality tools a watchmaker uses.. great video..thank you.

[@gilliebrand]

The 7625 movement is underrated in my opinion, I own a couple of these watches and I love them. A classic Seiko case and movement.

[@cscwatches7219]

I have a couple of 7619 and they perform great too

[@dirk4926]

Very satisfying to see this watch being resurrected from the dead. Great video once again, interesting and relaxing...thank you.

[@antonioazevedoneto5512]

Awesome video, congratulations! I have a 7625-7003 from 1968 and it still runs very well and precisely, I really love those Seikos, from 60’s.

[@roaaaar]

I'm not usualy attracted by "gold" looking watches, but this one, felt in love immediatly. its elegance, simplicity and atyle are noteworthy.

[@ichi210]

Sir, thank you very much. As always very interesting video. I have just finished working on Seiko 5 automatic 17 jewels and I can say that your videos about Seiko watch movements helped me a lot.

[@fostexfan160]

Magnificent craftsmanship

[@csttd1126]

Hello,I am fine watch specialist and I love what you are doing and even in this hard times is a joy just to watch you working

[@soussamnang1538]

Beautiful work !!!...Best wishes to you!

[@jorgem8384]

truly appreciate your dedication to fix great watches that otherwise would be in the trash.

[@olejohanpalsrud6896]

Great video. I just love this old Seiko watches, well built and easy to work on I think.

[@ÐÞæ]

Amazing restoration once again, Mark! It is really a pleasure to watch your videos. They're so well put together and a delight to watch.

[@BeckVMH]

Very nice. Case looks great. I’ve watched so many of these and never ceases to amaze me how you or any watchmaker can keep these parts in order. And make manipulating these parts look so easy. Thanks Mark for your work and posts.

[@dennisgannon]

Very relaxing, good music. It is amazing how many parts there are for something so small. And the tiny screws! There should be a movie with this in it as a suspense.. Unshakeable hands and fingers, great touch. Yeah, gotta get these skills in a movie.

[@michaelskinner896]

Great soothing music - and such steady hands! Nicely done. Not my style of band, but of course that's the owner's choice. It appeared that there where some pretty heavy hands working on the movement in the past. So many deep scratches.

[@1SaG]

Informative *and* relaxing as usual. And that Seiko really reminds me of a Citizen I found a few weeks ago in a box with stuff from my granddad. Same fake gold-look, same weird type of bracelet. It's still amazing to me that such a beat-up, neglected watch can look this "good" on the inside and can still be resurrected by a skilled craftsman. If only everything in this world could be fixed this "easily" ... :)

[@jatco84]

A great restoration job on that Seiko as with pretty much all your work. Looks greats...even with the old Flexi bracelet. Kudos

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Lovely to bring such an abused watch back to near pristine conditions and running better than when it left the factory 👍🏻

[@dennisc.1189]

That is a beautiful watch after Mark put his special touch on it. Great work there Mark, once again.

[@thinkharder2028]

You asked what i think? I think I would like you to overhaul my entire collection! Now Im off to the shop to get that winning lottery ticket! Always a pleasure watching competence in action with these videos!

[@davechandler6884]

Excellent job of buffing the scratch out of the glass. ;-)

[@garysmith7545]

Well Mark, this video tipped me over into subscribing for the level 2 course you offer. I'm really getting value from the WRT message board and I'm looking forward to working through a movement with your course.

[@Kriti98]

Thank you for such a beautiful restoration video. I may be addicted.

[@dodgydruid]

Watching this as I am admiring my first Alba for the collection, which is now on wrist and looking tres cool, I have a few of these rebadged Seiko's like Lorus, Epson which is basically a 7T92 chrono with a Epson branded dial and many Sii's as well as my two 7009's.

[@smeege707]

Awesome skills! I am amazed at your knowledge and patience. Very interesting and satisfying to watch - no pun!

[@KRColson]

Another amazing job! You are truly a master of your craft. Thank you!

[@jeffreyyu7195]

Very elegant Seiko watch

[@peters7894]

Once again Mark impressed me beyond words. Thank you for allowing us to experience your mastery at work

[@LobsterRavioli]

Another amazing video! I love the fact you work on so many affordable pieces.

[@Trpanek]

Next level. Somewhere up there, Kintaro Hattori is nodding and smiling in approval.

[@cashau2965]

....another "resurrection" by Marc.....you're definitely the best

[@tripsadelica]

Just beautiful work...brilliant! I wish I had your skills!

[@thomashendrick7294]

Wonderful to see, a "raising" of this extent. For me a unique experience, though I have heard that at least generally speaking movement accuracy is all in the hands of the Watchsmith...but well, I realize now that I had all ways been assuming that the 7s26 movement was too incapable of the highest order of accuracy, though celebrated for it's other virtuous characteristics. Some Zen, beautiful, a wonderful result, at least for me, a non-watchsmith guy. Thank you.

[@tristanbergh8655]

Great vieeo thanks! I enjoy the work in real time. It gives a great sense of peace.

[@thegrassyknoll7792]

Nice work ! I have always enjoyed to work on a Seiko movement, they are well built ,made to be used, quite simple, and real workhorses, cant wait for your next upload !

[@smrity8520]

I love the way you make this time piece

[@jb6027]

Wow, it looks like a new watch! At some point, could you please demonstrate how you clean up an old pitted watch case? Thanks for another video. I enjoy them very. much.

[@bradryan8071]

A practical question if you will? Given your expertise and ability to repair watches such as you do, would this Seiko fully restored as you have done be worth the fee that you would charge to bring it into this state? Otherwise, would a person restore a watch only for the sentimental value that it has to them, if the watch was not a high end watch? Love watching you work, very calming !!

[@jonuca]

It's great the job you are doing with these watches.

[@Chipchase780]

It still amazes me that these marvellous little machines with so many intricate and complex parts which are necessarily produced to such high tolerances can be mass produced in vast numbers, yet give years and years of accurate reliable service often without any or little maintenance. I would much rather have one of these superb automatics on my wrist - which I do - than some soulless quartz thing.

[@ColinPrince]

Brilliant work of art.

[@axelgs11]

Perfect such a difference after skill, cleaning and patience 👍

[@kellypaws]

It’s always nice to see another one of your videos. But being really weird, it’s even more pleasant to see that it’s a Seiko!

[@kevgermany]

Lovely job. Mist would have written it off. Might be crazy but my favourite part of all these videos is the lovely artistic layout you do if the parts.

[@djokopras2582]

Thank you for the video. I watched it from the start to the end, and enjoyed it so much

[@phoenixrising4573]

Watching you lubricate one of these is fascinating, how precise and tiny amount will last for so long

[@joeskeptical4762]

Beautiful job, another watch *I'd be proud to wear* Well done, Mark!

[@tota6378]

so gorgeous I like very much the old watches and I wish to learn how to repair them

[@atyourserviceable]

I watched this video of yours in total amazement,I have a very good mechanical mind but for the life of me I have no clue as to how you remember every part and its location. It is safe to say sir you are a master in your trade and I salute you

[@gultekincim6286]

Excellent repair

[@olivier8039]

Beautiful and very instructive for me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge !

[@nelsonjoaquim5918]

Another great video. Surely there are better movements than others, but for me they all look beautiful. Keep it up. Many thanks for sharing

[@urmenyi]

Work of pure art

[@TheGeezzer]

Beautiful back to excellent condition restoration of a wrecked and dirty old Seiko. Seikos are generally bullet-proof and can go on forever, especially after being in your expert care. 💯

[@colinlovell5466]

As a new arrival to watch servicing, the servicing of the Seiko automatic was fantastic, I don't think I will ever get to he moment when I can strip, clean, inspect and rebuild. But as they say, Rome wasn't built in one day

[@alexanderlopez1812]

I'm fascinated by this old style reminds me of my father ❤💪

[@frankbiz]

Looks amazing. Great work! 👍🏻

[@vincentdoran1148]

Wonderful restoration!

[@nathanrice3890]

I could disassemble a watch like this but I could never get it back together again.

[@thegrassyknoll7792]

Its all abot Practice (and the right tools) 👍🏻🤠

[@MrMadvillan]

same. i wonder tho about recording the disassemble?

[@shengfeng1122]

Nathan Rice you can

[@marcopolo765]

Thats why rewind button are invented...

[@pablorosales1149]

Take pictures of desassembling and the way inverse by assembling again

[@kellypaws]

Typical Seiko. Looks like it’s been run over by a car. Still running pretty well. They’re just a cut above.

[@florin604]

Peopl,e ask my why I brutally handle my watch like that? i tell them it's a Seiko... I will break my arm before I break the watch.

[@Driftmonkey]

Love how when you drop the balance wheel down and the watch just springs into life, made me laugh, how wonderful.

[@Robin6512]

Beautiful repair!

[@hans5016]

Thanks for sharing! Could you explain how you repaired the gold plating of the housing?

[@ianmcfadden5450]

Another fantastic job!

[@windward2818]

From a Mechanical Engineering standpoint it is really amazing how there is seemingly no appreciable mechanical wear or fatigue owing to the low forces involved in the mechanical gear trains and functions of this old watch. This is interesting in the use of materials in the construction of mechanical machines where forces relative to material tensile strength and toughness are relatively low. So, it is conceivable that with the proper application of machine components you should be able to make a mechanical human hand with much the same low wear characteristics and complicated dexterity, or mimic complex movement like a spider walking through mostly mechanical means. Perhaps if the need was there we would see more swiss mechanical hands and spider-like walking toys. From a wear standpoint (friction) it seems odd that you would still lubricate a rigid metal pin to a glass (jewel) molded surface, as shown in the video. One may argue that the lubricant actually adds more drag on an inherently low friction pivot point which is specially shaped in regards to the mating surface area. On some of the gears it would be beneficial if there where cutouts (one gear on top of another) which would allow easy inspection of the gear mating during assembly. In working on very small embedded electronics you will find very small structures (components) that need to be located and soldered at specific locations in the circuit. For high end visualization you may find on a specific task to have multiple cameras focused on different important areas of the work to provide simultaneous views of the assemble as it is being worked on. The camera output is usually fed through a PC to be displayed on two large monitors, enabling the technician to see multiple views at the same time without uncomfortable contortions of the body and head. If we extend this thinking to watch repair, you could for example, when installing hands show a close-up of the hand mount point from the top for centering and another looking at the hands position relative to the watch face (parallel) and the hands mounting point distance from the face on the mounting pin or cylinder (sleeve).

[@traviswalker8933]

Superb restoration.

[@ADudeAndHisWatches]

Love your videos...Slowly working my way through your courses :) Learned a ton already, but I am old and thick so it is taking some time.

[@BayTour08]

Given his knowledge of the movement itself and each individual part, he is absolutely no different than a surgeon. Except the paycheck I’m sure.

[@Luudite]

heh, different sort of outcome at stake there though

[@kalataimaksim]

Я ремонтирую автомобили, но ремонт часов это просто волшебство!!! это восхетительная работа!

[@mickyjb2003]

Excellent job done. Thanks.

[@jasongrime2891]

Love these restoration videos. Looks great.

[@brianrusso8018]

I have always wondered if watch makers use any specific torque specs when tightening screws, and if so, is there a mini torque driver tool for that?

[@henrycollins2478]

Love your videos! Keep up the amazing work

[@fredericprodeo5733]

Like always, a great pleasure to watch your work. Thanks a lot.

[@TurkeyJoe]

Lovely work, looking forward to restoring one much the same in the near future! :)