Top 4 Best Seiko Vintage Watches in 2023 + Their History

Seiko is considered one of the best watch-making brands in the world, but it was not always like this. As we know, watches in the form that we know today, were invented in Europe. So, what happens when a brand from an island in East Asia, far away from the watch companies, becomes so famous and popular?

In this article, we will briefly review the history of Japanese watches and the foundation of the oldest Seiko watches.

Spoiler: they were not wristwatches! Stay with us at Saatsaz Watch, to also learn about the Best Seiko Vintage Watches that collectors are looking to get their hands on them.

History of Seiko Vintage Watches

Before we get to the story of Japanese vintage Seiko watches, we will go back in time to the industrial revolution in Europe. In 1854, Japan got introduced to steam-powered transits, such as Locomotives. In the 1870s, they could make their own trains and railways; thus, better ways of timekeeping and scheduling were needed. So, their traditional clocks, known as “Wadokei“, and their lunar calendar had to be changed and they started importing timepieces from Europe.

Just over a decade later, a watch enthusiast from Tokyo named Kintaro Hattori decided to make his own timekeeping watches and this led to the foundation of Seiko. At that time, his brand was called “Seikosha” which means “The House of Exquisite Craftsmanship” in English.

In Japan, Kintaro Hattori is considered a legend because of his dedication. After all, he was the man that visualized Seiko retro watches and brought them to reality while other shops in Japan were still importing timekeeping devices.

The Origin of Old Model Seiko Watches

The Seiko‘s first products were not wristwatches. They started their watch-making journey by making clocks; but not the typical on-desk clocks of that time, by inventing vertical “Wall Clocks”. Seikosha preferred manufacturing clocks to pocket watches because they had high demand, were easier to make, and were more cost-effective at that time and soon they became the main clock manufacturing company in Japan.

Best Vintage Seiko Watches in 2023

There are many great vintage Seiko watches to choose from, depending on your style and preferences. Here are a few notable options:

1. Seiko 6106-8229 Rally Diver Vintage Watch

The Seiko 6106-8229 is a vintage watch that was produced in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a diver’s watch that features a distinctive “rally” style dial with large hour markers and a rotating bezel.

The watch has a stainless steel case that measures 41mm in diameter, which was considered large for its time. The case is water-resistant to 70 meters and features a screw-down crown to ensure water resistance.

The dial of the Seiko 6106-8229 is black with contrasting white hour markers and hands. The hour markers are large and easy to read, and the hands are coated with luminescent material for visibility in low-light conditions. The dial also features a day and date display at 3 o’clock.

2. Seiko 6117-8000 Navigator Vintage Watch

The Seiko 6117-8000, also known as the “World Time” or “Navigator” watch, is a vintage timepiece that was produced in the 1960s and 1970s. It is known for its unique multi-timezone display that allows the wearer to track the time in multiple locations simultaneously.

The watch features a stainless steel case that measures 40mm in diameter, which was considered large for its time. The case is water-resistant to 50 meters and features a screw-down crown to ensure water resistance.

The dial of the Seiko 6117-8000 is black with contrasting white hour markers and hands. The dial also features a rotating 24-hour bezel, which can be used to track a second-time zone. The inner bezel of the watch features the names of cities from around the world, along with their corresponding time zones. The wearer can rotate the inner bezel to align the desired city with the 24-hour hand, allowing them to track the time in that location.

3. Seiko 6159-7010 Tuna Vintage Watch

The Seiko 6159-7010, also known as the “Tuna” due to its distinctive shape, is a vintage dive watch that was produced in the late 1970s. It is known for its rugged construction, unique design, and reliable performance.

The watch features a large, cushion-shaped stainless steel case that measures 48mm in diameter and 15mm in thickness. The case is water-resistant to 600 meters and features a screw-down crown and case back to ensure water resistance.

The dial of the Seiko 6159-7010 is black with large white hour markers and hands, which are coated with luminescent material for visibility in low-light conditions. The watch also features a unidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale, which can be used to time dives or other activities.

4. Seiko 6139-6002 Pogue Vintage Watch

The Seiko 6139-6002, also known as the “Pogue,” is a vintage chronograph watch that was produced in the 1970s. It is known for its iconic yellow dial, unique design, and historical significance as the first watch worn in space by an American astronaut.

The watch features a stainless steel case that measures 41mm in diameter and 14mm in thickness. The case is water-resistant to 70 meters and features a screw-down crown and pushers to ensure water resistance.

The dial of the Seiko 6139-6002 is yellow with contrasting blue and red subdials, which give the watch a distinctive and colorful appearance. The dial also features a day and date display at 3 o’clock, and the hour markers and hands are coated with luminescent material for visibility in low-light conditions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Seiko is a brand with a rich history of producing high-quality and innovative watches. Over the years, Seiko has introduced many iconic and highly collectible vintage watches, ranging from diver’s watches to chronographs and world-time watches.

Vintage Seiko watches are known for their durability, reliability, and unique designs. They are highly sought after by collectors and watch enthusiasts, who appreciate the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation.

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