Todays victim, ain't she purtty.................................



I case you dont know the story, let me bring you up to speed. Long time ago I owned one of the first MM`s, back in 2002. At that time I had pulled off the bezel and had a look see at what there was. What I saw on the crystal retainer at that time made it perfectly clear it required a special wrench to gain access to the movement. So I never went any further in trying to open one. There were more then enough vintage watches to keep busy also,

Now, a few years has gone by and Seiko has changed how this baby is put together, and now I don't need no special stinking tool to get into them. This is a late model 2008 watch, where the change over date is (For the crystal retainer design) I do not know, but I know enough to know now that I`ll be able to get into all of them, I may need to make a wrench for the earlier ones, but thats part of the fun,

OK, So lets get to it,

Whenever I`m working on a watch such as this, she gets protected.................



The bezel pops off easily enough, not more trouble then a SKX diver.

So with that I can see the newer crystal retainer. You` notice I have tapped over the crystal also, and this is what I do on most case backs also before I remove them, I`v just found its too easy and really saves your hide if you slip,



It is not the inner set of lug notches that we need to put the removal tool on (They retain the crystal itself), but the outer set of notches that retain the entire crystal assembly and bolt it to the case just like a case back! Not only that, but the outer ring that comprises the case seal is "Left Hand" thread!! So by turning "Right", it unscrews as easily and as simply as any other case back should, Previously, I had seen two small flats, and no outer notches on the earlier watches,

Here is a shot of the hold over lands for the earlier wrench, there are two lands like this directly opposite of each other.



OK, crystal ring is out, very far out looking sitting by itself.......................



And turned over. The flats or lands for the earlier wrench are more noticable here.





And this next picture will show you how it bolts down on a standard O-ring gasket in a channel, just like a case back.



I`ll say, the machine work here is absolutely phenomenal. Everything is beyond just being stately and workman like here in this machining , its more polished and perfect! The tolerances and polish and attention to detail here are much closer then you would find in a "everyday" Seiko. This case IS, a WORK OF ART!

Another angle...................................................



And heres our stem release, right at 3 O`clock.



Removing the dial trim ring, it simply lifts off at this stage, gives a little more room to work the steam release......................................



And so that gives us a look at the Marine Masters crown and tube.



OK, I hate to say this, but this crown is anemic. This is no better crown then you will find on a Sumo or even a monster. Its only using one gasket, appears to be the same gasket used on the SKX!! Really sad about this. I would have thought Seiko would use at least two or three gaskets in this, but there is only the one! One stinking gasket!! No back up, its not even large by any stretch of the word. Ohh well. Lets put a trip lock on it! LOLLOLOLOL.

A few more shots of the crown.





Lets move on. To the empty case. In this case, the machine work still impress`s!



There is a thin rubber o-ring at the very bottom of the well you can see. This works as the case spring, butting up against the movement holder and taking up (gently) any slack in the over all height of the internal parts . When you are re-assembling the movement in the case, you have to be very careful not to let this o-ring get up under the movement, or it will interfere with the winding rotor being able to spin.

And now the movement as she sits removed from the case........



And now the back side, always the prettiest part,







Link to full size 8L35 movement pictures............

http://www.network54.com/Forum/621198/message/1251658037/


And thats about it for now. You`ve been inside the Marine Master now!

I am hoping that in the future I can go inside the 8L35 movement also, These are going to need to be serviced at some point.

Cheers,
Randall





____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"Like my old Granddaddy used to always say; the less a man makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect."- Q.T. Four Rooms

Enjoy!







Cheers,
Randall

____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"Like my old Granddaddy used to always say; the less a man makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect."- Q.T. Four Rooms

I believe I recently saw a posting where one of these earlier MM was brought back to life...I need to start thiuking about sending mine to you for some attention (if interested):




regards
Mark A.
Phx, Az.

Mark, my email is above, just remove the nospam portion.


Cheers,
Randall

____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"Like my old Granddaddy used to always say; the less a man makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect."- Q.T. Four Rooms

they really show the quality of the finish on the movement.

Regards,
Sweephand

..

http://chrismoy.smugmug.com/

To share what could easily be viewed as a trade secret is commendable and shows how much love you possess for the brand. Hat's off to you.

Question about the crown/tube system: Is there a gasket up inside the crown that seals against the top edge of the tube? Also, can you verify the rumors of whether or not the tube is non-removable from the case frame? Lastly, what does the crystal assembly look like from the underside (only if convenient to show)? 2manyquestions, I know, but thanks for humoring.

--Noah R.

Ya, I had to wonder how many people would precede to muck up their Marne Master with that info. But I contrasted this by the fact they are getting up there in years and so the info should come out, LOL. Besides, the one guy thats held on to that information for all these years can not service the movement, But I can,

OK, Answers:

There is no gasket up inside the crown (Or down in the tube for that matter), There is room for one I think, but there aint one there from Seiko.

As far as I can see, its standard Seiko procedure with the tube, looks pressed in. I`m sure it could be drilled out and a better crown installed, I do it all the time, You`ll also notice that it appears Seiko is using the one piece stem and crown assembly, meaning they cant be separated,

I have to go into her again as the regulation is not true to the timer and there is a 4-6 second diferance, and she`as about -4/day right now. So I`ll get a pic of the bottom of that retainer, I should have got one in the first place, its another place where the machine work "wows" you,

Cheers,
Randall






____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"Like my old Granddaddy used to always say; the less a man makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect."- Q.T. Four Rooms

Thanks for looking after her so well Randall. There were 2 things bugging me about her and now they are getting sorted

"Making the world a better place one Sawtooth at a time!" (Zoodles 2006)

nt

____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"Like my old Granddaddy used to always say; the less a man makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect."- Q.T. Four Rooms

Too bad mine is from 2002 and i guess will need a special opener if ever it needs to be serviced.

Thanks again.

BTW, what was the reason you opened up the MM? For a servicing?

Thanks for taking us on the journey inside this iconic machine.
Your pics are perfect

------------------------------------------

who new the MM was that beautiful?
Thank you Dr.

Hopefully the fanboys, dont get too over hyped about the crown.

kmc

Lets all thank Kevin Chan and Larry Biggs, and Use the Search tool.

Gosh, I sure wish that my MM needed service so I could send it. I'd love to see you take the next step and get inside that 8L35.

That said, I enjoyed the writeup immensely!

Japanese Watch Enthusiasts:http://www.gmtplusnine.com

I do want to take the time to read it thoroughly later on, but definitely wanted to give you a "thumbs up" before too much time went by. I've had little time/opportunity lately to stay online more than just a brief while [all day maintenance power shutdown Sunday + a bunch of social obligations the last few days here...]. Hopefully, I'll get a good chance to read this post over well in a day or 2.

===============================================


Seiko Matsuda
The Patron Saint of Seiko Collectors

OK I could not resist.

Im kidding.


Lets all thank Kevin Chan and Larry Biggs, and Use the Search tool.

And thanks everyone for enjoying the artical and the kudo`s,

Cheers,
Randall

____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"Like my old Granddaddy used to always say; the less a man makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect."- Q.T. Four Rooms

nt

Lets all thank Kevin Chan and Larry Biggs, and Use the Search tool.

That watch is on my wrist, right now. It's unforgettable, a real masterpiece. If you have even the slightest sense that you want a Seiko diver with a high-zoot movement, I recommend you call Dr. Seiko and have him start cooking it up.

[IMG][/IMG]

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA

and found the same thing.. Mine is an earlier 2008 model.



You've inspired me..Maybe when I get some time later, I'll "dive" right in

"Dawn Of Time Watchworks"
dotwatchworks.com is a Division of 10watches.com

..

http://chrismoy.smugmug.com/

"Dawn Of Time Watchworks"
dotwatchworks.com is a Division of 10watches.com

..

http://chrismoy.smugmug.com/

Cheers,
Randall

____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"Like my old Granddaddy used to always say; the less a man makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect."- Q.T. Four Rooms

..

http://chrismoy.smugmug.com/

The machine work inside the case shows a lot of care and craftsmanship

"Making the world a better place one Sawtooth at a time!" (Zoodles 2006)

Very interesting. One question, did you do anything to the lume on the dial and hands or is it the photo? Looks so nice and yellow.



/Stefan


Molle Watch - Watch Photos
My Complete Seiko Collection

Thanks for posting,

I did`nt do anything to the lume on the MM, It is just the bench mat back ground messing with the colors.


Cheers,
Randall


____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"Like my old Granddaddy used to always say; the less a man makes declarative statements, the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect."- Q.T. Four Rooms

i miss my MM, I think I have to save up for another

Interesting to see the works...

nt

____________________________________________________________
Seikoholic #1
Dr.Seiko,
Specializing in Seikology, Seikotherapy, and other Horological Dis-ease.
Made in the U.S.A.

"We will not rush the hands of time." Arturo Fuente

A very nice article, it's good to see what's inside the MM.
David