Random thoughts on the Seiko 4006-6031 Bell-Matic

[rockmastermike]

Vintage seiko "quirkiness" and just cool things to see

Main Crown at 3:00 - in the normal/resting #1 setting the crown winds the Alarm - not the movement. The movement is wound only be shaking/wearing



One click out (or #2 position) the crown moves the internal rotating alarm bezel around the dial counter clockwise.



Last crown position #3 shows the gasket and will move the hands for time setting - non hacking. Semi-quickset day by rotating the hour hand to 15:30 and then backwards to 21:00 and then back again will move the DAY forward.



The Alarm crown at 2:00

"Normal" position the alarm is inactive and will not "bell" while the crown is closest to the case. Pressing the crown inward to the case from this position will advance the DATE - pretty cool...pretty crisp action, too.



The Alarm pulled out - again, easy and satisfying click - will make the alarm active. Once the alarm time is set using the main crown, pull the alarm crown out - set and forget until the alarm sounds. Then re-wind the alarm via the main crown and you're good for when you need it again.



One more thing about the alarm - it's set by the hour hand, not the minute hand. Setting for 4:00 for example is straight forward and easy. Setting for say 4:45 means moving the alarm pip so the hour hand hits the marl 3/4 between 4:00 and 5:00.

Just a couple comments about the dial.....

The Applied Seiko Logo actually sits up on pegs and it not flush with the dial - this gives a really cool 3-D look. And the applied markers are Tall adding great depth to the dial.







The polished bezel against the brushed case is a lie touch and looks fantastic in normal light and stunning in bridge outdoor light





The dial is a deeeeep navy blue sunburst but changes from a flat navy in normal light to a dazzling sunburst in bright day light and everything in-between









For those who like seiko numbering on casebacks:



Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed wearing this Bell-Matic - and a shout out to Jordan at Retrowatchguy for funky vintage watches.

[earthphase]

I enjoyed your post thank you.  Question...  so the alarm mechanism does not recognize between am/pm?

[ajkrik]

Aug 28, 2017 6:23:42 GMT -8 earthphase said:

I enjoyed your post thank you.  Question...  so the alarm mechanism does not recognize between am/pm?

Yes, it does not recognize between am and pm. The max set is 11 hours (40ish) minute in advance (I believe.)
But they have an allure . . . they really can grow on a person.

[mikeyt]

Darnit, cut that out!  I have never gotten into Bell-Matics, not because I didn't like them, but because I was afraid I'd fall down that rabbit hole.  You're not helping at all, Mike.  

[rockmastermike]

Correct, there is no distinction between am/pm alarms - my apologies for mixing in 24hr time into my post. 

[lordflagpolecrabtree]

Very nice example and a great post. 7dfe79adc2f0

I find that with the alarm the only way to set it accurately is to set the hands just past the time required, then I move the bezel marker to the same point, then (gently) move the hands backwards to the correct time. This moves the marker backwards too and leaves it at the correct time. I then set the hands to the right time and wind the alarm. All you have to do then is actually remember to pull the button out.

[philsinclair]

Hi. Buy these while you can.Price wise these are probably the most under rated Seiko out there. They are a class watch. The 21j version is rare. Cheers Phil

[rockmastermike]

Aug 28, 2017 10:39:40 GMT -8 lordflagpolecrabtree said:

Very nice example and a great post. 7dfe79adc2f0

I find that with the alarm the only way to set it accurately is to set the hands just past the time required, then I move the bezel marker to the same point, then (gently) move the hands backwards to the correct time. This moves the marker backwards too and leaves it at the correct time. I then set the hands to the right time and wind the alarm. All you have to do then is actually remember to pull the button out.

Brilliant - thanks for the tip!

[rockmastermike]

Thank you, everyone for the kind words.

[tritto]

Nice Bell' you have Rockmaster. They're a bit of fun, and I've had a few.

[Rod]

Aug 28, 2017 10:39:40 GMT -8 lordflagpolecrabtree said:

All you have to do then is actually remember to pull the button out.

I've never done that before  well only once..

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2017 14:14:39 GMT -8 philsinclair said:

Hi. Buy these while you can.Price wise these are probably the most under rated Seiko out there. They are a class watch. The 21j version is rare. Cheers Phil

The 4005/6 movements are in the same quality range as the 4xxx that you find in the KS. They are beautifully made and they are super reliable

Edit: I think we may have just started a price rise for these watches

[Rod]

These are nice...

1967 Business Bell


Nov 1966 Diashock, scollop cased.

[ausimax]

Aug 29, 2017 9:34:51 GMT -8 @penguinbce said:

The 4005/6 movements are in the same quality range as the 4xxx that you find in the KS. They are beautifully made and they are super reliable

Edit: I think we may have just started a price rise for these watches

Yep, a very helpful post just as I am bidding on one