My third Seikomatic-R, this one is a "first-year" 1965. >>>
Apr 19, 2015 9:16:18 GMT -8
lordflagpolecrabtree, sweffymo, and 1 more like this
Post by Thomas on Apr 19, 2015 9:16:18 GMT -8
Hello folks,
I saw another 30 jewel Seikomatic-R up for auction, in wonderful condition, which had very different hands and hour markers than my other two, and was from the first year of production, 1965.
So I put in a fairly low bid, and here is the EMS bag from Japan!
Ahh, the grocery bag! I know which of my top 4 sellers this is from!
As expected, I get the local newspaper next!
Then the bagged bundle of bubble wrap.
Here is what was inside the bubble-wrap. No skimping on the amount of bubble-wrap, if you compare how small this is to the bundle in the previous picture.
There it is, my 1965 Seikomatic-R 8306-8001, with a 30 jewel 8306A movement, running at 18,000bph, that hand-winds and also automatic. The date quick-sets at the first "out" crown postion, but you have to swing the time from 9pm to 1 am and back, to semi-quick-set the day of the week. Nicely, during the day semi-quick-set the date does not move, so you don't have to worry about which one to set first.
This picture is not as crisp or high contrast as the wrist-shot below, but you can see the hands and hour markers on this example are more "baton" style, where my 1966 and 1967 examples both have a more classic dauphine style hands and broader hour markers. It is interesting that this first-year model has what I might call a more modern hand/marker style compared to the subsequent releases.
It is also hard to see the fine, sunburst dial texture in this picture, but I think you'll see it well in the wrist-shot below. You do get to see the interesting textures of the aftermarket "Bear" brand bracelet, which fits me nicely and I think looks really good.
Here is the crown side.
And a picture of the "other" side.
Is there a standard name for this side? I have trying out "subject" and "common" to contrast with the "royal" crown side, but someone commented that they thought this side was called the "case" side. Do you have an opinion?
A shot of the clasp of the Bear bracelet.
And a picture of the case back.
Obviously a well-worn watch, but the condition of the case, crystal, dial and hands is just superb.
Here is a good picture of the watch, with a "fitting" executive, working man's shirt that fits the role of this medium-high grade Seiko watch.
So now I have a 1965, 1966 and 1967 example of the Seikomatic-R series. Well made, well designed, working man's watches. Thanks for looking!
- Thomas
