New Old Stock 1989 Seiko 2K01-0011 Quartz

[Doug5551]

So 1.5 years ago at the start of the pandemic I got my first watch nicer that a $150 quartz Chase Durer from Costco. It was a Tudor Black Bay Burgundy. I got it as a trophy for my career and to celebrate my retirement. I absolutely love it and wear it every day.

Recently I decided that I may want to add another watch to my collection. The Tudor totally satisfies my need for a Rolex/Tudor/Steel/Tool watch. What I really desire is to have a watch to wear on several different Alligator leather straps. To that end, I have been considering a dress watch which I could also wear in casual daily circumstances.

Over Labor Day, I was looking in my storage and discovered that I had a Seiko Quartz 2K01-0010. I got it when I worked at a Thrifty Drug store in Garden Grove, California in about 1989. It was out of the box and the manager wanted it gone so he gave it to me for practically nothing. I have kept it in storage for 32 years and never worn it.

It is a classic dress watch with classic proportions. It has a 32 mm dial, is 6 mm thick and has 18 mm lugs for an 18 mm strap. It weights approximately 25-30 grams.

I want to wear it so that I can get used to wearing a small dress watch. My Tudor is much bigger with a 41 mm dial, 14 mm thick and weighs 185 grams! It's large size is partly why I like it so much.

To get the Seiko Quartz 2K01-0010 running I need to get a new battery. I have found that it uses a Maxell 321 SR616SW battery. Amazon has a 5 pack for $3. I would like to install the battery myself but I am not very handy. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for a tool kit on Amazon which would help me change the battery as I am extremely excited to wear this Vintage watch for the first time!!!

Many thanks for all suggestions!

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[Old Expat Beast]

Can you show us the caseback? If you need a special tool, it would be easier and cheaper to have your nearest mall watch repair guy do it. Also, be prepared for the movement to be ruined if the original battery has leaked.

[Fredcohiba]

Stay away from replacing the battery yourself. The case back is very hard to press back on you can do more damage than good. Ask me how I know…

[Doug5551]

Many thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Please see pic of case back.

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[Old Expat Beast]

To do it right you'd need a caseback opener and a press to close it. You might get away with a knife edge to open it and using your hands to close it, but as in Fred's case, that could go wrong. You can see the kind of things required here: https://www.plus9time.com/seiko-tools

[Doug5551]

I greatly appreciate your comments. I found three different highly rated watch repair shops nearby. I think I will try one of them.

I will report back results!!

[Doug5551]

It's alive!

I took it to Mr. Time in Torrance, California. They installed a new battery for $12 and in less than 5 minutes while I waited.

No apparent damage from the old battery. Will keep an eye on it to see how accurate it is.

It's pretty neat to be wearing a brand new 32 year old watch. That it has a connection to my past makes it very special.

It will be interesting to see how I feel about wearing such a small, light dress style watch. I look forward to the experience!!!

Many thanks to all for your suggestions. I greatly appreciate it!!

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[Old Expat Beast]

Looking good...great to see it back in action. Vintage Seiko quartz watches seem to go on for ever. By the way, the "O2" start to the serial number means the watch was produced either in February 1980 or 1990.

[Doug5551]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Looking good...great to see it back in action. Vintage Seiko quartz watches seem to go on for ever. By the way, the "O2" start to the serial number means the watch was produced either in February 1980 or 1990.

Adam,

Many thanks for the additional information and knowledge. I greatly appreciate it!!

It would be produced in February of 1990. So it's now 31.5 years old and being worn for the very first time. How special!!

[Old Expat Beast]

No problem. If you dig through the 1990 or 91 catalog here, you might be able to find it: https://www.watchhunter.org/referenc...og-pdf-library