Seiko Automatic Silver Cut-out Dial Mens Watch Ssa231 Review

It's the New Yr and as many people put together resolution lists, we thought nosotros'd practice the same and kick off the year with a expect at 10 Vintage Seiko watches yous should buy right now. Our admiration for Seiko is pretty transparent – from its new releases that we anticipate each March at Basel to our many in-depth articles on classic references (and a recent wait on affordable vintage hither) – we detect that the brand from Japan has then much to offering. Some of our chosen models are extremely familiar and have been covered while some are less known, merely still pregnant. So, Happy New year's day and, in no particular order, allow's talk vintage Seiko.

Reference 6309

Seiko 6309

A list of pinnacle Vintage Seiko watches absolutely has to include the Seiko 6309. It'southward a legendary reference that continues to grow in popularity, status, and, unfortunately, price. Still, though, this chunky absorber-cased diver with a non manus-winding automatic can exist institute with just a niggling fleck of hard piece of work for around the $400 mark in original condition. We covered the pitfalls one needs to consider when hunting down this 150M diver in an commodity from 2015, but once a proficient example is found, it's such a satisfying quality piece to article of clothing. The 6309 is a Seiko that finds its way into the collections of those who more often than not adopt far more than expensive brands such equally Rolex because of the lookout man's simple, withal iconic looks and functionality. Robert-January sourced one last year and we recall Gerard is trawling the market as well – this is one contagious watch! Plus, information technology's a "go anywhere" timepiece that could serve as ane'due south only sentinel, but we're hither to talk 10 watches, right?

6139 Pogue

Seiko 6139 Pogue

Some may consider the 6139 "Pogue" to exist a bit of an eccentric selection within our top x Vintage Seiko watches listing, merely I'chiliad ready to defend the choice. Kickoff, if the "Pogue" isn't the cheapest vintage space flown watch (it went upwards with Col. William Pogue in 1973 every bit part of Skylab), it has to be in the running. Next, the 6139 was ane of the movements in the race for commencement automated chronograph in 1969 – depending on what yous want to believe, information technology can make a claim as the first – and contains a robust, column-wheel equipped movement. Adjacent, and hear me out hither, while other dial colors exist, I find the bright xanthous dial of the Pogue to be allegorical of Seiko's design language during the late 60'southward-mid 70's. It's funky and immediately signifies a dissimilar historic period, but information technology has anile beautifully. Several variations on the "Pogue" theme exist, only my proposition is to track down any correct 6139 with a yellow dial. Figure on $500 give or take and that should country yous a great vintage chronograph.

Reference 6138

Seiko 6138 "Panda" or "Kakume"

It's not necessarily fair to choose ii models as ane entry within our summit Vintage Seiko watches list, but I struggled to pick a articulate winner. The 6138 is a relative of the same 6139 but contains a second sub register and tin can be paw wound. Patently, and this is seen by its numerically earlier reference, this is the motility Seiko wanted to release first in 1969, but due to its complication, it merely wasn't ready yet. In the ii watches mentioned, particularly when it comes to the "Panda", y'all accept what are amongst the most nerveless and expensive vintage Seiko chronographs on the market.

Seiko 6138-8020 – photograph courtesy of thosewatchguys.com

The "Panda" routinely eclipses $ane,000 and the "Kakume" isn't terribly far behind. Why is this? Credit relatively classic dials evocative of Swiss brands, serious weight, build quality, and yous have a recipe for watches that probable draw in not-Seiko collectors. As always, spotter out for aftermarket replacement parts; the market is sadly rife with them. If these legends are too rich for your liking, grab any 6138 model and enjoy 95% of the feeling for less than fifty% of the toll!

Rally Diver

Seiko 6106 or 6119 Rally Diver

I know we're non listing our picks for top Vintage Seiko watches in any blazon of order, but the Rally Diver would be a real frontrunner for me. Role of Seiko'due south sport diver series, these watches are water resistant down to 70 meters. What they may lack in serious diving adequacy, though, they brand up in spades with jaw-dropping looks. The Rally Divers are well known to Seiko collectors chiefly because of their amazing "checkered-flag" rotating bezel inserts.

Seiko Rally Divers

Tack on large size, cute silver, black or bluish dials, and bulletproof automatic movements and you can see why these early on 1970'due south Seiko's stand out from the crowd. In that location'southward fiddling difference between the 6106 and 6119 movements aside from extra jewels in the latter. The more noticeable contrast comes on the punch, as 6119's are function of the "Seiko 5" serial. Bezels are prone to fading and ane has to exist mindful of ensuring the rest of the corrective parts are original, but great pieces can yet be found for around $400. I've sourced several of these for under $200 and Robert-Jan recently landed a great example at a price beneath market place. The Rally Diver…diving and archetype car themes all in 1 watch? You got it!

45-7001 King Seiko

A Hi-Beat Rex Seiko

You've read hither and elsewhere about the over-the-top quality of M Seiko new and onetime, just you've probably read a bit less almost the brand's other one-time height tier series: Rex Seiko. We've detailed a couple pieces – both a manual wind and automatic Hi-Vanquish (auto gunning at 36,000 bph) – and believe us, the quality is nigh 98% as practiced every bit a Grand Seiko.   Translating that into Swiss terms, a King Seiko trumps just well-nigh everything out there from the neutral state from the same fourth dimension frame of the belatedly 60's to mid 70's. Accept into account that good King Seiko'southward can be found for nether $600 all mean solar day long and y'all take one of the greatest dress watch bargains in the watch world.

Seiko reference 5625-7000

I mentioned a "Hi-Beat" motion considering these early pieces bring in innovation and accuracy that but a few other brands were employing. Plus, I like the razor-esque slab sided "Grammar of Design" styling and the often-establish gold medallions on the case dorsum. Look out for astringent dial staining due to moisture, merely otherwise buy with confidence as these watches run like a diesel.  Interestingly, Gerard, Blaise, Robert-Jan and I all own examples of early on King Seiko's making this the most popular Seiko on the squad.

Seiko Reference 6117

Seiko 6117 Navigator

No list of tiptop Vintage Seiko watches y'all should buy at present is consummate without the 6117 Navigator. Seiko offered this slice in several designs, but with one real abiding – a dual time zone motility that mimics the famous Rolex GMT. In Seiko's version, though, you have the choice of a model with an external 24-hour bezel, an internal 24-hour bezel and models with a rotating internal bezel that features metropolis names. The early Navigator, reviewed on #TBT, with external bezel is the simplest design and apes a sport diver model from Seiko at the time. These tend to realize the highest prices of all the Navigators with $500 – 600 now a typical cost of entry. Other models tend to sell in the $300 – 450 range and that makes them a nice bargain. Of grade, like all Seiko's, the movement is bulletproof and dissimilar catamenia Rolex GMT 1675'southward that cost fifteen-20X, this sentry contains a handy quickset date.

Seiko Reference 6105-8110

Seiko 6105-8110 Diver

The second diver to enter our list of superlative Vintage Seiko watches is the distinctively cased 6105-8110. If I expect at the family tree of professional person Seiko divers, this model is my favorite. It set the trend of large, asymmetrically shaped cushion cased divers for the brand and it'due south a design linguistic communication that is still seen today. Information technology had an innovative, but rather forgettable locking crown design combined with an iconic dial and bezel and its rugged build and capabilities also led to its popularity among Usa soldiers in Vietnam. Famously, information technology was donned by Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now. These 6105's now tend to run above $i,000 only you still find them for less at times. They're frequently constitute with heavy patina and loads of scratches – it's a big instance so information technology tends to smack into things – but they wait good with a ton of character and the trademark "waffle" strap. Here again, the motility is stellar and there's little to worry about function-wise. As far every bit iconic vintage divers become, I still consider this one to be a serious bargain.  It may have come afterward the legendary, yet traditionally styled 62MAS, but I still remember this is the 1 to have.

6159-7010

Seiko 6159 Tuna

The final diver to make roll telephone call in the top Vintage Seiko watches list is the undeniably quirky Seiko 6159 Tuna. We've covered this picket heavily hither on Fratello Watches equally both Robert-Jan and I own them. Even though it'southward a scrap impractical, that tall, shrouded titanium case makes for a tough daily wear, the Tuna is such an icon that it just might be my candidate for a response to the question of "if you had to buy one Seiko, which would you purchase?" The 1960'south and 1970's brought then much creativity when information technology came to divers and the Tuna belongs right at that place in the crowd amongst legends such as Omega'south Ploprof, Rolex'south Sea Dweller and Doxa'south 300.

Seiko 6159-7010

It was a creative solution to the needs of deep-water workers and it's a model that even so exists today – in even deeper form. 6159'southward take finally moved off the $1500 – 1800 range and now seem to cost around $two,000. They comprise rugged hi-crush automatics and outstandingly cool finishing. Still, this toll level is not insignificant, so I wouldn't look down on anyone who decides to buy the less expensive belatedly lxx's 7549-7009 (aka the Golden Tuna) as it was the first quartz professional diver. The Seiko Tuna – it's nearly like a brand on its own.

Seiko Lord Marvel 5740

Seiko Lord Marvel 5740

If the other pieces in this article spring out as "no-brainer" picks for the height Vintage Seiko watches to buy now, the Lord Curiosity 5740 probable stands out as a existent surprise. It's a simple looking dress watch that's attractive enough, just it's a case where there'due south a lot more than than meets the eye. This watch was the model that showtime showcased Seiko'southward entry into the globe of Hi-Beat 36,000 bph movements. The brand debuted their 5740 movement in 1967 which was merely ane year later Girard Perregaux introduced the world's showtime. Aside from being extremely accurate, a Howdy-Beat movement is extraordinary to sentry – the seconds hand but glides – and hear. These 5740'due south aren't big by whatever means at 35mm, only due to their pattern with decently sized lugs, they wear like a nice dress lookout and fit most wrists. Best of all, if y'all notice a cleanly dialed example, $250 should be more than enough to grab history.

If a King Seiko is still likewise much for your upkeep, this is your next best answer. For more info, friend and big-time Seiko collector Christoph McNeill wrote a really squeamish review here on WornAndWound.

Seiko 7Axx Quartz Chronograph

As our last, but not least, selection on Vintage Seiko watches to buy at present, I'm going downwards the electrical impulse path. Quartz – yes, that's correct. In 1982, Seiko debuted the 7A28 every bit the earth's first analog quartz chronograph. Today, I'd make the claim that this chronograph and its relatives, the 7A38 and 7A48, are notwithstanding highly impressive pieces of mechanism. Digital watches accept their place, but I'd argue that the 7A28, with its 15-precious stone serviceable motility, dissever timing capabilities and 1/10 second timing is masterfully congenital. I own a 7A38 – same family unit but with solar day and date – and information technology's such a well executed lookout that it easily competes with many of my favorite purely mechanical pieces.

Seiko 7A28

Somehow, with their often elegant and timeless designs, these chronographs manage to achieve something that most battery-powered watches (including many past Seiko) cannot – specifically they have heart. No matter the "7A" variant, options be for less than $200 and the chief concern is whether all the functions are operational. If not, though, they can exist serviced and returned to working order. Despite an electronic heart, these 7A's garner a lot of collector interest and good ones are starting becoming scarce.

Grandfather Tuna and Tuna

The Pinnacle Vintage Seiko Watches

Then, that'due south it for our listing of Vintage Seiko watches that you should buy at present. As noted in a recent article on affordable vintage Seiko, there are so many models out there to consider, that it's difficult to go wrong. Likewise, I am sure there are fanatics out there who could easily compile a "top 10" list for every sub-genre of vintage Seiko – there are simply that many rabbit holes ane tin can cull to explore. Of form, any fourth dimension one chooses a specific list, there's bound to be some controversy, so let's hear your thoughts on what we may have missed. Happy (Seiko) hunting!

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Source: https://www.fratellowatches.com/seiko-watches/top-vintage-seiko-watches/

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