This is a Seiko 6117 that I recently restored out of my projects drawers. The watch lived a hard working life, somewhere pretty humid and hot, or in proximity to the water (and dirt) for a time. When it came to me the case was indescribably filthy, with the rotating ring welded to the case with gruk and rot. As a result, there is pitting under the rotating ring, and inside the caseback. But despite that, the case lines are good, the top brushing quite decent, and the insert almost new. It’s like someone strapped it on and wore it in a tropical environment for a solid year without taking it off or cleaning it.

The original dial and hands were also damaged (hands especially) due to the crystal having been cracked. I wanted to make the watch more unique, so I replaced the dial with a genuine original one from one later model, the 6117-6400. I also swapped in the longer GMT hand from the same model so the 24-hour scale would be indicated properly. The original dial and GMT hand are included as well, so the watch can be put back to stock if desired.

While this model did come on a bracelet, this one didn’t have it, and from the looks of the undersides of the lugs, did not have it on for very long. It had the remains of a Spiedel-type expanding bracelet, a so-called OMB “Old Man Band”. I have lots of these, and if you wanted one I could include it.

• March 1969

• 6117A movement fully serviced and restored

• Movement upgraded with lower mainspring arbor jewel, upper 3rd and 4th wheel jewels.

• New mainspring installed

• NOS mainspring arbor installed

• NOS genuine Seiko hands of the correct type (curve-topped 6139 style) - these hands were sealed away for decades, and as a result they still glow. They are genuine and original, not relumed. All other lume is original as well, but doesn’t not glow nearly as much.

• NOS Seiko crystal

• NOS handset - hour, minute, sweep, GMT

• Case rebuilt with all new seals

• Case got a lot of time to clean and brighten up, with corrosion remediation by hand, cleaning agent, and ultrasonic.