As Seiko continued to further refine and develop quartz technology in the early to mid 1980’s, many of the movements and styles produced had quite short production periods. Quartz watches had become ubiquitous in the market place, and the race to add features and decrease production costs was on. Many of Seiko’s early quartz movements were highly, if not overly engineered machines that were built to last decades and have fully serviceable components that more closely resembled those of mechanical watches. As hard as Seiko R&D might have been working to reach new achievements, things got a bit more playful on the design side. The 1980’s was a hotbed of gadgetry. The wristwatch itself had become more of a gadget than a tool for most. With releases like the “Voice Note” from Ghostbusters fame, and the many avant garde designs from Giugiaro, your watch could be as much toy as tool. On occasion however, a thoughtful execution at the intersection of those two lanes could result in something I bet you’d still be willing to strap to your wrist today. Enter the 6923-600B... This Sports 100 model caught my eye a few years ago, and I’ve been waiting on the right example to come along to share. Shrouds and case covers were par for the Seiko diving course at that time, and this little diver’s shield serves as not only protection for the case and crystal, but as a housing for its dual purpose bezel. The shroud itself is metal with a heavily textured sandblasted finish. It’s printing includes markers for the odd hours and minute chapter along the inner bevel. At the even hours are window cutouts, through which the bezel markings are viewed. On the crown side of the case is a protruding toggle that can be positioned up or down to change what is shown on the bezel through the shroud. Two bezels, one watch. You have the option of either a “count up” 60 minute, or 24 hour indicator. This model was available in two color ways, the more commonly seen black dial with a black shroud/bezel, or the rarer silver dial with silver shroud/bezel like this one from May of ‘84. Of the few I’ve ever found available, this is by far the nicest example I’ve ever seen. The dial is a silver linen with a “north to south” grain with polished and striped applied markers. The black and white hands are  easily legible, though the hour hand shows a bit of discoloration in the lume. The shroud is secured to the case by the original screws, and it, as well as the insert, shows virtually no wear. Even the crystal is the original hardlex. Both the crown and case back screw down tightly, and the bezel toggle audibly clicks into place at either setting. The original bracelet was no longer attached, but I’ve fitted it with a period correct genuine Seiko bracelet with the correct SQ clasp that nicely suits the contouring of the case. After servicing and a new battery, its keeping perfect time and all functions operate as they should. If you like your work mixed with some play, this one will be hard to beat.

Genuine Seiko Mixed Bracelet w/ Seiko SQ Clasp in Stainless Steel

(Not Original To This Watch)

Serviced 7/8/20

Diameter- 39mm

Lugs- 18mm