Though we typically only offer vintage mechanical watches, it’s hard to ignore the allure of a quartz watch that started a revolution. At a time when quartz meant LCD displays and designs so far removed from tradition that they were hardly recognizable as wrist watches, Seiko took a step backwards in order to bring watch design forward. The 7A28 was the worlds first analog quartz chronograph, and to say they got it right is an understatement. The 7A28 is a 15 jewel movement devoid of a single piece of plastic. It can be regulated to dial in performance, and was built in a way that allowed for the replacement of worn components. The same can’t be said for most of the quartz movements seen even today. The design allows for three sub registers: one measuring minutes, another is the designated seconds, and lastly a tenth of a second totaler. The center seconds is stationary unless the chronograph is engaged, at which point it measures elapsed seconds for the chronograph. If you are unfamiliar with this movement, we can all but bet that a little research will have you ready to track down your own. In the last couple of years, collectibility for these models has skyrocketed, and this variant, along with its golden dialed counterpart, sit at the top of the 7A28 “most wanted” list. No doubt in part, due to their less than subtle resemblance to the 6139 “Pogue” models. We certainly appreciate that Seiko chose to revive its iconic styling to mark the milestone of another technological achievement. The dial of this early example from March of ‘83 is a rich silver blue sunburst with a soft matte finish and polished applied markers. It remains in beautiful condition and blemish free aside from some very light fading around the 1, 2, and 4 o’clock markers that’s only visible at certain angles. The original luminous material has a mixed patina throughout. The hour and minute hands are white batons with tapered tips, and the chronograph hands are a pale yellow that contrasts nicely with the dial, and makes them easily legible at a glance. The chapter ring is a a fixed “count up” style with minute hashes that flow seamlessly from the dial. The bezel is well proportioned with a sleek low profile and an all too familiar insert. It does show some moderate wear, but has retained its color and the markings are are all clearly visible. The case is an angular tonneau with crisp corners and hooded lugs and though it has visible wear, the factory finishes have remained intact. The original bracelet has been lost to time, but we’ve paired it with a similarly styled, period correct Seiko bracelet from another model. It has a seamless tapered fit at the end links, and a nearly identical brushed finish. The sliding clasp makes it fully adjustable and able to be comfortably fit to most wrist sizes. With few examples hitting the open market, acquiring one of your own is more difficult than finding its mechanical predecessor. A rare treat and only the second example we’ve had the opportunity to offer, this one is sure to go fast and be a favorite in any rotation. 

Period Correct Genuine Seiko Replacement Bracelet in Stainless Steel

Serviced 1/12/20

Diameter- 40mm

Lugs- 20mm