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Post by ianmedium on Oct 20, 2014 22:33:20 GMT -6
For $21! A vintage Seiko quartz chariot with an 8 jewel all metal movement. Its in mint condition and I am not sure why it went for so little as there is hardly a mark on it apart from a small scratch on the case back. Its the dial though. I think its stone and i love the shade of blue with the striations!
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 20, 2014 23:23:35 GMT -6
Just finished dating this one and its from November 1979 so within the quartz golden age by three years. Here is a shot of what the movement looks like (from another watch) And for the sharp eyed notice to the right of the Seiko name is a trimmer pot to adjust for accuracy.
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Baco Noir
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Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Oct 21, 2014 6:53:57 GMT -6
By trimmer pot' are you meaning potentiometer? I guess I never thought about how you'd adjust accuracy in a quartz watch, but that would make sense.
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 21, 2014 9:08:24 GMT -6
Thats it Roger. On the higher end quartz watches, even the non high accuracy ones from Japan they seem to have this feature though I am told its a brave man that dabbles with it without the right equipment! I am going to go through the catalogs today. I went through 1979's and did not see this model so I am guessing its a 1980 model year seeing as how the movement was introduced in 1979. I have found out that the dial is indeed some sort of stone though I am not sure what type.
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 21, 2014 10:36:30 GMT -6
Not that it matters but it is fun, I just found this one in the 1980 Catalog and price in 1980 was ¥75,000 which comes out today allowing for inflation at a touch over $2000!
Score! I also noticed that it is on the original strap looking at it. If the strap is not too short I will try to feed the leather and see if I can use it, not bad for the cost of 5 Starbucks grande lattes!
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 21, 2014 10:45:44 GMT -6
So this keeps getting better! I have found the same model with a silver dial and the seller in Japan decoded the catalog description. The crystal is sapphire and the case is not stainless steel but something more exotic sounding! Silver Hard Alloy Cobalt. Here is the listing for the one sold which also had its box and went for a great price as well considering the cost. This one was ¥69,000, a little cheaper than mine and I am guessing that is purely down to the more exotic dial on mine! www.ebay.ca/itm/Old-stock-1979-SEIKO-Quartz-watch-Chario-6020-5270-Hard-alloy-Sapphire-/190999449295i think I have found out what the stone used for the dial is, Blue Agate.
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Post by carl on Oct 21, 2014 18:46:01 GMT -6
Well done yet again, Ian! Love the shape of this one as well. The agate dial and the compound used on the case make for a very interesting piece indeed. Cheers, Carl
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Baco Noir
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Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Oct 21, 2014 19:26:39 GMT -6
The wave pattern in the agate is lovely. I didn't notice it until I zoomed in on the photo, then it became very prominent. I wonder how it will appear IRL.
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Post by carl on Oct 21, 2014 19:31:01 GMT -6
The wave pattern in the agate is lovely. I didn't notice it until I zoomed in on the photo, then it became very prominent. I wonder how it will appear IRL. Hopefully, I will be able to tell you when I see Ian on Saturday!
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 21, 2014 19:49:31 GMT -6
Oh I wish Carl. The seller shipped it from Japan today so I doubt if I will see it until a couple of weeks time. Though I do have one or two others for you to have a look at! Roger. I noticed in the catalog picture that the pattern was different which was the first clue as to it being stone. Each one is different and I think I got lucky on the pattern with this one. It was a total fluke as well. Last night I did my usual scan of eBay but forgot to put in watches for the search. I will make sure to not put watches in any more as there were so many listings that were not there when one used watches as the search including this one. It had an hour to go and was at $11. I did some quick research (luckily there is a wealth of info out there for vintage Seiko Quartz including a calculator where you enter the movement number and the serial number and it comes up with date of manufacture. I still did not know what I was really getting but I really liked the shape and dial so put in a maximum of $25 (oh boy, am I lucky. I had know what I know now I would have put in a much higher maximum!) but lady luck was on my side! Here is the listing with more pictures. Bless him, the seller only graded it B/C I think because the strap has a kink in it! I really think unlike he quotes that the strap is the original. It looks identical to the one in the catalogue! Oh and it was $21.50 I won it for, not $21 as I mentioned! www.ebay.ca/itm/371165758519?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649I am so glad others out there don't take the time to research, I got a veritable bargain with this one! Oh and i can tell from the little mark at the bottom of the case back this was made in the Suwa factory where they made most of their higher end watches.
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 22, 2014 9:17:28 GMT -6
Wow! Just looked at the tracking and its already left Japan. I might actually get this one before the end of the month!
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Post by rw16610 on Oct 22, 2014 21:46:26 GMT -6
Ian, have you ever considered writing a book (or formal articles online) about collecting watches? You've provided a wealth of knowledge and insight to myself and I'm sure many others here as well.
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 22, 2014 21:57:53 GMT -6
Thank you Rommel, that is so kind of you to say. I have said it before but will repeat it 80% of the fun in this is the research and history of the watches I go after. I must admit a number of friends have said the same as you to me. Who knows, perhaps one day I will!
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Post by rw16610 on Oct 24, 2014 15:25:48 GMT -6
I look forward to the day you decide to share this passion and knowledge with the masses so to speak. I've been a watch freak for my entire life virtually yet only realized recently all I've overlooked thanks to your posts. Always interested to see what Ian has on the way! The post man (or woman) must know you very well by now!
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 24, 2014 16:26:18 GMT -6
I must admit when the Crystron arrived the other day the postie did say I see you have another watch!
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