Going back in time - The classic Seiko 5 automatic watch
The classic Seiko 5 7009-3040 automatic watch with blue face
virtually identical to the 4040 except the bezel is more vertical than angled
virtually identical to the 4040 except the bezel is more vertical than angled
I first became aware of Seiko watches when my uncle brought one back from the United States in the 1970's. I was intrigued with this watch which had an alarm even though I was only about 6, so I hoped one day to own one. I was mechanically minded then.
Inside the Seiko 7009-4030 - the 17 jewel engine
I had to wait until 1983 to buy my own Seiko watch, going through a selection of mechanical and digital efforts from Timex, Solus, Casio from the age of about eight onwards, I purchased a mechanical watch in 1982 just after I started working but it wasn't very nice quality and what would you expect for £17 then?
The Seiko it had to be
I thought that the midnight blue colour dial really set off the stainless steel construction and it remains my favourite colour. I think from memory it cost me £90 which was at the time about 2 weeks wages and some more.
It really was a great quality watch after my previous one, there was just no comparison. The 'made in Japan' quality was sought after around this time and was a guarantee of quality, Tokai guitars I also liked at this time had this same great build quality and finish.
The Seiko stamped clasp on the jubilee strap
later ones have the Japan word stamped on too, some have the '5' logo.
I can remember having to have the strap altered on the blue Seiko as it was somewhat too large! It was certainly a hard wearing watch and really quite accurate, I wore it for about 15 years until I had a problem with the watch and should really have had it repaired.
The nicely finished case and strap has no sharp edges
The later straps have less pieces in them and the pieces are bigger.
Nice modern design, even now it looks good.
This was designed in the early 1970's and hasn't aged in look.
I started a quest to replace my long lost Seiko 5 about 10 years ago, but I was not aware of the model number of mine from long ago. I was delighted then to see a modern version of my old one and bought one, but it just wasn't the same.
After much detective work, I managed to find one 7070....
And then another two! Now I have three!
Suddenly about a week ago, I found a Seiko 5 just like my old one in the dark blue, which I think was a rare colour back then I believe.
And then found out the magic model number - 7009-4040 the designation for the blue one just like mine. Almost immediately I found two more Seiko 5's the in blue, so took a punt and have the three, as they were reasonably priced.
Maybe buying an old Seiko 5 is a bit like turning back the clock, but I am certainly glad to have these in my collection. Although these are smaller than many current watches of the 40-45mm size - which seems the fashion and are easier to read, I do like the smaller Seiko, in fact I am wearing one now and it is keeping great time.
Another later Seiko 5 type, 21 jewels -
at the money, a good buy. No 4.
As a collectible watch, these Seiko 5's are still affordable and coming out of people's drawers after years of not being worn onto the market, so there are still some nice examples out there, also a few road worn ones too, but the prices are usually quite low, under £100 for a nice one still and £30 to 50 for quite usable ones.
But be aware, there are Seiko 5's being faked.... A lot are being done in India and are called 'Feikos' by the collectors - usually under £20 when they should be about £80 if genuinely original, some are 're-engined' old Seiko 5's and others well, just repros often using old parts. The stamping on the backs also often gives them away too, as well as the poor dial details.
Anyway, I am glad to have finally found some nice original Seiko 5s.
No comments:
Post a Comment