Only
a short time after entering the watch hobby I discovered many
collectors could not be called enthusiasts if their watch was driven by a
quartz movement. Arguments against quartz ranged from the metaphysical
(“quartz watches have no soul!”) to the aesthetic (“There’s no smooth
sweeping second hand!”) and the economic (“quartz watches almost
destroyed the mechanical watch industry I so love!). The mechanical vs.
quartz debates will not be rehashed here. Rather, I wish only to share
the pleasure I have found in collecting vintage quartz watches. I focus
exclusively on Seiko quartz watches here because of Seiko’s role as the
first mover in the quartz revolution as well as Seiko watches occupying
the greatest part of my collection.
In
1969, Seiko introduced the Astron, the world’s first quartz regulated
watch. This heralded the arrival of the Quartz Revolution, or perhaps
more accurately for the Swiss watch industry, the Quartz Crisis.
While both the Japanese and the Swiss, notably Omega, developed quartz
movements in the early 1970s, Seiko most prominently featured quartz
offerings at the top of their product line. The Astron and early Seiko
VFA (Very Fine Adjusted) watches commanded the price of a small Japanese
car. In later years, the massive influx of cheap quartz movements into
world markets would destroy quartz’s technological cachet and therefore
its price premium. But in these early years, quartz movements powered
watches possessing finishing to match the best. Today, that means one
can find beautifully finished watches at budget prices. The oldest in my
collection (3803-7060, 1973)
features raised indices, delicately faceted gold hands, and a rice
paper dial one finds in Grand Seiko’s contemporary offering. It is on
par with my Grand Seikos and King Seikos from the same era. The original
bracelets also have unique designs. Seiko’s Suwa factory developed the
38 series movement, which descended from the original Astron movement.
The movement was rated for within 15 seconds per month accuracy.
As
with the rest of Seiko’s product line in the 1970s, quartz dials began
to burst with color. Seiko has always been a master of dial production,
and this Quartz QT (0823-7000, 1974)
displays their skill. Its dial has a subtle fade as it moves toward the
center with slightly raised indices and framing for the day/date
window. Just below center is the Seiko quartz symbol, which is featured
on all these early watches. During this period, Seiko began to grade
their quartz line in order of ascending quality, QZ, QT, and QR
(correspondingly 4004, 3003, and 2002 in the export market). Those who
crave different dials of deep burgundy, shaded blues, and brilliant
green will find joy in this period of Seiko quartz.
Quartz
overtook mechanical watch production through the mid-1970s, driving
huge numbers of European watch producers out of the market. And while it
continued Seiko’s success, they too had to differentiate between
mass-market Quartz watches and those of the “executive” class. Seiko
developed Grand Quartz and King Quartz watches out of their existing
Grand Seiko and King Seiko mechanical brand that had achieved so much
recognition. They featured, as already seen, high-end finishing. This
Grand Quartz (9943-8000, 1979)
has raised stepped indices that the minute hand gracefully passes
through on its trip around the dial. Beneath the center of the dial, one
can see a new “Twin Quartz” symbol that also is featured on the crown.
The movement has two quartz crystals that oscillate at different
frequencies and therefore vary at different rates at any given
temperature. By comparing the variation of the two crystals, the watch
can determine the temperature and thereby compensate for its effect on
timekeeping. These so-called thermo-compensated high-accuracy quartz watches
are able to achieve accuracy within 20 seconds per year. This
technological innovation allowed for Seiko to continue to price these
watches at a premium.
Seiko
Twin Quartz movements found their highest level expression in the
“Superior” grade of watches. The 9481 movement in this Superior Watch (9481-5000, 1980)
could produce accuracy of within 5 seconds per year, among the most
accurate watches ever produced. These are in no way throw-away quartz
movements. They were designed to be serviced and adjusted. I find equal
joy in the engineering triumph of such a movement as I do in a
chronometer-grade mechanical movement. The term "superior" extends to
the finishing with a gorgeous textured dial, cabochon crown, and
integrated bracelet of very fine mesh that is among the most comfortable
I have worn. Prized by collectors, this Superior Quartz at $275 is the
only watch featured in this article that cost over $110.
The
early 1980s found the market for quartz demanding ultra-thin movements
and watches. Those in search of a classic thin dress watch can find top
value in this period. Credor watches debuted in 1978 as high-end quartz
made of gold or platinum. Featuring the Credor logo just below 12, this
watch (6530-5620, 1985)
features the trademark thinness of the era. With a gorgeous dial that
radiates from the center, delicately faceted indices, and a diamond at
12, this watch shimmers when hit by light. It also possesses a fine mesh
integrated bracelet.
Collecting
vintage Seiko quartz appeals to me in many ways. I find each and every
Seiko quartz I own an outstanding value with finishing far above the
price I paid. I can appreciate the engineering of the top-level
high-accuracy quartz movements Seiko has presented. And as they are not
picked-over by thousands of collectors, I can enjoy the hunt on eBay or
Yahoo Auctions Japan for the models that most capture my imagination. I
have found that the hobby sits quite easily next to, not ahead or
behind, of my interest in mechanical watches. Perhaps if this short
introduction interests the reader, I’ll find myself bidding against you
soon on an obscure, interesting Seiko quartz that intrigues us both!
[Note: See http://forums.watchuseek.com/f9/seiko-analog-quartz-table-pictures-160198.html for a comprehensive list of early Seiko quartz movements]
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