Seiko has some pretty incredible “firsts” under their belt, and without question, we jump on every opportunity to offer you tangible connections to their amazing history. A simple digital LCD watch may not seem impressive by today’s standards, but in 1973, it was the type of ground breaking technology that could upend the entire watchmaking industry. The very first six-digit LCD display the world had ever seen was Seiko’s 06LC. It garnered attention the world over as a breakthrough technology. It marked the first time that the electrical pulses from a quartz movement could be sent straight to a liquid crystal display and converted to digits so efficiently that the time, and even the seconds, could be constantly displayed. Production was limited, and it was only available for the Japanese market, but Seiko immediately set out to refine the design further, and begin exporting LC technology to the rest of the world. Just one year later would see the release of Seiko’s first commercially available LCD watch available in the US, the 0624-5009. Known to collectors as the “Lemon Drop,” so named for the lemon yellow gel screen between the display and the crystal, they have become highly sought after pieces approaching “grail” status for many. And like the 6139, less than a decade prior, the next step was another chronograph world first; the Seiko 0634. The original digital chronograph, it was cutting edge technology that not only commanded a premium price (almost $1200 today), but was delivered in a “space age” design dripping in mid-70’s funk. Early advertising served it up wrapped around the wrist of the “Funky Junky” himself, Mr. Issac Hayes. Only the second example we’ve ever offered, this one from July of ’76 was just too well preserved to pass up. The case is a sloping block of stainless steel with razor sharp corners, and two pushers protruding just beneath the display. There is very little wear, and the factory finishes are still clearly visible. The mineral crystal is the original, and with very few blemishes, we opted to leave it in place. The left pusher activates the incandescent bulb just to left of the display that provides ample light for legibility in the dark. The display itself shows the time, the date in the upper right, and an AM/PM indicator on the upper left. A toggle on the right side of the case can be pulled to bring the watch into time setting mode, or pressed to bring up the chronograph display. The right pusher is the start/stop, and the left is used for lap timing and reset. All functions are operating correctly, and I removed and carefully cleaned all of the internal module components before installing a new battery. Attached is the brushed steel and PVD bracelet that’s another standout feature of this piece. The links are keyed and beveled so that the PVD creates a shadowing effect in the negative spaces. With most examples showing heavy wear to the PVD portions, we couldn’t be more please to offer this near perfect bracelet. Opportunities to own a 0634 in this condition are truly rare, and for any Seiko historian, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Original Seiko Tapered Brushed Steel/PVD Bracelet in Stainless Steel

Serviced 2/22/22

Diameter- 37mm

Lugs- 24mm