Seiko 5 Presage 'Fantasy' Custom Modification (Mumbai Special)
Dress Watch / Fashion Watch · Aftermarket Assembly; utilizes Seiko components but is not an original factory-produced model (Seiko Holdings Corp).
Period: Modern Mashup; uses design cues from the 1960s (Seiko 5 logo) and 2010s (Presage branding).
Type
Dress Watch / Fashion Watch
Brand
Aftermarket Assembly; utilizes Seiko components but is not an original factory-produced model (Seiko Holdings Corp).
Movement
Automatic, likely a refurbished Seiko Caliber 7S26 or 6309; 21,600 vph, approx. 40-hour power reserve.
Dimensions
37mm Diameter, 11mm Thickness, 43mm Lug-to-Lug, 18-19mm Lug Width.
Description
This watch is a common 'Franken-watch' often seen on secondary markets. It combines the branding of the entry-level 'Seiko 5' with the upscale 'Presage' line on a single dial—a combination Seiko does not produce. The result is a high-contrast dress watch with an Arabic day wheel catering to Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
Key Features
Contradictory 'Seiko 5' and 'Presage' logos; Arabic day wheel; aftermarket sunburst dial with faux-diamond indices; integrated crown guards.
Dial Description
Sunburst silver dial with 'Seiko 5' and 'Presage' branding; features 'diamond' crystal indices at 12, 3, 6, and 9 with gold-tone daggers; Arabic/English day-date complication.
Case Material
Gold-tone plated base metal or stainless steel with a high-polished finish.
Crystal Type
Flat Mineral Glass or Acrylic; visible scratches and edge wear suggest non-sapphire material.
Bezel Details
Fixed, smooth, gold-tone plated bezel integrated into the case design.
Crown & Pushers
Push-pull gold-tone crown at the 3 o'clock position; small diameter with distinct ribbing.
Bracelet or Strap
Gold-tone five-link 'Jubilee' style bracelet with a pressed folding clasp and a brushed/polished finish.
Caseback Details
Likely solid screw-down or snap-on caseback, common for older Seiko 5 movements used in these assemblies.
Movement Type
Automatic, likely a refurbished Seiko Caliber 7S26 or 6309; 21,600 vph, approx. 40-hour power reserve.
Water Resistance
Rated 30m (Splash resistant only); practical resistance is likely zero due to the nature of custom assembly.
Origin & Provenance
Modified in India/Southeast Asia; movement typically Japanese in origin, dial and assembly are aftermarket/refurbished.
Age Estimate
Likely assembled between 2015-2023 using vintage movement components and a modern 'fantasy' dial.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Franken-watch' culture of the 21st century, where discarded mechanical movements are recycled and re-cased for affordable consumption in developing markets.
Condition Notes
Good; visible scratches on the crystal and light scuffing on the gold plating of the bezel. The dial is clean but shows alignment characteristic of aftermarket parts. Overall Grade: Fair/Good.
Value Estimate
$30 - $60 USD. Value is limited due to the 'fantasy' aftermarket nature of the dial and lack of collectibility.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid water exposure as gaskets are likely aged or missing; service every 5 years; do not expect high accuracy (+/- 30 seconds/day is normal).
Similar Watches
Seiko SNKL48 (Actual Seiko 5 Gold), Seiko SRPD36 (Actual Presage Cocktail Time), various vintage Seiko 7009 models.
Interesting Facts
These watches are often nicknamed 'Mumbai Specials' because they are frequently refurbished and painted by hand in workshops in India to give old movements a new life in 'luxury' style cases.