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Post by leffemonster on Jul 30, 2022 2:17:21 GMT -8
My latest purchase landed today, and it’s got me a little bit puzzled. I have no idea when the watch was made, as there’s no serial number on the caseback -  Granted the caseback is very worn to the point where most of the detail is almost unreadable, but on other similarly worn casebacks I’ve got the serial number is still perfectly legible. It’s a J13055 calibre 2451 Sportsmatic, basically a 6601A, I’m guessing from the early 1960s. I believe this calibre began production in 1961. I found this image on TOF, another example of a J13055 with no serial number, posted by jim1963, which is more clearly legible than mine.  Does anyone know when Seiko started stamping the serial number on casebacks? The earliest watch I have is from 1963 - does anyone have any from earlier? |
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Post by SeikoSoMatic on Jul 30, 2022 2:51:51 GMT -8
AFAIK the S/Ns were on the inside of the casebacks for these watches, and started being stamped on the backs early in 1964. I have had a S/N of Dec. 1963 inside the back cover on 2 Champions.
Typical Seiko...in the '50s the serials were sometimes on the back and sometimes inside.
Open yours up and let's have a look!
BTW, I've never seen "Automatic" on the back under the Seahorse before...must be pretty early, I would guess.
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Post by leffemonster on Jul 30, 2022 2:57:06 GMT -8
The only stamp on the inside of the caseback is the ‘bird in flight’ symbol and ‘431’.  |
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Post by tempelkim on Jul 30, 2022 3:18:49 GMT -8
My Sportsmatic 5 from 63/64 does not have a SN as well while others with same case and dial from the same period do have one (on the inside). I thought it is because it is from a special batch for some company having an additional logo on the dial, but there may be other reasons. I think there was a hell of a lot of changes in the early sixties. Probably not always in a straight line...
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Post by SeikoSoMatic on Jul 30, 2022 3:19:39 GMT -8
The only stamp on the inside of the caseback is the ‘bird in flight’ symbol and ‘431’. That is unusual. I have a '55-'56 Unique without a S/N anywhere. |
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Post by tempelkim on Jul 30, 2022 3:59:13 GMT -8
Bit more verbose, yet no SN.  |
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Post by SeikoSoMatic on Jul 30, 2022 6:57:21 GMT -8
^^ Strange engravings there.
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vmaxnl
Timekeeper
'Small' collector of Seiko watches
Posts: 195
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Post by vmaxnl on Jul 31, 2022 11:09:28 GMT -8
Sometimes the serial is not engraved on the case, but on the movement. I have some watches, where this is the case.
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Post by leffemonster on Jul 31, 2022 12:35:24 GMT -8
Sometimes the serial is not engraved on the case, but on the movement. I have some watches, where this is the case. Nope, nothing on the movement apart from the markings on the auto winding framework. |
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HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,845 
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Post by HiBeat on Aug 1, 2022 12:48:12 GMT -8
Definitely been reported with these older J References.
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HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,845
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Post by HiBeat on Aug 3, 2022 5:19:22 GMT -8
Nick I decided to pull a Seahorse out of my junk/spares drawer to see if it too had a serial number missing. Turns out like most it was inside the inner case back.
l l
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inboost
WS Benefactor
Constantly Rodicoing
Posts: 4,757
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Post by inboost on Aug 3, 2022 7:01:31 GMT -8
Nick I decided to pull a Seahorse out of my junk/spares drawer...
That's junk  !? |
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HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,845
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Post by HiBeat on Aug 3, 2022 8:59:44 GMT -8
Nick I decided to pull a Seahorse out of my junk/spares drawer...
That's junk !? Well, the stem/crown will not stay in the watch when pulled out so until I get around to investigating (it's been a few years already!) then it sits in the junk drawer. |
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Post by leffemonster on Aug 3, 2022 10:09:48 GMT -8
Chuck it my way HiBeat - I like junk like that! |
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!?