Seiko 0439-5007

[retrowrist]

Hello,

Here is the link...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT


I was wondering if anyone here thinks that this little gem is a good deal to be had. I am not to sure of the forum rules here, I just want to know if anyone thinks this Seiko without the original gold band would be worth the price being sold at.

Thank you all.

- Retrowrist

[Old Tom]

My tuppence worth- AVOID. 0439 is a very common early Seiko and typically for that price you should be able to buy a Gilt one complete with band in good condition if you wait a while (although I much prefer the front button SS ones, 0439 also comes in side button version so check the photos!). The ebay one looks to be made up of two parts- a rather battered and well polished front case and a very clean back & battery hatch. The seller is on my avoid list- he sold me a fake Seiko Z strap a short while ago which he is still listing as genuine! Should have known better, genuine Z straps are always $20 & up, never less.

[retroleds]

I'm with Old Tom - to high, especially in that condition. Maybe like $40-45. But that model might fetch $150 on a really good day, if totally unworn condition, correct band, box,etc. Condition is king, that one is rough. A good donor watch if you have a flawless case. But not at that price.

[retrowrist]

My tuppence worth- AVOID. 0439 is a very common early Seiko and typically for that price you should be able to buy a Gilt one complete with band in good condition if you wait a while (although I much prefer the front button SS ones, 0439 also comes in side button version so check the photos!). The ebay one looks to be made up of two parts- a rather battered and well polished front case and a very clean back & battery hatch. The seller is on my avoid list- he sold me a fake Seiko Z strap a short while ago which he is still listing as genuine! Should have known better, genuine Z straps are always $20 & up, never less.

Thank you,

But I have a couple of questions:

1. What is a "guilt one"

2. The reason I liked this watch (0439) is because of the "Gold Plating", but you know more than I.

3. Is there a Seiko model made in a gold finish, made in around the same year that I can look for? What model would it be? Please advise me if you can.

Thank you Old Tom, and Ed.

- RetroWrist

[Old Tom]

All that glitters is not Gold! Unless the watch says it is Gold or Gold plated then the glittery Golden finish is more correctly described as Gilt (or golden like, from the Old English).

If I remember right 0439 runs from end of 1977 to Summer 1979. Not many Gold/Gilt finish Seikos early on, but by 1979 lots to choose from- A128, A129, A158 and A159 all came in Gilt finish and are fairly plentiful. Front button Seikos in Gilt are rarer- 0439, 0634, AO29 & A031 come to mind (well, I have those in Gilt!).

Just keep looking on Ebay- normally a complete Gilt 0439 turns up every two/three weeks, but condition varies. DO NOT BUY a non-working one- this is a very strange watch inside- the timekeeping chip is actually mounted on the glass of the LCD display and when they go wrong it is terminal.

[retrowrist]

Got it!

Thank you Old Tom.

- RetroWrist