Seiko caliber VK63 SII

Hattori SII Caliber VK63

Seiko caliber VK63 SII

Manufacturer Hattori aka Seiko Instruments Inc. (SII)
Caliber Number VK63, VK63A
Movement Type Quartz (mecaquartz)
Lignes 13 1/2”’
Diameter
30.80mm x 29.10mm
Casing Diameter
29.10mm
Height 5.10mm
Jewels
0
Battery Cell Number 394
Frequency 32,768
Quartz Type Tuning fork type quartz crystal
Driver
2 pole stepping motor
Stem 351177 / tap 10 or 351892 / tap 11
Hand Sizes 1.50mm / .90mm / .32mm
Functions Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, central chronograph seconds, 60 minute counter, 24 hour indicator
Country of Manufacture Japan (assembled)
Known Models Mercer Brigadier (Add your watch to the comments below…)

The SII (Seiko Instruments) caliber VK63 is part of the hybrid mechanical quartz (mechaquartz) movement line. It is a chronograph movement that uses quartz technology for the main functions of the watch and a mechanical module for operating the chronograph. You might find this caliber VK63 listed as being produced by SII aka Hattori aka TMI (Time Module Inc) aka Seiko Instruments Inc. Learn more about the different names here. Other calibers with the same base movement are VK67 and VK83.

Seiko 6T63 VS VK63:

The SII caliber VK63 is essentially the same as the Seiko 6T63. The main difference is that the VK63 is produced for non-Seiko watch brands under Seiko Instruments. The 6T63 is used in Seiko branded watches such as the SSB025.

VK63 / VK63A / VK63B / VK63C:

The general/base caliber number is VK63, from the VK family of movements, with VK63A being the first version. The subsequent letter variations indicate evolution in the movements development. As of this post, only the VK63A exists, but if there are any upgrades or changes to the movement in the future, the letter will change to VK63B, VK63C, and so on.

Accuracy:

Time Module/Seiko states that the expected accuracy of this movement is less than +/- 20 seconds per month at normal temps.

Expected Battery Life:

The battery life is about 3 years with normal operation. Using the chronograph will drain the battery faster. The 3 years estimate is based on using the chronograph for about 60 minutes per day. If you don’t use the chronograph, you may see a longer battery life. If you use the chrono frequently, you will need to change the battery sooner than 3 years.

Changing the Battery:

The VK63 takes a battery cell number 394 (SR936SW). After installing a fresh battery cell, remember to reset the circuit by touching the AC terminal of the circuit block (look for an arrow labeled AC pointing to a hole) and the switch spring with your tweezers.


Replacement Prices:

At the time of this post, replacement prices for the VK63 were found online in the range of about $19.95 to $27.95 USD.

Dial Side Technical Drawing:

Video of VK63 Assembly and Disassembly:

Additional Resources:

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What is a Meca-Quartz Movement? Watch Movement | CaliberCorner.com
6 years ago

[…] Seiko SII VK63 […]

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"Undone" watches
6 years ago

[…] apparently, unless the Seiko VK61 is notably better than the VK63 that's showing on CaliberCorner.Hattori SII Caliber VK63 Watch Movement | CaliberCorner.com And it is also said, "go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say no and yes." — […]

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5 years ago

[…] Learn more about the different names here. Other calibers with the same base movement are VK61, VK63, VK67, VK68, VK73, and […]

norman duddy
norman duddy
4 years ago

i have the pulsar pu2011 model using the VK64-x001 caliber but cannot find the stem if
anyone can help..
ive tried a few uk suppliers and ebay but no luck so wondering if its been modified with a new number

norman duddy
norman duddy
4 years ago
Reply to  calibercorner

cheers

norman duddy
norman duddy
4 years ago

First time on here so hoping to join in with exisitng members.
I am always interested in meeting other watch makers to pass on info tips experience ect..
I deal in sales repairs of a few makes mainly omega tag seiko/+ cartier

Cheers norman United Kingdom

norman duddy
norman duddy
4 years ago
Reply to  calibercorner

cheers

D.V.
D.V.
4 years ago

If this is equivalent to 6T3 (like in SSB025) than according to the manual the frequency of crystal oscilator is 32,768Hz,

Scott Taylor-Harvey
Scott Taylor-Harvey
4 years ago

True or false. I bought a Pagani Designs “Daytona” homage that uses the VK64 movement. The supplied hands are very hard to see against the white dial and I would love to change them out. Seems that the hour and minute hands are pretty standard Seiko fare, but the sweeper is not. Anyone know of a source for these as I am told that once the sweep second hand is removed, it cannot be reused. Is this true, and if so, what now?

Scott Taylor-Harvey
Scott Taylor-Harvey
4 years ago

My bad, it uses the VK63 movement

Jack Ford
Jack Ford
4 years ago

I have the same watch and I’m looking for the same black hand set for the same reason. Please advise if you have any luck.

Freedman
Freedman
4 years ago

Removing the sweeping second hand cannot be reused on many chronographs because it’s so tight to be able to handle the motion from swinging back to zero Removing and replacing can widen the hole. I haven’t heard it with the VKs but you can always try to by a cheap replacement and play with it to test. This is a good idea to do first before working on your watch. You’ll need a 0.32mm hand to test. Another option is that you can carefully paint the hands with model paint. I did this before successfully. Let me know what you… Read more »

Leon O'King
Leon O'King
4 years ago
Reply to  Freedman

Ive had success painting hands before, great idea, just don’t overdo it or you could see textured streaks. Hobby paint aka model car paint is what I used.

Jack Ford
Jack Ford
4 years ago
Reply to  Freedman

Can you explain the painting process in more detail? Thanks

Joseph P Smetona
Joseph P Smetona
3 years ago
Reply to  Jack Ford

Jack…. please see my two posts above. Thanks.

Joseph P Smetona
Joseph P Smetona
3 years ago
Reply to  Freedman

I use an airbrush with the Testors gloss model paid in either white or black or another color. Come to think of it a flat paint might work well. I’d use a couple of thin sheets of paper and slit them to slide into place to protect the other hands. According to the other posts, you don’t want to remove the second hand. Also, I think I would paint the second had a bright red or orange. Note, I haven’t done this myself., but I’ve used an airbrush before and it seems the best alternative. I have 4 Daytonas and… Read more »

Joseph P Smetona
Joseph P Smetona
3 years ago

Here’s a photo of the Heuer Monza 150.501 that I bought new in 1977. Note the colors of the hands.

Screenshot from 2020-05-01 19-05-19.png
Joseph P Smetona
Joseph P Smetona
3 years ago

Note. It might be much easier to leave a space before painting the hands, close to the post as in the Heuer, or paint the center section black or white to blend in with the dial color. Doing this would make it much easier to paint the hands when you don’t want to remove the second hand since the second hand is on the top. refer to my Heuer Monza 150.501 photo below.

Screenshot from 2020-05-01 19-05-19.png
max fleury
max fleury
3 years ago

Hello, what would add a swan neck on this movement, please ?

Alohajoe
Alohajoe
3 years ago
Reply to  max fleury

On a quartz? What the…

Craig
Craig
3 years ago

If I wanted to convert a watch with an S11 to a mechanical movement and use the same dial are there any options?

Craig
Craig
3 years ago
Reply to  Craig

It’s VK63A and would like to keep the chronograph function. I can deal with loading the date.

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Vandaag Schallmauer – Beans & Bezels
3 years ago

[…] experience is very stable. For a $325 chronograph watch, the choices are limited to quartz, meca-quartz and the Seagull ST19. I would take this movement over an ST19 any day of the […]

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3 years ago

[…] el interior del reloj encontramos el popular calibre mecaquartz de SEIKO VK63. Representa una gran opciĂ³n para los cronĂ³grafos de las micro marcas, aportando la sensaciĂ³n y […]

Jack Ford
Jack Ford
3 years ago

I have 2 Chinese Pagani Daytona Quartz watches – don’t ask me why, which have the VK63 movement. Maybe I broke the winding stem housing on one of them, because the stem slides in and out but will not engage the hands even when in the correct position, the stem doesn’t snap back into position when reinserted, and the hands aren’t moving even though the battery is fine. First, what is the the correct way to remove the stem? I’m certain I did it wrong by probably pushing the wrong thing on the movement or some similar. Second, how can… Read more »

Alohajoe
Alohajoe
3 years ago
Reply to  Jack Ford

The correct way to remove the stem is push your tweezers in the hole where it says push on the movement. If you forced it maybe the setting lever got messed up. I wonder what would happen if you carefully press that post and try to reinsert the stem. Did you try anything like that? How did you get the stem out?

Jack Ford
Jack Ford
3 years ago
Reply to  Alohajoe

The stem pulls right out when I turn and open the crown.

Alohajoe
Alohajoe
3 years ago
Reply to  Jack Ford

Sorry I don’t think I understand. Were you trying to remove the crown before? What were you trying to push on the movement, the AC reset after a battery install? I’m asking because you asked how to correctly remove the crown. What were the steps that happened before the crown came all the way out?

Jack Ford
Jack Ford
3 years ago
Reply to  Alohajoe

Yes. I was trying to remove the crown so I could remove the movement to replace the crystal which shattered when I accidentally dropped the watch on my tile floor.

David
David
3 years ago

Anyone know the difference between calibre vk63 and calibre Vk63A ?

David
David
3 years ago
Reply to  calibercorner

Sorry I must be missing something, l still can’t find out what the difference is between VK63 and Vk63A … sorry

Ben
Ben
8 months ago
Reply to  calibercorner

Hi would I be able to swap a vk63a for a ronda 5040.d I know it’s not exactly the same sizes but it’s not far off cheers ben

Briantllb
Briantllb
2 years ago

VK63 hand set HB301.5

Valentin
Valentin
2 years ago

Hi i have a watch whith the vk63 movment and the cronograph function stoped working do someone know if this can be repair?

Steve
Steve
1 year ago
Reply to  Valentin

Same Here…. Chrono works, BUT only if I unscrew the crown 1st??
With both pushers unscrewed but crown still screwed in chrono does not work. As mentioned, I have to unscrew the crown than the chrono works. Not sure why.

Larry Berg
Larry Berg
2 years ago

Ferrari Scuderia 830055 uses this movement.

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[…] Undone Astro Boy is a themed watch that has a Seiko VK63 meca-quartz chronograph movement, interesting materials like forged carbon and a transparent dial, interesting […]

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[…] 1963 equipa el calibre VK63 de SEIKO, que es un movimiento meca-quartz. El calibre base es de cuarzo, pero superpuesto con un mĂ³dulo […]

Nick Cave
Nick Cave
1 year ago

Official Hesketh Racing Chronograph uses this movement.

Todd
Todd
1 year ago

Does anyone know how to center or zero the stopwatch second hand or the minute counter at the 9 o’clock sub dial? I have tried every option of pull stem and push the pushers I can think of. All my other chronos have a way to reset the hands.

finophile
finophile
1 year ago

great pages, a true reference site

Marko
Marko
1 year ago

Could a vk63 be swapped out for a ronda 5040d.
Cheers, I’m a newbe to this discipline .

Giulio
Giulio
1 year ago

Hello! I have a new Pagani Design Speedmaster V3 which uses this movement. I was wondering if there’s any chance that a similar movement exists, where the 24h hand is actually a chronograph hours counter.
Hoping to hear soon,
Giulio

Mohan
Mohan
11 months ago

I have a chinese watch which looks absolutely stunning. But the fact that it runs on a pe90 or pe60 movement bothers me alot. Is there a way i can swap these movements with a vk63?

Alex K
Alex K
11 months ago

The AVI- 8 Blakeslee Chronograph (incl. Tuskegee Airmen) use this movement. I’ve got one and I enjoy it a lot. Except for one thing: The hand lume is indeed very bright but fades pretty quickly. It may be Swiss Lume but I don’t think it’s SuperLuminova. The hands are 150/90/33 and I’m having real trouble finding the sweep second hand with SuperLuminova, either on the “arrow head” or elsewhere. Does anyone have an idea where I could look? Thank you!

Dri
Member
6 months ago
Reply to  Alex K

It is very unlikely you will use the chronograph function in the dark. So, if the chrono seconds hand is the only one you have trouble finding, I’d suggest to focus on replacing the hours and minutes hands only (those are the ones you really need to be brighter), and keep the original seconds hand.

Chad Skeeters
Chad Skeeters
1 month ago

On the VK63, the 24-hour indicator relates to time, not the chronograph movement. In other words, it doesn’t zero when the chronograph is reset, but when the watch shows the current time as noon (or midnight as you prefer).

Zachmonoda
Member
1 month ago

QUESTION:
So, when changing battery, I need to short the AC terminal with a thing referred to as “switch spring”, but what is a “switch spring”????
What part is it on the image above?
Is it maybe the spring that holds the battery in on the (+) side?

Zachmonoda
Member
29 days ago

HELP!!! What is a “switch spring” I have to short out when changing batteries?

Werlley Antonio madeira
Werlley Antonio madeira
26 days ago

Gostaria de parabenizar pelo belo trabalho de informaĂ§Ă£o para nois amantes de relogios

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