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. Introduced in 1983, the 7A28 was the worlds first analog quartz chronograph, and to say they got it right is an understatement. Solid construction, “fly by wire” circuitry, and a hefty 15 jewels make for a finely tuned machine that can be adjusted to dial in performance, and allows for the replacement of worn components. The same can’t be said for most of the quartz movements seen even today. A year later, in 1984, the 7A38 was introduced. Just like its predecessor, the design allowed for three sub registers: one measuring minutes, another is the designated seconds, and a 1/10th second totaler. The center seconds is stationary unless the chronograph is engaged, at which point it measures elapsed seconds for the chronograph. In addition, there was now a day and date window nestled neatly into the 1/10 second sub register. Either can be set independently via the crown in the second position. Along with this new feature, a whole host of new designs were also introduced. 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 few years, the collectibility of these 7A models has undeniably taken hold, and it’s easy to see why. This example from January of ‘88 is an HCV first, and a bold gold reference I was largely unaware of until its recent arrival. As a “Sports 150” model, it is a bright blend of beauty and brawn with practical features packed into a bold appearance. At 39mm, its a standout on any wrist, and sure to garner attention. The case is, for the most part, neatly tucked away beneath the thick coin edge bezel that rotates smoothly in either direction. The insert is a bright white inlay with neat black print that sits beneath an acrylic ring with a glossy finish. The dial is a smooth flat white black print, and plenty of polished gold accenting. The hour and minute hands are a perfect pairing to the applied markers, as they are long and straight batons serving as a frame for the luminous windows that stretch from tip to tail. The seconds totaler for the chronograph offers a bit of contrast with a soft satin finish, and the sub register hands are tipped in black for ease of legibility. The bracelet is an integrated design with an east to west finish across the contoured “H” link design. It’s unpolished and completely original aside from a replacement crystal, and the original plating shows almost zero visible wear through or discoloration. Post service the movement is keeping perfect time, and all functions are operating as they should. If a great gold chronograph housing one of Seiko’s finest is on your list, this one will be hard to top.

Original Seiko Integrated “H” Link Bracelet

Serviced- 12/24

Diameter- 39.5mm

Lugs- N/A