A very early Unisex Seiko wristwatch, with the Staybrite case, this will not be a watch you will find many of.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Early Seiko watches can not be dated as accurately as later ones. The first Seiko wristwatch was made in 1924, so this has to be later than that – previously they were called Seikosha, which is still on the movement of this watch. In the same year a Sheffield steelworks first named Staybrite 18/8 stainless steel, a specific type of stainless steel alloy containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel, which is stamped on the case back of the watch we have here. Given that Seiko works were commandeered for war duties in the late 1930’s we think this watch would have been made sometime between 1924 and 1939.
CONDITION
We wouldn’t be surprised if this went to a serious Seiko collector, or even to the Seiko museum. Everything appears original, and with blued hands rather than radium it is a bit more desirable than many watches from this period. Inside is a manual wind movement, the Seikosha 22, which has a sub seconds dial like the very first Seiko watch. The Staybrite case still has very crisp shut lines. The case is very small for a man’s watch, but small watches were fashionable in the 1930’s and people were also smaller. The 17mm lugs make us suspect it was a men’s watch, but it could be for a lady too. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour or material if preferred. The watch is signed on the dial and movement.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box 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 26.8 mm
Width without crown 23.9 mm
Between lugs 17 mm
Lug to lug length 29.2 mm
Case Thickness 8.6 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches and on a wrist of 150mm/6 inches.
Included with this watch is a 1 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.
