Any Seiko watch enthusiasts here ?

[Seiko7A38]

If so, please could anyone recommend a Thai watch forum (that translates into English easily).

Sawasdee Krup.

Hi. First 'dumb newbie' post (on this forum, at least).

My name's Paul - I live in south-west England, though I've been to Thailand a good few times - even had a Thai wife at one time (but that's another long story).

I run a small watch forum myself, catering for enthusiasts of the 15 jewel Seiko 7A38 quartz chronograph.

It has over 350 members, but unfortunately none from Thailand.

To cut to the chase ....

I'm trying to source some alternative parts (replacements for obsolete NLA glass crystals) for these watches.

I've found a company in Bangkok: http://www.khhwatch.com/sites/contact_us_en.html

who may actually have exactly what I'm looking for.

Problem is they simply don't respond to my emails.

So I've started looking at other ways to contact them (or find someone willing to help source these parts).

I found a Thai watch forum this morning: << Link to another forum removed >>

I've managed to register on there, but it's predominantly in Thai and Google seems very reluctant to translate it. It also appears to be very much tied into their business.

Any suggestions please ?

[Seiko7A38]

Sorry - that wasn't intended as spamming (at all) - honestly.

I just included a link to a Thai watch forum (of sorts) that I had registered on earlier today.

Now if I was intentionally spamming, I would have included a link to my own forum, wouldn't I ?

Anyway, if anybody wants to find my forum, all they need do is google Seiko and the caliber number.

[sustento]

Have you tried contacting Higuchi or Seiya in Japan?

[Seiko7A38]

Nope - and absolutely no intention of involving any dealers in the supply chain if I can avoid it.

I have several forum members in Japan who already help with purchases on Yahoo Japan, etc.

Got this rare JDM 7A38-7110 incoming at present, thanks to the help from one such member.

The plan is to source these crystals from KHH at the lowest possible (trade) price and pass on the savings to my forum members.

If KHH aren't prepared to open an account for me, then I'm looking for someone ideally based in Bangkok who's willing to help ....

Even if it means rolling up to their premises and handing over 1000 Baht cash just to get hold of the first half dozen samples.

[Seiko7A38]

Anyway, to answer my own question:

If so, please could anyone recommend a Thai watch forum (that translates into English easily).

.... with a bit more googling, I've found one - i.e. a proper Thai watch forum, rather than a tack-on to someone's business site.

I'd post a link, but .... SIAM NALIGA is a good clue.

[seajae]

mate, love seiko divers watches and will be replacing my old one with an SKX779 with the 7S26 movement, best divers watch around and its been out for a few years now.

[Seiko7A38]

What, a boring old ugly black dialed Seiko monster ?

Not that I'm into 'Diver's myself particularly, but I quite fancied one of these Thai Ltd. Editions produced for the King's 80th birthday in 2007.

Much prefer this sort of thing myself:

[pinkpanther99]

Seiko watches you say?

What's not to like?

[thaibeachlovers]

I have a Seiko divers watch, but given I bought it in Thailand, it's probably a fake.

[pinkpanther99]

Seriously though, I could spend all day posting pics the Seiko watches I like.

Maybe you've just created the official Seiko watch thread?

Or perhaps it is time Thaivisa had an official watch lovers forum?

Anyway, here's to another stunning Seiko, this time it's a Grand Seiko (only previously sold in Japan up until a few years ago), now they're more widely available.

[MAJIC]

Seiko watches you say?

What's not to like?

What's not to like?

I have two Automatics (not copies) and they are terrible timekeepers! let's talk minutes per month,not seconds!

My wife bought me both of them,the second one is only eight months old.While the first one is in for a new movement,and managed about a year and a half before it packed up!

[Seiko7A38]

Seiko watches you say?

What's not to like?

Me ? I just hate the Seiko 'Monster' 'cos it's so damned fugly. LOL !! Let's face it - it's a Marmite watch.

BTW - Seiko Thailand have done lots of different Limited editions of these - different color dials, bezel and PVD'd too.

There's a couple of good threads about the Thai 'Monsters' on WatchUseek forum. I'd post links, but you know how it is.

[daoyai]

What an odd thing to have a fetish about, watches ...oh well a strange species we are.

[kurnell]

Was thinking of buying a Seiko watch as I have an Omega, but keep it in the safe cos I'm scared of losing it

[geronimo]

I bought this one 5 years ago for 200 U$ Has served me well.

[Seiko7A38]

What an odd thing to have a fetish about, watches ...oh well a strange species we are.

You have no idea. Try googling Watch Fetish Forum.

[Cosmo88]

So perhaps a more interesting question: Any Seiko watch enthusiasts out there? :-)

[Seiko7A38]

You want interesting ? There are much worse better out there. Watch Fetish Forum is mild in comparison to some ....

For example the Chronoporn thread hidden away in the Boys' Room on TZ-UK.

[sustento]

If you want watch porn...

http://ninanet.net/watches/launchpad.html

[Rooo]

Moved to hobbies.

[dominique355]

I am a watch collector, although mainly Swiss mechanic watches, but I also have a few Seiko watches, among them a limited edition GPS Solar. Great watch and really ahead of its time with taking the accurate time from the GPS satellites.

It will be hard to get any assistance here if you do not want to involve any dealers. But if you do change your mind and will contact a dealer, try Trocedero Watches, they are in all the high end luxury department stores, which is some sort of guarantee to be serious.

[Seiko7A38]

Thanks for the input, Dominique. But again, I prefer the direct approach (to KHH Watch) - and I haven't given up yet.

There have got to be other watch enthusiasts based in BKK who have used KHH themselves - and may be willing to help.

To which end (and not having had any success on that other Thai watch forum I tried to register on) ....

I carried on googling - not on KHH Watch, but their full company name Kwang Heng Huat Watch Ltd.

The second page of results returned an earlier thread on this forum, from November last year.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682588-where-to-lathe-a-single-part-for-a-watch-in-bkk/

If you are going down Chinatown try the following shop in the soi between Yaowarat and Charoenkrung roads. If carries many spare parts and watchmaker equipment.

Kwang Heng Huat Watch Ltd
31-33-35 Padungdao Road
Samphanthavong
BKK

Coming from Hualamphong if you get to the China Princess Hotel junction (old name, not sure of new name) you have gone too far.

Saying that I was in the shop last week and they did not have the bracelet pin I wanted.

[Seiko7A38]

If you want watch porn...

http://ninanet.net/watches/launchpad.html

I know Steve G.'s site very well.

Particularly this page: http://ninanet.net/watches/others13/Mediums/mseiko7a28.html

[sustento]

Have you tried Reto at pmwf? He's based in Thailand.

http://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/profile.php?34,2847

[Seiko7A38]

No I hadn't. Thanks for that.

I'm not registered on PMWF (not that I can remember, anyway), but WUS, SCWF; TZ-UK, TZ, RLT + my own forum, obviously.

I may give him a shot.

[sustento]

Don't know if this is any good

http://www.10watches.com/apps/webstore/products/category/29032?page=1

[sustento]

I haven't bought a watch for ages. If I feel obliged to buy one after looking at pmwf I shall send the OP the bill

[Seiko7A38]

Not really, but thanks again, anyway.

If you want watch porn...

http://ninanet.net/watches/launchpad.html

I know Steve G.'s site very well.

Particularly this page: http://ninanet.net/watches/others13/Mediums/mseiko7a28.html

Funnily enough, one of the Seiko 7Axx's I'm looking to source a suitable replacement beveled edge crystal for is the 31.0mm x 2.0mm thick used in the 7A28-7040 on that page of Steve's website. Seiko p/n 310W64GN00.

Supplies in the UK have run out recently, although Seiko had been listing them as obsolete and NLA for quite some time. I'm hoping that the 31.0mm x 2.0mm GFT crystal listed by KHH Watch may do the trick. If so, it would likely be a cheap solution.

If I was looking to get someone to (re)manufacture an exact replacement, then rather than Jake @ Dagaz (10watches), I'd probably talk to Harold Ng (Yobokies). Last year, instigated by my forum, he produced a batch of repro' bezel inserts for these watches which are proving very popular.

However, if there already is something out there, theoretically available 'off the shelf' that will fit (even if they are Chinese made crystals), I don't see the point of 're-inventing the wheel'.

[Seiko7A38]

I haven't bought a watch for ages. If I feel obliged to buy one after looking at pmwf I shall send the OP the bill

Then just don't even think about looking on my forum. Seiko 7Axx's are becoming very collectable.

Lots of silly prices being asked on eBay lately. Take this common or garden 7A28-7040 (actually a JDM version):

http://www.ebay.de/itm/SEIKO-Quartz-Chronograph-Cal-7A28-7040-Sports-100-ca-1980-neu-new-ungetragen-/221425687722

I bought mine (mint example of the normal export version) a couple of years back for less than 150 Euros.