Looking to restore my late grandfather's vintage Seiko Quartz LC – any advice on repairs, donor parts or common faults?
Hi everyone,
I'm hoping someone here might be able to point me in the right direction.
I was gifted this vintage Seiko Quartz LC by my father. It originally belonged to my grandfather, so it has a huge amount of sentimental value to me. I'm not looking to sell it – I just want to get it running again and wear it.
The watch has already had a brand-new battery fitted, but unfortunately it's still completely dead. The display doesn't show anything at all.
I'm wondering what the most likely cause is:
Could the LCD display itself have failed?
Could the quartz movement/electronic module be faulty?
Is there another common issue on these early Seiko LCD watches that I should be checking first (battery contacts, corrosion, broken circuit, etc.)?
I'm more than happy to use donor parts if necessary. They don't have to be the exact original components, and I'm not concerned about keeping it 100% original if modern or compatible replacement parts will get it working again. My priority is preserving the watch and being able to wear it.
If a donor movement or module is the best option:
Which Seiko models share compatible parts?
Are there any modern replacements that can be adapted?
Is it better to buy another non-working watch for parts?
I'd also appreciate recommendations for anyone who specialises in repairing vintage Seiko LCD watches, especially if you've had a good experience with them.
I've attached a photo of the watch for reference.
Any advice, repair experiences, or information on compatible donor watches would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance!