Vintage 1964 Seiko Seikomatic Slimdate – 30 Jewels – Cal. 840 (Ref. 8305-0010)
$13.18
$22.14
Description SEIKO vintage mechanical watch MADE IN JAPAN “Seiko” (精工) is a Japanese word meaning “precision,” “exquisite workmanship,” or “refined craftsmanship.”It comes from the characters: 精 (sei) – fine, precise, refined 工 (ko) – craft, workmanship Originally, Seiko’s watchmaking division was called Seikosha (精工舎), meaning “House of Precision.”In 1924 the company shortened the name to Seiko, keeping the core meaning. So the brand name literally ties directly to the idea of precision engineering—which is exactly what the company wanted to be known for in its watches. ️ Seiko Seikomatic line overview The Seiko Seikomatic line was a flagship series of high-quality automatic watches produced primarily throughout the 1960s. It represented Seiko’s transition into the modern era of self-winding timepieces, bridging the gap between everyday watches and the ultra-luxury Grand Seiko line. The Seikomatic Line: The “Business Class” Ancestor Seikomatic was designed for the “modern business professional” of the 1960s. Its most iconic design choice was the recessed crown at the 4 o’clock position. Because the movement was so efficient at self-winding, Seiko believed the wearer rarely needed to use the crown, so they tucked it away to create a sleek, “crownless” silhouette that wouldn’t snag on shirt cuffs. The Name: It’s a portmanteau of “Seiko” and “Automatic.” At the time, automatic winding was a high-tech feature, so Seiko branded these watches to highlight that they didn’t need manual winding. The Design Philosophy: Seikomatics were designed for the “New Lifestyle” of the 1960s—aimed at office workers and professionals. They were known for having no visible crown (the crown was often tucked away at the 4 o’clock position) to emphasize that the watch was fully automatic and didn’t need to be touched. The “Weekdater”: The most famous Seikomatic is the “Weekdater,” which featured a full day-of-the-week window, usually at the 6 o’clock position. This was a massive status symbol for business people in the ’60s. A masterclass in mid-century Japanese horology. This April 1964 Seikomatic Slimdate features the rare 30-jewel Caliber 840 movement and a stunning “Special Dial” (SD) with gold-tone baton indices. Engineered for the 1960s executive, the “Slim” profile and recessed 4 o’clock crown offer a sophisticated silhouette that fits perfectly under a modern dress shirt. The “Executive” Heritage Before the Grand Seiko line dominated the high-end market, the Seikomatic was Seiko’s flagship automatic range. The “Slimdate” variant was a specific technical achievement from the Suwa Seikosha factory, designed to prove that a high-precision automatic watch didn’t need to be bulky. Technical Excellence: Caliber 840 At the heart of this timepiece is the 30-jewel Caliber 840 (later known as the 8305). While many contemporary watches utilized 17 or 21 jewels, Seiko utilized 30 rubies in this movement—primarily in the automatic winding bridge—to minimize friction and maximize the lifespan of the winding rotor. Aesthetic Condition Dial: An immaculate silver sunburst dial. It features the sought-after “Spinner” logo and applied gold-tone indices. Case: Original Seiko Gold Plating (SGP) with a sharp, defined profile. Shows honest character-building wear consistent with its 60-year history. Crown: Subtly recessed at the 4 o’clock position to emphasize the automatic winding capability. Detailed Specifications Attribute Detail Brand Seiko Model Seikomatic Slimdate Year of Production April 1964 (Serial: 4407843) Movement Automatic Caliber 840 (30 Jewels) Beat Rate 18,000 bph Case Material SGP (Seiko Gold Plated) Case Diameter Case Height Approx. 36mm (Excluding Crown) Approx. 42mm (Lug to Lug) Lug Width 18mm Crystal Acrylic Strap Black Leather (Padded) Watch went through a complete service by a professional watch tech and keeps good time. Condition Note This is a genuine vintage timepiece from 1964. While the movement is clean and running well, please note that vintage watches are not recommended for water exposure. The gold plating shows light brassing on the high points of the lugs, adding a warm, authentic patina that only comes with age. Comes with padded leather strap included. (*)Note: Stock bracelets are often shortened by previous owners and may not fit you(see bracelet size in the product images). We recommend adding a new Seiko lug width matched leather strap with your order. This watch ships from Ukraine with tracking number Modes of payment: PayPal Credit Cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) We guarantee that the item in this ad looks and works as advertised and offer money back guarantee on this. Best with Seiko lug width matched leather straps: 18/19/20mm About the watch factory Seiko Group Corporation (セイコーグループ株式会社, Seikō Gurūpu kabushiki gaisha), commonly known as Seiko, is a Japanese maker of watches, clocks, electronic devices, and semiconductors. Founded in 1881 by Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo, Seiko introduced the world’s first commercial quartz wristwatch in 1969. Seiko is widely known for its wristwatches. Seiko and Rolex are the only two watch companies considered to be vertically integrated. Seiko is able to design and develop all the components of a watch, as well as assemble, adjust, inspect and ship them in-house. Seiko’s mechanical watches consist of approximately 200 parts, and the company has the technology and production facilities to design and manufacture all of these parts internally. Seiko offers one of the widest ranges of watch technologies in the world—quartz, kinetic, solar, mechanical, and Spring Drive—spanning everything from affordable everyday pieces to six-figure haute horlogerie. Over the decades it has launched multiple global brands, including Lorus, Pulsar, and Alba, while elevating its prestige through innovations like Spring Drive, which helped push Seiko into higher-end territory. In the 2010s, Grand Seiko and Credor were separated into fully independent luxury brands, while Seiko’s own global lineup now includes Grand Seiko, King Seiko, Prospex, Astron, Presage, and Seiko 5 Sports, with Credor remaining primarily Japan-focused. Among Seiko’s key lines, Seiko 5 (born in 1963) is the gateway mechanical series known for durability and value; Lord Matic defined 1970s style with faceted crystals and colorful dials; Astron remains Seiko’s flagship GPS-solar tech line; Presage focuses on traditional mechanical craftsmanship with enamel and urushi dials; and Prospex delivers professional-grade dive, field, and pilot watches often embraced by enthusiasts. At the top end, Grand Seiko emphasizes precision, Zaratsu polished design, and movements like Spring Drive, while King Seiko—revived in the 2020s—brings back sharp, elegant 1960s styling with modern calibres. Finally, Credor represents Seiko’s pinnacle of artisanal watchmaking, producing low-volume pieces in precious metals and showcasing Japanese decorative arts and haute complications from the Micro Artist Studio. Beyond watches, Seiko has also produced various electronic devices and, historically, jewelry and eyewear—though those divisions have since shifted to other companies.
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