Giving Keith His Seiko Willard Back - DID I CHANGE THE HANDS???? 

What a great follow up to the Willard restoration. I'm glad you and Keith found each other in your time of need.

This is such a special watch, because of its story, so it's not surprising that the original video has so many views. It's one of the rare videos that I've watched twice (so far). So thanks to you and Keith for this update.

First comment on one of your videos, 2 years later and I got the first comment, great video. It was great to see him get his watch back running again after all these years. A very iconic watch that you have made it last another 50 years!!!!

Double red Jesus! Great video and I'm glad that original hands stayed with the watch.

I watched all three of your videos, I really loved it. The greatest watch restoration story I’ve heard of.

I loved Keith's comments on the watch being "better than new", despite the worn original parts. He seems like the absolute legend you described him to be in the previous and this video. It's also amazing seeing him use his Rolex as a proper tool, quite the contrast with the current state of the brand. Returning to earlier in the video, sorry if this comes across as rude over the culture barrier. Important distinction, "Holland" only refers to two provinces, "the Netherlands" to the entire country. That hands pushing tool looks amazingly machined, but wow does it operate choppily with those seemingly overpowered springs. It's a shame that the after-market hands did not fit, but the original, ruined handset does add it's charm.

Heartfelt and inspirational. Beautiful moments. "A friend in need is a true friend indeed." We all need someone to show us the light when we can only see the dark. Awesome project and beautiful reaction. I guess he is one the few who actually used his divers for the intended purpose.

Great story. Great watche. Great people!

This was an enjoyable couple of hours. I did not see this and the former about the 6105 Seiko dive watch until after the later 6309 Seiko 5 video. I also bought my 6105 new in Philadelphia in 1977. The dial on Keith's watch is better than mine, the hands a little worse, but I still can use the crystal. It was serviced once after sitting away for years, like his. I'm subscribed as of today, thanks. I am a prostate cancer survivor, having mine removed in 2004 laparoscopically. I was an "exhibit" for doctors to learn during the 100th anniversary of Jefferson Hospital's Urology Department, as this was relatively new. Now days the robot does the job. Dave

Amazing story, and I'm happy to see the original hands on it. Guitars, watches and diving, I have connections to all of these things. Avid watch guy myself, I restore vintage guitars and my uncle died during the second narrows bridge collapse in Vancouver BC Canada, he was a professional diver. I had the chance to talk to Phil Newton, world famous pioneer in the diving community. He was there on the day my uncle died. I have my uncle's first name as my middle name although I never did meet him, he died one year before I was born. I just went through some cancer surgery myself, skin cancer on my nose, so that too. I was glued to your restoration video of this watch and had to see this one where you give it back, the world needs more people like you mate, and me for that matter, great stuff, keep up the good work and good deeds, all the best to ya!

great story & your both very fortunate to have found the new friendship that will no doubt last indefinately ... congrats

Good thing you did keep the original hands. Part of the history imo. Love your videos. Shortly im going to try and service a 6309a movement and your vids are really going to help in this process. Would be my first full service.

Seikosis sells hands for the original 6105 movement.

Lovely video Mike, I do like Keith's rolex. Seems like a true gent.

I love this, thanks for the video.

Well done Mike, you gave Keith a restored link to his past. Now his memories are alive and not in a drawer. A really emotional video that showed what a hobby can achieve.

Great epilogue, & a double red Sea Dweller! A stunning example of a Rolex I actually desire. Don't see many of those nowadays.

Keith seems like such a top bloke, and he looked so chuffed to get his watch returned to working order! Well done!

What an excellent follow-up. Great content. Pleased that you have let us into your world with and allowed us to meet with Keith.

Oh wow. What I love about the watches from Keith is that they show signs of wear and are not just in a safe.

crazy to think you were able to make friends in the infusion center, and no one even said a word to me the entire time I went there.. so crazy how different people's experiences are.

Great story , it is a real pity that the replacement hands did not fit , that is the main problem today trying to repair something 30-40 years old the parts are no longer available , But the watch works and Keith is extremely happy .

Mike - I think all's well that ends well. Even though the original hands looked bad, they are original to the watch. Had you thought about re-luming them? You would be surprised by how much of the rust is caught up in the edges of the lume itself. After cleaning off the old lume, I bet the hands would have looked much better with a fresh coat of lume. I am not sure if you all have Goof Off adhesive remover in the UK but I found that soaking hands in this stuff for about 3 min will dissolve the old lume without having the scrape it off the back.

quality mike 😃😄

What a great story Mike, that what I appreciate on your channel the human side, and seeing what watchmaking is in the real life ! Love to see the reaction when Keith open the box and saw his watch ✨👌 thank you for sharing ! 🙂

Great Job on the watch, Good story, happy customer!

It was so heartwarming to see the reunion of Keith and his Seiko. There is so much value in striking up a conversation with those around you in various circumstances. Who would have known that such a chance encounter would have created such a great friendship and the watch as a link and memory between the two. It was a difficult time but you and Keith got through it together and the respect you have for each other is earned. Thanks for the inspiration, the Seiko and the Rolex look fantastic together and it was nice to see both of your enthusiasm.

Loved meeting both of you. This video is a nice complement to the others. Having just had a surgery yesterday, I appreciated your story about lying in the hospital, waiting for the knife. I hope you are doing well. I might have to get one of those homage Willard's. It's large for my taste and I prefer quartz watches (after wearing out the crown threads on my Orient Mako, resetting the time every few days), but I may have to make an exception. I haven't seen any decent quartz Willard's, but maybe you know of one. Or maybe I'll get the mechanical and only wear it for special, meaningful occasions and let it sit on my dresser, with the others, the rest of the time. My concern is that I don't wear even wear the beautiful Phoibos sub homage I already own, because of the size and weight (164 grams on the bracelet). Warm regards and keep putting up great videos!

Incredible story telling. I took the time to read about saturation diving, which I didn't know was an occupation. I have newfound respect for these guys.

I don't know which of the two is more excited.

Well done, mate! Great watch, better story, wonderful friendship!

A meeting and a very nice conversation with the owner of the watch is an amazing event, very emotional and positive. In the end, you bring back to life the clock for people and in memory of people and events in people's lives. I am happy with you that with your work you have brought so many positive emotions to this lovely gentleman.

Top work Mike keep well from New Zealand 🇳🇿

Great follow-up.

What a great story! Glad to see that you guys became friends during fairly dark/scary times. Good things do happen to nice people! I love both of those watches, by the way....😁

Awesome video. He definitely seemed happy with the watch. I have Subscribed to your channel.

I've been getting some wear out of my Aliexpress Willard-o-like, sorted the Geckota bracelet out on it as I couldn't get it just right either too tight or too loose but I found in my bracelet links one that was slimmer but same style and fitting and got it perfect. Sorry for dropping out the facebook group, what with the illness flattening me, my ex missus and her family started up again not only attacking me online but friends and acquaintances alike it is very depressing. Still skirting the drain hole with me own prostate but had some good news in I pushed my diabetes into remission, docs are amazed so some silver linings :D Hope finds you well and say hi in the group for me :D

Fantastic job, Mike. It was awesome to see Keith's face when he opened the box; he probably had an instant of overflow of memories he had when he was wearing it!. I think it's the first I see someone wearing a red Sea Dweller instead of leaving it in a safe somewhere :)

Great video Mike. Hats off to the both of you.

Great watch and an even better story. Well done. You made it happen.

Great video, shame the replacement hands weren't made properly. Thanks to Keith for appearing, he has two very cool watches.

Beautiful.

Epic audio work.

Thank you Mike i sure enjoyed these videos, and Keith was so pleased to get his restored Willard back on his wrist, and he is such a nice guy, as you are for doing his treasured restoration.. I thank you both, and continue with good health 👍 🍺 Au

Great video! So nice of you to bring Keith’s Willard back to life. I really enjoyed this video

Solid chap, great watch’s, and the old hands are part of its history. So for me, happy to see them stay. Keep safe buddy

Thanks Mike. Great video finishing a wonderful story. And ……Speedtimerkollection!!!! All I can say is “oh dear….”

I love your videos. Keith is a great guy. One of my favorite videos. Thank Mike

Absolutely fantastic - I liked the story even more than the watch... Though both are brilliant. Thanks for this.

Great video. 🙂 Keith seems like a very sound chap.

Lovely to see! This warmed the cockles of me heart, mate. The video at the end, with Keith, doesn't seem so bad. You clearly did a great job of cleaning it up and removing the background noise. Thanks for a wonderful video.

Just found your channel. Love this! And WHAT a pair of watches 😍

I like that original patina it tells a story.

hi Mike, great content as usual, really touching story of friendship about this watch..6105 is my favourite vintage seiko, if it was mine maybe I try to restore the original hands with a new lume.. cheers from Italy!

What a fantastic couple of guys, and of course a great story and a classic watch. What more can we ask for? This is top notch content, well done both of you!

Keith's got great taste in Reloges!

You can also use cerium oxide to polish mineral glass.

Superb follow up video Mike, I like many said to swap the hands but strangely I’m quite pleased that the original ones stayed with it. Lovely to meet Keith with you and put a face to the name.

Cockle warming - note to self : get checked - love those trench style watches - excited to see one on the bench...

Great video and great story. As for the hands Spencer Klein on RU-vid might be someone to contact for original Seiko parts.

Such a heartwarming and touching video. So great to get a follow up to the original. I find myself thinking back to the original video a lot, so its great to see the conclusion.

Keith, wear it in good health.

Mike just got home from the thrift shop bought a jar of watches for 11.00 dollars canadian while looking through the pile I noticed a scratched up seiko with no strap thing it was a dude the second hand only move once in a while ,thinking it needed a battery got it home to see which battery it used only to be amazed that it is an original 6105 8000 thank to your channel found out alot more about it and that it is self winding

I had my bought-new in '89 Speedie Pro serviced a few years ago and agreed to change the hands as the lume had crumbled leaving holes in the hands. I REALLY regret it. The painted hands are now bright white and look silly against the yellowed/faded (basically non-glowing) old hour markers. Every time I look at it it bugs me. That said, replacing rusted polished steel hands with shiny new ones would not be such an issue for me I think.

Crisp video, good microscope!

Maybe the hands are for the NH35 movement ,for the common Willard copys .You did not waste our time , because we can learn !☺☺

A very nice story, as well in emotional or technical terms. It's a pity that those aftermarket hands were rubbish, because I would have done it anyway. Don't you change the tyres of your car when you sell (or buy) it ?.

Hi Mike, restoring a willard myself. Found the videos really helpful. The hands....ok no good. Did you find any replacement hands which actually fit, even after the fact. On mine the hour and minute hands are okish usual plating bit rough and lume rot but the second hand isn't even the correct one. So at worst I could do with a replacement second hand. Any help appreciated. Thanks paul

Yo mikey, i know not metup for bit, but that was ace vid, glad you are all good bro.. still watch fanatic but had lot going on, i will catch up with you! Peace out.

what a great moment between you guys Keith seems like a genuinely good bloke, but hes ex mob so us old salty sea dogs brush up ok! cheers great video, im sure he had some great ordanance clearing tales to tell.

How to measure the case so I can get a new movement. I have no tool to measure in the meter system. How to measure the out side of the case or inside of the case? Thanks for info!

198 thumbs up

Hey Mike, can you point me in the direction of where I can find a loupe like the one you have on your glasses, having a hard time finding a good one. Great video.

Not 100% on this but Dagaz may make 6105 hands

Please please do my seiko

:)

Low on views? I'm sure that Rolex could do with a service... Hint hint...

Why not just clean and re-lume the original hands?!

:)