1978 Seiko Grand Quartz 'Twin Quartz' 35mm 9943-8030
Ref: 9943-8030
Specification
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and, therefore, comes with no original Seiko box or paperwork. It comes paired with a well-suited 19mm leather strap. The watch is from Circa. July 1978 and is sold in worn vintage condition, but overall fair condition, with some patina around the edge of the dial, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rVlUKSWpHnK8PDvieUfjG9UgezMapKe_?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 22:30 - https://youtu.be/Zn77B3bW_DE
The Watch
Here, we have a 1978 Seiko Grand Quartz 'Twin Quartz' 9943-8030 that has a 35mm stainless steel case. Its comfortable tonneau shape leads to flat-ended stubby lugs. Chamfered flanks sit perfectly on the wrist with a lug-to-lug length of 41.5mm and a case thickness of 11mm. On the right side is a signed coin-edged crown. A slim bezel holds a bevel-edged crystal above a white sand texture pattern dial. An outer minute track surrounds slender applied polished baton indexes marking the hours. At 3 o’clock, a framed day/date with Kanji day. Slim baton hands are complemented with a tapered seconds hand. At 12 o’clock, an applied Seiko with Grand Quartz printed below. At 6 o’clock, an applied Twin Quartz logo signifying Two quartz oscillators and the whirlpool logo indicating it was manufactured at the Suwa Seikosha factory. On the reverse, a battery hatch for easy battery change. Inside a Quartz Seiko Cal. 9943, this quality movement was their first Twin quartz and was manufactured in 1978. It comes paired with a well-suited 19mm leather strap.
Personal Note
There definitely seems to be a resurgence of vintage Seiko Quartz watches among collectors, and rightfully so, they look great and are super affordable for what you get. This 1978 'Twin Quartz', reference 9943-8030, features a wonderfully textured dial and a great case shape that wears great on the wrist. I would not hesitate to add this to your collection today!
The Brand
Seikos history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori established the K. Hattori retail and repair store. In 1892 Seikosha was established making wall clocks. 1895 saw the production of their first pocket watch. 1913 saw the launch of their first wristwatch, the Laurel. In 1924, the first Seiko was manufactured. Daini Seikosha (now Seiko Instruments Inc.) was established in 1937. Seiko was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1949. The Suwa factory became independent and formed Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corporation in 1959). In 1956, Seiko launched Marvel as their first true in-house made watch, and they continued to make this watch until 1959. Japan’s first chronograph watch was introduced for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics; it was called the Seiko Crown Chronograph, a monopusher. Not stopping there, Seiko launched Japan's first true divers watch, the Seiko Diver’s 150M fitted with the automatic Caliber 6217, which later was given the nickname “62MAS” by collectors. The company name was changed to the Seiko Corporation in 1990. Innovation at Seiko continues today with GPS Solar watches.