Category Archives for Watches

Seiko Super Runners S640-4000

Seiko Super Runners S640-4000
Seiko Super Runners S640-4000

Seiko Running Watch

Digital Saturday on a run.

Here's the second generation running watch introduced in 1995, to replace the first gen 'Runners', now this is called 'Super Runners'. This name was used since then till today on the new models. By the name, you could tell this is specifically designed for runners of all types.

The first generation was actually a typical chronograph with lapping features, equipped with large front-facing buttons, so the user could easily operate the start/stop and lap logging. Now the Super Runners, in addition it offers 4 separate channels for the logs and 120 laps per channel capacity. So the user does not need to erase previous records for starting a new session. The screen is now larger with comparatively bigger digits, and the front buttons are color coded for easy identification.

The one here is from 1997. Though it's not in perfect cosmetic condition, still having its original signed band on it, runs fine with perfect button responsiveness. Very much likely it was previously owned by a real runner, unlike me.

Seiko Sportsmatic 820 7625-8140

Seiko Sportsmatic 820
Seiko Sportsmatic 820

A Sports Watch?


A very classy watch from the '60s, the Sportsmatic is one Seiko classic that you could get easily from the market, without breaking your piggy bank.  And yes it is a sports watch.

Unlike today, we have sports watches for running, for swimming, for hiking, and so on. Back in those days, not much of a design difference was made on watches for different purposes. They had made it waterproof and maybe had it designed to stand against some shaking and vibration, then they might crown it as a sports model.  Early diver watch, introduced by Seiko in the mid-'60s, was one good example that it certainly looks like a dress watch more than what we see them today.

This 820 housing an automatic 7625 caliber, rated waterproof, with a vinyl crystal, made in 1967.  A relatively simple yet reliable movement, still working as it should be with acceptable accuracy, for a solid 51 years. 

Note the size of it, it was a pretty big watch according to the standard back in those days.  And it still looks right in size even nowadays when you compare it other new watches being sold now. Find one yourself, then you'll understand not all classic watch are fragile or expensive.  They could be affordable, stylish and tasteful.

Seiko King Quartz 5856-8010

Seiko 5856-8010

1979 King Quartz,
the end of Single Quartz Movement.


This belongs to the final year of the Seiko King Quartz lineup equipped with a single quartz, the catalog year is believed to be 1979.

This 5856-8010 is listed in the Seiko Catalog in Japan, as top of the line in the King Quartz series. A cream-colored dial in a not-so-common 8000 case.  Production year is 1978, made for distribution in 1979.

After that year, Seiko had came out with a full lineup with a series of new movement.  Highlighting their new technology breakthrough, the Twin Quartz, which brought accuracy to a whole new level.  We'll talk about that later.

Seiko 5856-8010

Seiko Ski Thermo S820-6000

Seiko Ski Thermo S820-6000
Seiko Ski Thermo S820-6000

Ski Gear


In the early '90s, Seiko came up with the idea of bringing out a line of sports watches.  Each of them would focus to target a specific group of audience of a particular sports.  The Ski Thermo showing here is one of them.

This is primarily designed for skiers with functions like multi-chrono and temperature logs.  Originally it came with a very long vinyl band with magic hooks, for wearing outside the ski suit.  And for easy operation with gloves on, the pushers on both sides are enlarged.  For mode changing, instead of adding more buttons to the plastic resistant casing, it came with a rotating bezel.  So all functions can be accessed without needing the user taking off the skiing gloves.

The highlight of this thing is the rotating bezel for mode switching. And if you take it apart you will amazed by how the bezel works to move the 4 tiny posts underneath, to trigger the 4 tiny switches in combination for the 8 specific modes on the module. Smart, really smart.

工欲善其事、必先利其器


【數碼星期六】精工Ski Thermo滑雪時計 - 90年代初期,電子跳字錶的發展已相當成熟。唯獨主要功能只限於報時、計時、和嚮鬧。歐洲與日本的生產商所提供的主流產品,功能和設計,大致相若。不同的,是日本廠商當時對微細電子科技的掌握和運用,的確相對比較靈活和創新,再配合進取的市場策略,也得到之前電腦手錶未能配合市場需求的慘痛教訓,再一次開辟了電子跳字錶的新戰線。就是推出能迎合不同的市場需要的專屬功能手錶,創造市場需求。

滑雪時計S820,就是首隻針對滑雪愛好者作為銷售對象的專屬手錶,1993年推出市場發售。徐了一些基本手錶功能以外,還能夠顯示即時溫度及自動記錄附有時間之最高與最低值、千分之一秒準度自動計時、多組計時記錄及時間差距計算,所有功能可快速地經面板上的旋轉錶圈選擇。也附設特長尼龍錶帶,可穿戴於厚厚的滑雪衣外;加大的按鈕,便於穿戴著手套,也能簡易控制,務求給用者,得到最好的使用體驗。

除此滑雪錶外,之前所提及過的賽車錶,及其他專屬功能錶款,也於同期推出,可謂百花齊放,也屬於現代運動功能專屬錶的先驅。

Seiko JDM Quartz Driver (White) 6458-600B

Seiko 6458-600B
Seiko 6458-600B

The Early Mid-sized Diver


A very well built and defined diver Seiko made in the early days they started their Quartz Divers series.  Some people said this is the baby version of the 7548 divers.  But in terms of details, the 6458 offers more than its bigger brother.

Applied hour markers is one signature of the series, and this exact markers design can still be found on today's Seiko divers.  Only available in this mid-sized series, is the white dial.  The other 3 dial variants, black, orange, and teal, are available on the 7548.  But the pepsi dial is not available on 6458 though.

Definitely my favorite mid-sized diver series.  What I don't have is the teal version, which is super rare and fetch a crazy price whenever one shows in the marketplace.  Will see. 🙂

 

Seiko Gold Bezel Digital A639-5050

Seiko A639-5050
Seiko A639-5050

Gold Silver Two-Tone


The A639 is a very simple choronograph movement.  However it's not as commonly seen out there people wearing it.

And a design like the one in the photo is rarely seen.  A gold-plated bezel, sits on a full stainless steel casing.  Then with all four gold plated pushers. The overall looks spectacular and set itself apart from the rest of the other vintage Seiko digital watches.

Seiko World Time Red Map A239-5020

Seiko A239-5020
Seiko A239-5020

One Watch,
Two Screens!


My Global Digital Saturday!

This is the 'one' watch that I never thought I could get one at the right price. They were either at an acceptable price but falling apart, or physically fine but with a ridiculous price tag. Another iconic digital watch from Seiko, the A239-5020 World Time, from 1980.

As far as I know, they came in three major variations. First, the Stainless steel with a black map. Second, the stainless steel with a green map. And third, gold plated with a red map.

The special feature of the A239 module, is the screen. It has a dual layer LCD, with one layer showing the traditional time screen with day and date. With a push of a button, it shows a completely different screen, with a red map showing different time zones. 

You can jump to different time zones by using the side buttons, and it shows the respective time of the selected zone which flashes on the map. This is one cool feature that can instantly tell you the exact time of different time zones, without the traditional way of moving needles or turning bezel. Also, it has a dual alarm, one for home time, and one for world time. No Chrono function on this though.

The case is made of stainless steel, with the alarm speaker behind the grill on top. Came with the original bracelet with Seiko clasp, also gold plated, which made the package complete and collectible. A very iconic piece in the collection, that would take a permanent spot in the box.

時間、世界時區地圖,雙重顯示


【世界數碼星期六】

又一精工極標誌性的80年代電子跳字錶,A239 World Time。當時劃時代的科技結晶,首創雙層液晶體顯示。

Seiko A239-5020
Seiko A239

在普通顯示模式下,有如一般跳字錶,顯示出家國時間星期日曆。當按下切換按鈕,第二層的液晶顯示屏隨即取代運作,顯示出包含所有時區的世界地圖,閃鑠的正是家國所屬時區。用者可使用按鈕,切換至不同時區,實時查看當區時間,非常直接及方便。也設有兩地響鬧裝置,依照不同時區的時間分別運作,用家再不用自己計算時差。

此機芯因比一般單層液晶體顯示相對複雜,問題多在於在地圖畫面層,不能有效地顯示所有時區,而未能完全正常運作。有如相中這枚的運作無誤,又顯示清晰的,相對難求,有的也可能價格高昂。

現今古董跳字,世界各地有價有市,「唔驚我無錢、只怕你冇貨」的各國買家,比比皆是。

Seiko SQ Quartz Driver (Pepsi) 7548-700B

Seiko 7548-700B
Seiko 7548-700B

The SKX Ancestor

When we talk about diver, there's one brand that always comes to our mind, Seiko.   What's so special about them?  We'll talk about that later.  But today, I'm going to show you the one series that I like the most, the 7548.

From the photo, one may say, what's so special about it.  It looks almost the same as those Seiko SKXs that were being sold on the shelves today. Yes, you are right, They looks so close, but not quite the same.  The new ones are just the grand-grand-grandchild of the one in the photo, in terms of design.  

The 7548 is the first and original Quartz diver came out in the late '70s, in this kind of diver casing. Powered by a high-torque quartz caliber 7548, a battery will keep the watch running for two to three years with stunning accuracy.  It was quite a breakthrough back in that time as most divers were still running on automatic calibers.

The 7548 came in 4 different variations on color. Black, Pepsi (as shown), Orange, and Teal.  The Teal tends to be the rarest and yet the most expensive one right now, which cost thousands in USD easily.  The Pepsi shown in the photo, is from 79, an international version.  The SQ marks on the dial shows that it was sold outside Japan.  And this is now almost 40 years of age, and it is still ticking strongly.

Price wise, they went up in price every time I checked with the auction houses globally.  Get yours, while they are still attainable and affordable.  

Seiko Galaxy 5Y31-8000

Seiko Galaxy 5Y31-8000

Galaxy? Or is it Credor?

A gold tone Galaxy with a textured dial.  This is certainly not everybody's watch with such a tone, but a joy to look at to the dial under a magnifying glass.  The print on the dial is so neat, so crisp, and so defined.

For the Galaxy series, they all carries a special series emblem as shown in the photo.  Not much info on the Galaxy series could be found on the internet. As far as I know, it is a sub brand in the eighties. Always being mistaken as Credor, since the both emblems looks very similar.  From what I could tell, the Galaxy watches are far from the Credor in build-quality, but an entry level dress watch series instead.

Despite the fact  that they are not as pricey as the credor or some other dress watches, they still looks prestige.  And at a very affordable price range.

Seiko Galaxy 5Y31-8000

Seiko Type II 7546-7060

Seiko Type II 7546-7060
Seiko Type II 7546-7060

Among the quartz series Seiko offered in the seventies,  'Type II' series offers the widest selection on dials.  This 7546-7060 is a very good example from this series. When picked this up, it came as a non-running watch, with a fogged up crystal.  I could hardly see if the dial is clean or not.

So after having the movement removed, the dial looks spectacular! And because it didn't come with a battery inside, so no instant sign of it being damaged by a leak battery.  After inserting a battery, the needle didn't move.  However, I could notice the second needle was wiggling.  Not bad.

I believe it's just the lubrication being completely dried up. So some 'exercise' on the movement could most probably bring it back to life.

The dirty crystal along with the casing, with the help of specific cleaning compound, was cleaned by an ultrasonic cleaner several times.  And the result turns out beautiful.

The dial on this 7546 is the highlight, with a sunburst blue finish, the whole thing will shine beautifully under sunlight.  Still in search for a leather to replace the Seiko bracelet shown, which should belong to a digital instead.