Seiko 5009, Case Back Removal & Repair Tips

[bucko170]

I recently got hold of one of these, it was covered in grime but on inserting batteries it does show some signs that it might come back to life, the display is working but some of the segments come and go, the front left light button is working although intermittently, the right front button and the crown do not seem to be working, if I pull the crown out the digits fade out.

I would like to remove the case back to have a look and see what is happening inside the watch and give it a clean to see if it improves matters, I can see notches between the lugs that look as if they might be used for removing the case back but I don't want to risk breaking anything so could anyone give me some tips on how to get the case back off and any repair tips, help and advise would also be appreciated.

What functions do the commands/crown perform?

The light is situated on the left side of the display, it looks a little weak should it have a light on the right side also or is this how it was made?

I have borrowed a photo for now but if you need to see anything let me know and I will take a pic.

[Seiko&Casio Lcd's]

That's my seiko 0624-5009, you have permission to use the pic
With the pulling of the crown ,the watch can be set. Then use the 2 front buttons to actually set it.
When the display fades when pulling the crown, it could be a problem, but unfortunately i can't tell what can be done about it.
I would say it's filth between contacts, but i'm sure OLD TOM would know what this could be.
If the frontbuttons don't work, well that's filthy contacts for sure.
The problem with not all segments showing up is due to the "terminals" under the lcd panel not making a good enough contact, you have to bend them up a bit, but ever so gently.
http://www.digitalwatchlibrary.com/imag ... /0624A.pdf
Look on page 11 and 12 to see what i mean.
You can also see how to dissasemble the case, with the band removed , push in the small "leaf springs" with a little screwdriver and then flip the screwdriver. (page 9 and 10)

[Seiko&Casio Lcd's]

Yeah, the lights of most of the 70's seiko lcd watches are not the best.
But strangely enough, some are very bright is my experience, and it has nothing to do with the battery.
I have 2 seiko's with the same modules and full batteries, 1 is bright and the other is dim.

[bucko170]

That's my seiko 0624-5009, you have permission to use the pic
With the pulling of the crown ,the watch can be set. Then use the 2 front buttons to actually set it.
When the display fades when pulling the crown, it could be a problem, but unfortunately i can't tell what can be done about it.
I would say it's filth between contacts, but i'm sure OLD TOM would know what this could be.
If the frontbuttons don't work, well that's filthy contacts for sure.
The problem with not all segments showing up is due to the "terminals" under the lcd panel not making a good enough contact, you have to bend them up a bit, but ever so gently.
http://www.digitalwatchlibrary.com/imag ... /0624A.pdf
Look on page 11 and 12 to see what i mean.
You can also see how to dissasemble the case, with the band removed , push in the small "leaf springs" with a little screwdriver and then flip the screwdriver. (page 9 and 10)

Thank you, very much appreciated.

[Kasper]

Are you turning over to the other side

nice one, thats for sure.

[Adam]

Be very careful when taking the spring plate from the in front of the LCD panel. They can be tricky. Also make sure the lcd panel is perfectly flush when reinstalling as the spring plate is very unforgiving. . The buttons will just need removing and cleaning of the recesses etc. so that full travel is returned to the button. One of my favourite watches especially with the original band, very similar Heuer in the other live thread at the moment.


Adam

[bucko170]

I had a go at removing the case back today but no joy I followed the instructions given in the link, removed the band, shaped a small screw driver to fit into the groove and tried a twisting action but it didn't budge, are the case back normally difficult to remove? How do I proceed?

If I do manage to get the case back off will the module come out in one piece like a LED module or will I get a jigsaw of parts?

Is the crystal glass or plastic, I thought it was plastic but the instruction state glass?

I would like to see this watch up and running and if this can be achieved I intend to keep it for myself, my initial ambitions was to dismantle the watch, clean the contacts and the buttons to hopefully get it working again and whilst it was apart polish the scratches out of the crystal and clean it up a little.

I do not want to risk doing any damage to the watch, my failed attempts to remove the case back has knocked my confidence in trying anything myself, if someone can point me in the right direction I might give it one more go but failing that who would be the best person to send it to for repair?

Any help will be gratefully received.

[charger105]

You just push an implement into the holes to release the leaf springs. Try doing each end, one after the other, squeezing and releasing the watch as you do it. It will be obvious when it releases. Here are some good pics which show exactly how the springs operate:
http://forum.pocketcalculatorshow.com/d ... 0857711088
It's an interesting read too !

Nothing will spring apart when you open it.
The crystal is indeed glass. It's integrated into a black plastic housing with the buttons.

If you remove the LCD panel, don't be tempted to remove the white shroud thing that the LCD panel sits in. Gold prongs directly emanate from the IC, which make contact with the LCD panel. These prongs are supported by this shroud, and once removed, is very troublesome to re-instate.

Good luck with it.
Rgds,
Andrew.

[Old Tom]

The back is retained by a leaf spring that sits in a slot- this is a single, in the centre, type and just needs to be pushed in firmly while twisting the tool. However after 40 years there will be a lot of muck under the spring and you will need to be very firm with it!.

Your fault sounds like the changeover contacts have either deformed or gone soft with age (probably just deformed). Unfortunately this does mean you do have to remove the plastic shell carrier to get at them, easy to get off, a little harder to replace without damaging the legs on the main IC. Replacement I do by cutting a strip of paper the width of the LCD cutout and about 6" long. Fold in half and place the ends of the strip against the IC legs, drop the carrier shell over the centre fold of the paper and press down gently- the paper pushes the IC legs backly evenly and prevents them being trapped/bent. Finally pull the piece of paper out and the legs should be in the right place. Works with any of "chip lying on back with legs in air" Seikos (I did an 0644 the other day).

In my experience the 0624 is a very tough watch- it was well made and lasts extremely well- faults are usually just dirty contacts or deformed springs- one of the contact springs is formed directly from a leg on the IC, be very careful with this one!

[bucko170]

It's all starting to sound a bit scary now and above my (low) skill level, I don't want to destroy a potentially working watch so I have decided to wimp out and send it to someone better able to do the job.....I am more used to dealing with LED's and don't know who to ask when it comes to LCD repairs, could someone recommend a person that I could ask, preferably in the UK.

[Seiko&Casio Lcd's]

Send a PM to seiko kid, maybe he would be willing to take a look ?
He lives in London.

[767Geoff]

Do a search but here is a posting showing it apart:

http://newdwf.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=4402

Geoff

P.s. I want one

[bucko170]

Thanks for all the help - another forum member has offered to have a look at the watch for me and it will be on it's way to him in today's post.

[bucko170]

I am pleased to report that the watch has been returned to me fully working, I am chuffed to have this watch in my collection, a special thank you goes to Adam (DWL) for his kindness and all his hard work, a great job! Cheers

[Seiko&Casio Lcd's]

I'm glad that you have it back already and working , these are great watches imho

[bucko170]

Her she is in all her glory

[Seiko&Casio Lcd's]

Adam did a great job making it work again.
Thanks for sharing the pic

[bucko170]

It was all the grime that was holding the case back in place, it is now easy to remove because Adam cleaned it up during the repair. I did take it apart and give it a little polish, the condition is not great but I think I will leave it in it's current state and have it as a daily wear.
I thought the yellow colour was the colour of the LCD panel itself and not just a filter that was placed in front of the display.

I also got this one from the same lot....

[Seiko&Casio Lcd's]

Well, that was a good lot then
That 0533 will clean up nicely too i think.