Seiko 5 automatic old models serial number#

While Seiko would become associated predominantly with stainless steel cases, in 1960 many were still gold- or even chrome-plated, so check the plating is in good shape before buying – it often deteriorates and wears away. All are manually wound and easily serviced due to their relative simplicity and similarity with established, contemporary Swiss technology. Good examples of each can easily be found below $500.

These designs are all typified by round cases, simple lugs and brushed silver dials with silver or gold applied indices. 1960įor those born in 1960, Seiko were still making a number of three-hand dress models carried over from the 1950s, for example, the Seiko Marvel, Seiko Crown, Seiko Chronos and Seiko Champion. The 12 months are denoted by 1-9 for January to September, ‘0’ for October, ‘N’ for November and ‘D’ for December. The following list is just a small sample of models introduced each year, noting along the way, the more important releases. Seiko models were typically manufactured for 5 to 10 years after introduction, so if a watch is described herein for a year before your own birth year, the chances are that with a little searching you will find the same watch but for a later year.

Seiko 5 automatic old models serial number#

And what about a 1970s Seiko Sports diver with serial number 3N4823? We know that it was made in November 1973. So, what can we tell from a 60s Seiko dress watch with serial number 628970? We can infer that it was manufactured in February 1966. The remaining numbers of the serial number (4 or 5 depending on model) simply form an incremental counter that we don’t need to be concerned with. The second digit of a Seiko’s serial number specifies the month of manufacture, allowing the determined collector to find his or her birth month watch. A period watch catalog showing some of the Seiko watches available in 1968.

The serial number does not indicate the decade in which the watch was made, but a guide like the one you are reading can help with that by indicating the years in which various models were available.ĭating vintage watches is often complicated and sometimes requires significant deductive powers combined with a deep knowledge of the brand. A watch made in 1983 will have a serial number that starts with 3. So a watch made in 1971, will have a serial number that starts with 1. The first digit of the serial number is the year of the decade in which the watch was built. On the back of every Seiko watch is a serial number that can be used to date the year of production of the watch. There is one brand, however, that makes identifying birth year vintage watches simple. The search for birth year watches provides another reason – as if any was necessary – to search for more cool vintage watches.ĭating vintage watches is often complicated and sometimes requires significant deductive powers combined with a deep knowledge of the brand. Imagine the gravitas such a watch would have as a jewel in one’s collection. How much easier would it be to justify the cost of a birth-year watch. “Imagine if I could just find that Rolex Sub, you know? With that dial that I really dig but that was also made in the year or even the month of my birth. Tales of $25 Rolex watches bought at the local thrift shop or found at the bottom of a battered box of worthless non-runners at an estate sale reverberate through our mind, urging just one more search, one more click’ deep into the early hours of the morning. The thrill of opening the next box or clicking the next link to see if it might be hiding something different. We love a chase don’t we? Watch enthusiasts I mean. Collector Guide Birth-Year Seiko Watches: 1960-1969