This date only King Quartz is different to most of the Seiko KQ range of the time, and has the original bracelet too. Model reference 5855-8000 or QHC020.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
From the serial number on the case back we can accurately date this watch to being made in May 1977. At the time it cost ¥51,000, which was more than double the cost of a Seiko automatic chronograph, or their Bell-Matic alarm watch.
CONDITION
Seiko were the first to launch a quartz regulated watch, which they did on Christmas day 1969, and they changed the watch industry and what customers wanted. Almost every brand followed suit, recognising that mechanical watches were expensive to make and maintain next to their quartz rivals, and could not be as accurate either. But quartz watches became cheap and disposable, and this gave them a bad name in the 1980s. This King Quartz though is from a different era, where making the best quartz movements rather than the cheapest was still the aim. The Grand Quartz models were the most accurate, but the King Quartz were not shabby either – this watch is running at +0.33 of a second per day fast now. We will install a brand new battery before sending the watch out to the new owner. The dial has an almost linen pattern to it, but it is a little too geometric to be linen. There are a couple of small marks on the dial, but the glass is faultless. The original bracelet, reference XOB040, is full length and has a sliding clasp, making adjustment easy without the need for special tools. The bracelet has been cleaned in our ultrasonic bath. The watch is signed on the dial, case, movement, crown and clasp.
This watch will be supplied with our branded reusable presentation travel case and our Certificate of Authenticity.
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 37.5 mm
Width without crown 36.9 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 40.5 mm
Case Thickness 8.9 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 210 mm. The bracelet is easy to size without the need for special tools.
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.
