1950s Seiko 'Crown' Seikosha Cal. 560 34.5mm Steel J14096

Here we have an early, rarely seen 1950s Seiko 'Crown' Seikosha Cal. 560 34.5mm Steel J14096, launched in 1959. It was positioned between the Seiko Marvel and Grand Seiko; the technical improvements to the movement paved the way for future Grand Seikos, which eventually replaced the Crown. Featuring a 34.5mm round stainless steel case that sits comfortably on your wrist with straight, slightly tapered, flat-ended drilled lugs. Its curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 42mm and a case thickness of 10mm. On the right side, a domed coin-edged crown. Its smooth bezel holds a domed crystal above a white dial. Applied polished double and single batons mark the hours. Elegant Dauphine hands are complemented by a tapered second hand. Completing this distinctive dress watch at noon, we have the ‘Seiko Crown motif and at 6 o’clock, ‘Diashock 21 Jewels’. On the reverse, a snap on case back engraved in Japanese "Commemorative Award For The Port's Effective Performance - Japanese State Owned Railway". Inside an early manually wound Seikosha Cal. 560, 21 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour. Seiko designed this movement to be marginally larger for improved accuracy and easier maintenance. It comes paired with a well-suited 18mm strap and pin buckle.

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Seiko box or original Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with an 18mm aftermarket leather strap. The watch is from Circa. 1950s and therefore is showing signs of wear as you would expect; however, overall, it is in very good condition for its age. The caseback is engraved in Japanese "Commemorative Award For The Port's Effective Performance - Japanese State Owned Railway". The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

This is a watch I may just keep, so if it's available when you are reading this, snap it up before I change my mind. This Seiko Crown features the most delicate dial I have seen on a vintage Seiko. It's not until you look far closer that you realise the dial has subtle concentric circles like a vinyl record. The case back is also engraved in Japanese "Commemorative Award For The Port's Effective Performance - Japanese State Owned Railway", only making it more interesting. Snap it up, or don't, today!

Reference : J14096
Movement : Manually Wound Seikosha Cal. 560
Age : Circa. 1950s
Year : Circa. 1950s
Case Size : 34.5mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 42mm
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Seiko's history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori established the K. Hattori retail and repair store. In 1892, Seikosha was established to make wall clocks, and 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; 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 monopusher. Not stopping there, Seiko launched Japan's first true divers' watch, the Seiko Diver’s 150M fitted with the automatic Calibre 6217, which was later 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.