Reply With QuoteAs a Seikoholic I could get very interested in early Seiko quartz. Worth looking out for I reckon, and bound to appreciate in value in due course.
In the rarified world of those collectors, who either have had lots of luck or money those very first, very rare seiko quartz models are obtainable.
But due to the few that were produced, and the manner in which some were introduced to the market, these models are not IMO, true production peices, in that they were not widely available even back then. Aside from the first 100 Astrons , the 35sqw and 36 series watches totalled less than 3000 pieces
That said even when the more mass produced models were introduced in 71, they still had somewhat of a limited market still, due to the hefty price tag.
This 38 serie calibre was introduced in 1971 by the Suwa factory, though this particular example, a 3803-7050 is dated 1973.
It bears the designation 2002, I am unsure to what this relates, but there were subsequent models bearing the 3003 and 4004 tag.
Price, I am led to believe was around $1000, so about 4 times the price of the Speedmaster or Submariner.
Yet this little peices of horological history can be found today languishing for relative peanuts.
With an original accuracy spec of 15spm, I can happily report that she is still performing pretty much to this spec, in fact somewhat better.
The case is typical of the period, with strong angles and polished surfaces, sadly I do not think the bracelet is the original as the quality is not on par with other peices I have owned or seen from this period or indeed price point. That said it matches well.
The dial is somewhat striking, and hard to capture or even explain the finish...its a bit satiny, brushed & distressed all at the same time.
Case consturction on these is a little complicated, whilst the battery is accessible via the hatch at the back, to remove the movement both the bezel and back have to be removed.
I will endeavour to do this when my hand has fully recovered and get some pics from inside.
Last edited by keitht; 16th October 2013 at 16:30.
As a Seikoholic I could get very interested in early Seiko quartz. Worth looking out for I reckon, and bound to appreciate in value in due course.
Lovely Keith! I've never seen a 2002 in the flesh.
I'm quite into early Seiko quartz as well - not as heavily as you mind!
I actually have a pair of 4004 Quartz which are candidates for a dial swap in the near future.
The cream dial one is working perfectly, top shape with original bracelet but an awful dial. The blue one is utterly goosed - not even got a caseback for it - but the dial is near mint!
When I'm feeling brave I'm going to pull them apart and attempt surgery!
Definitely a rather intriguing dial there. I presume it's aged over time.
Last edited by markrlondon; 17th October 2013 at 15:50. Reason: Fixed typo
First 2002 I've seen there. Very nice, Keith.
I've a few 4004's and a couple of VFAs amongst other early Seiko quartz. They can be got for peanuts as you say, and are very charming in their own way.
and in the perspective of wis-watches they fit the bill wáy under even wis radar ;-)Originally Posted by rsykes2000
Thanks Keith for sharing these jewels every now and then.
Very interesting Keith, thanks for posting.
Has the dial gone a bit mouldy or is it supposed to be like that?
Difficult to tell from the pics.
Fantastic, although I'm pleased they developed their ergonomics with time....that battery wart on the caseback looks like it would do your wrist bones a serious mischief!
Here's one in excellent condition. Strong money for it, though, as with everything on this website :
http://www.retro-watches.co.uk/watch...ef-nov0916.htm
I would like a VFA for peanuts!
I'd like a 2002 too.
Oh dear, being a Seikoholic Seikopath is getting more and more complex and expensive.
Who cares anyway? I love it so much I just can't stand it!
Does that make me a WIS?
Well, the VFAs I own weren't quite in the 'peanuts' range of things to be perfectly honest. Not expensive though.
However the 'peanuts' range definitely encompasses things like my 0822-8020 from April '75 which I'm wearing today.
Lovely linen dial, very nice condition for a 38 year old watch, working excellently, 32 quid delivered from America. A bargain, I reckon. (The genuine lizard strap was extra - like most Seikos of the era, it's 19mm lugs).
The lightning bolt symbol (under the large applied quartz symbol) means it was from the Daini factory rather than the Suwa one, unlike a lot of the Suwa releases, this one has a very plain press-on back rather than the screwed back with battery hatch of the Suwa variants.
Last edited by rsykes2000; 18th October 2013 at 14:07.
Slight deterioration probably, here's what it would have looked like originally
Here's my earliest Seiko Quartz
Cheers Dunc, nice looker.Slight deterioration probably, here's what it would have looked like originally
Apologies for the delay with the movement pics.
Did a little group shot.
3803 A (15) , 3863QR both from 73 (20), and almost identical movements and a 4633 from 76...which shows the progression made with the early Seiko movements.
The 38 series was introduced in 71 from the Suwa factory. It was quite a large family consisting of around 12 calibres. with a range of accuracy from 10 to 20 secs per month.
Interestingly, the 4633-5019 shares its rather clever case construction with the earlier ( and very expensive ) 71 3923 VFA...as I am sure other later models do.
A good example of trickle down tech.
Great to see the movements, it always amazes me why on nearly all quartz watches you see, the delicate coil is so exposed and vulnerable to damage....
Cheers..
Jase
A good point Jason.
In the instance of these three examplse, a pic of the casebacks would have been helpful as they all have battery hatches, therefore the components are all safely tucked away.
The movement is most times not even accessible from the rear and access is from the front. The coil is in reality encased in steel.
Thanks for the fotos Keith; a feast for my eyes!
I kind of meant generally speaking, I have a fair few Seiko 7548 quartz dive watches and changing the cell on these is a tricky business, Ive seen no end of 'dead' ones due to coil damage, but I take your point that these particular ones were better protected...
Cheers..
Jase
Thats true Petrus, many of the early Seikos especially are constructed as you say.
In the cases of these 3, the 2 38 series peices have threaded rings at the back, much like the 214 Accutrons, of which the removal of facilitates access to the movement.
The 46 series, by contrast, requires the removal of the bracelet, so one can access the spring clips in either lug.
The whole case drops out from the top part then.
Removal of the crystal and bezel as one, then the rather substanial rubber gives access to a small lever to remove the crown.
Once removed the dial and movement assembly can be tipped out.
I will add some additonal pics when I reassemble the 4004.
That will have to wait though as the 3863 needs my attention as she does not run sadly.
Most times a very unfortunate result of removal of the case back by the owner with more force than experience.
This is more an unfortunate side effect of the ease of diy ´service´ which the manufacturer assumes will be done by a trained watchmaker.
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