A high beat 1969 Grand Seiko with a manual wind movement and gold capped case? Yes please! Model reference 4520-8000 or 45GS.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
From the serial number on the case back we can accurately date this watch to being made in February 1969. The case back is also stamped water proof – 1969 was the year this was phased out and replaced with water resistant.
CONDITION
This 45GS was seven times more expensive than a standard Seiko manual wind watch in the 1969 catalogue, so what did you get for your money? Put simply, the best Seiko could offer! The movement is a hand wound, 25 jewel calibre 4520A and beats at 10 beats per second – twice the rate of a standard watch for a smoother seconds hand sweep (seconds hands don’t sweep, but jump round the dial in small increments. This watch has more little jumps, giving the impression of a smooth sweep). Unlike a lot of Grand Seiko watches, this one has no calendar at all. This gives the dial a simpler layout, and can be a bonus if you have more than one watch you like to wear as you never need to set the date up! The case is stainless steel with a layer of solid gold capping the top of the case. There is a small dent on the gold capping on the top right lug. The crown is the signed original, but worn, and the buckle is a later Seiko item but not from Grand Seiko. The acrylic crystal has a couple of small marks around the edge, but not enough to warrant changing it for a generic crystal. The gold medallion on the case back is complete and secure, when many have been lost. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour or material if preferred. The watch is signed on the dial, case, movement, crown and buckle.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
This watch has been checked against the Watch Register and has not been reported as lost, stolen or implicated in fraud, and a copy of that certificate will also be included.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 38.9 mm
Width without crown 36.5 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 42.8 mm
Case Thickness 9.8 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
