Vintage Seiko Quartz 'Chariot' Dress Watch, Ref. 7820-5060

Story

In July 1977, Seiko manufactured this watch during a decade when they single-handedly disrupted Swiss watchmaking. The tiny symbol above the six o'clock mark is a stylized quartz crystal, representing the cutting-edge technology of its day. It was a symbol of precision that people wore with immense pride.

Maker / Origin

Founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori in Tokyo, Seiko has been a pioneer in watchmaking history, most famously introducing the world's first production quartz watch, the Astron, in 1969. During the 1970s, Seiko's Suwa and Daini factories competed internally to produce the thinnest, most reliable quartz movements in the world, elevating Japanese manufacturing to legendary status.

Condition & Value

The watch dial and crystal appear to be in very clean condition with minimal scratching. There is minor surface wear and light scratching on the gold-plated bezel and the stainless steel case back, which is typical for a watch of this age. The leather strap is an aftermarket replacement but matches the aesthetic well.