|
Post by akable on Mar 3, 2018 18:18:51 GMT -8
Most vintage GS models were supplied on leather straps but a smaller number of models came on bracelets. I have put together a reference that lists each of the models that were supplied on bracelets and details for these. Vintage Grand Seiko BraceletsProbably the most surprising bracelet that I came across during my research was the bracelet supplied on the international release of the 6246-9000. I was not aware of this bracelet before and would love to see an example if anyone has one.
|
|
HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,642
|
Post by HiBeat on Mar 3, 2018 19:22:29 GMT -8
Wow Anthony you have done it again. What a fabulous summary. Thanks for all you do to document the eras of vintage Seikos.
I've never seen that last bracelet in any auctions or photos either. Now I will be especially on the look out.
|
|
eeki
Timekeeper
Posts: 510
|
Post by eeki on Mar 3, 2018 23:29:35 GMT -8
Thank you for the compilation, very interesting! Probably the most surprising bracelet that I came across during my research was the bracelet supplied on the international release of the 6246-9000. Quite unique end link design there, I've never seen a BoR-bracelet like that. A related question: you mention here that there was an international release of the 6246-9000. I must admit that I was under the impression that GS models of the 1960s and 70s were actually not sold outside Japan (or at least Asia). Do you know how widely vintage GS were sold abroad?
|
|
|
Post by akable on Mar 4, 2018 2:25:43 GMT -8
I do not have details on the international sales of the vintage GS models. I only became aware of this when I found an international export catalog at the Seiko Museum during my last visit. The catalog featured full English text but did not clearly state the country of destination, but I think it would likely have been either US market or a generic catalog for all international markets. The catalog seems to have been from late 67 or 68 and it showed the following GS models.
|
|
cobrajet25
Needs a Life!
"Underweared curmudgeon!"
Posts: 3,357
|
Post by cobrajet25 on Mar 4, 2018 2:47:27 GMT -8
6246-9000Not my watch, obviously, but that bracelet certainly is cool when it's fleshed out.
|
|
|
Post by akable on Mar 4, 2018 3:54:33 GMT -8
6246-9000Not my watch, obviously, but that bracelet certainly is cool when it's fleshed out. The 62GS is always a stunning watch and a great addition to anyone's collection. Thanks for hunting down those images of the 62GS on a bracelet, but I do not believe that this is original to the watch. The bracelet pictured in this auction is different to the one in the catalog. T he center piece on the auction bracelet does not match the ones pictured in the catalog.If you look at the last photo the end pieces, while similar, are longer and do not really fit the side profile of the case. If you look at the way the end pieces fit to the back of the watch you will also note that these are very wide and shaped to locate themselves onto a case, but this does not match the 62GS case rear surface. I would also be extremely surprised if the side links of the bracelet were not solid as all of the other GS bracelets I have seen are of the highest quality. If anyone else has potential spottings of this bracelet or any other vintage GS bracelets then please let me know. Gerald from The Grand Seiko Guy identified another bracelet for the 5646-7030 (XQB240) that I have just added to the article, so it is definitely possible that there are others out there.
|
|
Thomas
WIS
Nun Gut
Posts: 1,478
|
Post by Thomas on Mar 4, 2018 4:52:04 GMT -8
Learned, scholarly work, as always Anthony! Thank you of course. The whole community benefits from your excellent research. - Thomas .
|
|
cobrajet25
Needs a Life!
"Underweared curmudgeon!"
Posts: 3,357
|
Post by cobrajet25 on Mar 4, 2018 5:30:51 GMT -8
6246-9000Not my watch, obviously, but that bracelet certainly is cool when it's fleshed out. The 62GS is always a stunning watch and a great addition to anyone's collection. Thanks for hunting down those images of the 62GS on a bracelet, but I do not believe that this is original to the watch. The bracelet pictured in this auction is different to the one in the catalog. T he center piece on the auction bracelet does not match the ones pictured in the catalog.If you look at the last photo the end pieces, while similar, are longer and do not really fit the side profile of the case. If you look at the way the end pieces fit to the back of the watch you will also note that these are very wide and shaped to locate themselves onto a case, but this does not match the 62GS case rear surface. I would also be extremely surprised if the side links of the bracelet were not solid as all of the other GS bracelets I have seen are of the highest quality. If anyone else has potential spottings of this bracelet or any other vintage GS bracelets then please let me know. Gerald from The Grand Seiko Guy identified another bracelet for the 5646-7030 (XQB240) that I have just added to the article, so it is definitely possible that there are others out there. I noticed the slight difference in the center link as well. But I'd humbly suggest that the bracelet in the catalog may be one of Seiko's infamous 'unicorns', and the production version of the bracelet just differs slightly from the rendering in the catalog (which may well be a pre-production example). This bracelet seems too close to what's in the catalog to simply write it off as an impostor?
|
|
mncz
Timekeeper
Posts: 111
|
Post by mncz on Mar 4, 2018 8:19:26 GMT -8
The end link design is admittedly very similar on the eBay listed bracelet. However, there appear to me to be some nontrivial differences.
To my eye, all of the non-'rice' links in the bracelet seen in the catalog images are much sharper, rectangular pieces. Especially with the ones on the end-links, we appear to see flat angle-cut facets transitioning from all of their main surfaces. The non-'rice' links on the eBay example all appear to have a presidential/jubilee-styled oval tapering.
Lastly, should we not think it a peculiarity that a GS-issued bracelet would have a generic Seiko signing on the clasp, as opposed to the formidable "GS" symbol?
|
|
|
Post by akable on Mar 4, 2018 12:50:09 GMT -8
I agree that the eBay bracelet does not seem to match up. The clasp design also looks to be like the 70's version found on Seikos. Also the seller states that the bracelet is not original to the watch.
I think it is possible that the original GS bracelet would have come with a Seiko branded clasp and not a GS one.
The early model GS came with Seiko branded buckles and the GS branded buckles were only introduced much later. So it is possible the same thing happened with the bracelets.
|
|
|
Post by kentkurt on May 7, 2021 8:49:11 GMT -8
Hi everyone,
Forgive me for reviving an old thread here. I have recently bought a few Grand Quartz watches from Yahoo Japan. Some of the metal bracelets are very short and I'm looking for additional links. I suspect that the same base bracelet links were used for several models, with only the clasp and end links being different. Has anyone here had success transferring links from maybe a King Quartz or Lord Quartz to a Grand Quartz bracelet?
|
|
HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,642
|
Post by HiBeat on May 7, 2021 16:51:32 GMT -8
I seriously doubt the links will interchange. They might look similar but doubtful they swap in.
What's great about the real ones are the GQ marked clasps. I have a few spare GQ bracelets which exact references are you in need of ?
What about an extender ?
|
|
|
Post by kentkurt on May 8, 2021 20:22:43 GMT -8
Hi HiBeat, Thank you for replying to my post. The two GQ SS bracelets that I already have that needs more links are stamped XBB 190. I'm also on the lookout for a GS "XQB 070" (for a 5645) and a "6145/46 800" for a 6145. I suspect these are even harder to come by. If you have any or know of anyone who does I'd be very happy to purchase. I seriously doubt the links will interchange. They might look similar but doubtful they swap in. What's great about the real ones are the GQ marked clasps. I have a few spare GQ bracelets which exact references are you in need of ? What about an extender ?
|
|
HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,642
|
Post by HiBeat on May 9, 2021 18:19:45 GMT -8
Hi HiBeat, Thank you for replying to my post. The two GQ SS bracelets that I already have that needs more links are stamped XBB 190. I'm also on the lookout for a GS "XQB 070" (for a 5645) and a "6145/46 800" for a 6145. I suspect these are even harder to come by. If you have any or know of anyone who does I'd be very happy to purchase. I seriously doubt the links will interchange. They might look similar but doubtful they swap in. What's great about the real ones are the GQ marked clasps. I have a few spare GQ bracelets which exact references are you in need of ? What about an extender ? Ok not those XQB 301
|
|
|
Post by kentkurt on May 10, 2021 10:46:39 GMT -8
Thank you for checking!
|
|