Arriving in good cosmetic condition, and with all it’s original lume intact, this Navigator Timer had potential right from the start. Although, it was missing it’s bezel…
(Click pictures to enlarge)
The calibre in this watch is the 6117B which was introduced in 1968, and is basically a 6105 calibre with an added GMT function. As well as being used in all of Seiko’s Navigator Timer models, it was also used in the second generation World Time watches, replacing the 6217A movement found in the first generation models.
On removing the dial I was expecting to see a fixed pinion attached to the minute wheel, just like the 6217A, but no, on this calibre the extra pinion is placed on top of the intermediate date wheel. This means that the 24hr wheel is now in sync with the date mechanism, which probably makes more sense, as they both need to rotate once per day.
After tracking down a replacement bezel, I was ready to get started, and with no major problems to fix, a movement service, a polish for the crystal and some refinishing on the case quickly got this one back up to spec…
If you are unaware how this watch works, the internal bezel can be used to track the time in a second time zone. The red (GMT) hand rotates once around the dial in 24 hours and the internal bezel, which is marked in hourly increments, can be rotated using the crown.
Let’s say that I’m currently in London and I want to keep track of the time in Los Angeles, which is eight hours behind. To do this I simply rotate the inner bezel 8 markers anti-clockwise so that ’16’ marker on the inner bezel is opposite the 12 hour marker on the dial. The GMT hand now always points to the current time in Los Angeles. So, you can see in the following example that as it’s almost 4pm in London, it’s nearing 8am in Los Angeles….
It’s also easy to tell at a glance whether it is day or night in the second time zone, as the red portion of the bezel signifies daylight hours, and the blue portion night time hours.
Rich.
I have my fathers watch, he owned it since he bought it in the 70’s. still works and he wore it every day
In 1998, I came across a Seiko Navigator 6117-6410. It was a new old stock, displayed at the corner of the cabinet. It was unnoticed. I bargained with the shop owner and he sold to me. He sold a few pieces of 6117, but this was kept in the store for 10years. This is the last piece and had to be sold. I was lucky. Watch sellers are only interested to do business. Watch collectors know more than them. But the bracelet was not ori. Had it until now, two years ago I saw on a Bangkok website, a used ori bracelet was foe sale. After some bargaining, I bought it, bot not cheap. About the same price for what I paid for the watch. And now everything is ori. I have seen on the website and EBay, those for sale are asking for $3-500. But on picture, condition no where near mine. I will keep it for a long long time.
I have bought for friends on the EBay, this model, but some, the inner rotating bezel will not turn, being a 40 year old watch, parts are hard to come by.
Tks
Tan GH from Malaysia.
Let me start off by commending you on the wonderful work you’ve done on some of the vintage Seiko watches I’ve seen posted on your blog. I personally collect and rejuvenate old wristwatches such by Gruen, Elgin and Waltham as a hobby. Recently, I have been interested in automatics, but just haven’t had the extra time to acquire any.
I lucked out approximately a week ago at a local thrift store. I spied a odd cased watch face down on a bottom display case. It was attached to an old expansion bracelet with a perpetual calendar. Upon further inspection, this was was a Seiko Navigator Timer 6117-6410 with this horrid 15mm band. The crystal was mildly scratched and the case showed minimal wear… but it had perfect lumen, no fading to the dial and it started right up with a few flicks of the wrist. It has kept excellent time for over a week without ever stopping! It was purchased for a song and dance!
I’ve polished the crystal, lightly polished the case (will restore to the original mirror finish later) and replaced the watch strap with a Hirsch Grand Duke black calf skin strap with red stitching, which compliments the color scheme of the watch nicely. It certainly is a looker now and easily has become one of my favorite watches to wear!
I would like to replace the gaskets, but cannot find an online reference to the actual size gaskets used… only the part numbers from a reputable online watch parts vendor. Do you know of any such resource and if so, I thank you for your assistance in advance.
Thanks again and I look forward to future blogs!
Tony
I just aquired this Seiko Navigator Timer from a friend who used it when he flew many years ago. I think its really sharp and plan to get it back in working order. It seems to run but stops awhile after taking it off. Another Seiko I got had the same problem and it was the mainspring.