Just a few years prior to releasing their first automatic chronograph, the 6139, Seiko was chosen as the official timekeeper of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. To commemorate the occasion, two newly designed and specialized watches were introduced, and were milestones of the Seiko story. The first was the 6217 World Time, and the second was Japan’s very first chronograph wrist watch; a monopusher layout with a 60 second timer, and a rotating bezel for totaling elapsed minutes. The first model, the time-only 45899, bore the Olympic torch on it’s case back, but before the year was out a second model, the 5717-8990 would be released as well. The 5717 added a date feature, and many were embossed with the insignia of the upcoming ’66 Asian Games on the case back, as Seiko had secured time keeping duties for this event as well. These first chronographs were built on the hand wound Crown movement base and used a column wheel design, along with a horizontal coupling and clutch to drive the second hand around the dial. The single pusher worked to both start and stop the mechanism, and also served as the reset. This example from September of ‘64 is absolutely stunning. The dial is a lacquered charcoal sunburst with polished baguette markers, and a date aperture at three o’clock. Just inside each hour marker sits a small, round luminous plot, and along with luminous in the tapered dauphine hands has developed a warm khaki patina. Framing the dial is a black chapter with a white minute track, and the lettering on the dial is a minimalist print that contributes to the crisp aesthetic. The case is a clean classic. The lugs are long and tapered with a sharp bevel along the outer edge. The steel bezel sits seamlessly over top with a staggered knurling along the edge, and black enamel inlay in the engraved markings. The case back, with almost no visible wear, clearly displays the Asian Games Insignia through the center. Post service, the hand wound 5717 is keeping near perfect time, and the chronograph functions are crisp and responsive. It’s unpolished, and completely original aside from a replacement crystal, and we’ve paired it with a black “tropic sport” style strap for a sporty, period finish. If there’s a legendary piece of Seiko history shaped hole in your collection, here’s your opportunity to fill it.

CNS “Tropic Sport” Style Black Composite Rubber

Serviced 12/9/22

Diameter- 37.5mm

Lugs- 18mm