1975 Seiko Bellmatic White Dial Day Date 39mm 4006-6031

Here we have a 1975 Seiko Bellmatic White Dial Day Date 4006-6031 with a 38.5mm “UFO” cushion case. The Bell Matic was introduced for the Japanese market in 1966; it was one of the first automatic watches with an alarm and centre rotor. In 1969, to increase sales, they reduced the original 27 jewels to 17 to allow it to go through US customs without the premium put on the higher jewelled movements, crazy to think that was a tactic! The 17 jewel movements continued to be used until 1978, when the Bell Matic ceased production. The lug-to-lug of 42mm and a case thickness of 13mm ensure a comfortable fit on the wrist. At 2 o’clock on the right side, we have the start-stop button for the alarm - pull out to set and push in to stop and at 3 o’clock is a crown to adjust the time, date and inner alarm bezel. Pull the crown out to its first position, rotate counter-clockwise until the red marker points to the time you wish to set, then push the crown in to set and manually wind. A smooth bezel holds a slightly domed crystal above a White Dial. The inner rotating bezel is clearly marked with Arabic numerals and a red-highlighted window indicating the set alarm time. Elegantly applied baton indexes have black-painted tips marking the hours. At 3 o’clock, a framed day-date window. Long baton hands with lume-filled tips are complemented by a sweeping second hand.  On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the model number inside the horseshoe and the serial number engraved at the bottom. Inside an automatic Seiko 4006A, 17 jewels, with a built-in mechanical 10-second alarm mechanism. The watch comes fitted with a 20mm leather strap.

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no Seiko box or Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with a 20mm leather strap. The watch is from Circa. October 1975, and is in worn vintage condition, but overall a lovely, honest example, coming fresh from service. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Bell-Matic has always felt like peak vintage Seiko to me, clever, slightly quirky, brilliantly engineered, and still incredible value for money even today. Getting an automatic mechanical alarm watch at this price point is hard enough already, but getting one with this much character and genuine horological interest makes it even better. The little buzzing alarm complication never stops being fun to use, either. Add in the fantastic 1970s UFO-style case and crisp white dial, and it’s just one of those vintage Seikos that’s impossible not to enjoy. Add this vintage gem to your collection today!

Reference : 4006-6031
Movement : Automatic Seiko 4006A
Age : Circa. October 1975
Year : 1975
Case Size : 39mm
Case Thickness : 13mm
Lug to Lug : 42mm
Lugs : 20mm
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. 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. The Seiko Lord Marvel, introduced in 1958, was Seiko's first luxury watch, predating the well-known Grand Seiko. It was designed to rival Swiss brands with a refined design and higher specifications. In 1967, Seiko launched the calibre 5740C watch movement, a significant upgrade over the earlier calibre 5740A, which beat at 18,000, and the 5740B, which beat at 19800. This movement was special because it allowed the watch to run at a high speed of 36,000 beats per hour, making it Japan's first high-frequency watch. In fact, it was only the second watch movement of its kind in the world, following one released by a Swiss brand just a few months earlier. 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. King Seiko and Grand Seiko emerged as prominent lines within the Seiko brand, with King Seiko making its debut in 1961 as a distinguished luxury watch collection. Grand Seiko, on the other hand, has consistently set the standard for exceptional craftsmanship and precision engineering. In 1965, Seiko introduced a groundbreaking manual-wind movement featuring 25 jewels and hacking seconds, coinciding with the launch of the second-generation KSK series, which boasted sharp, angular cases and robust, flat-ended lugs. The King Seiko KCM was introduced in 1969, featuring a chronometer-certified movement that operates at an impressive 36,000 beats per hour, along with a sleek C-shaped stainless steel case. In 1975, the King and Grand Quartz brands were introduced, built at the Suwa Seikosha and Daini Seikosha factories. In 1977, a high-end Twin Quartz Cal. 92 was produced until 1979, when the 97KQ and 99KQ were introduced. The final 1981 King Quartz Cal. 94KQ movement remained in production until Seiko ended the King Seiko line in 1985. Despite the challenges during the Quartz crisis of the 1970s that led to the gradual shutdown of King Seiko production, Seiko made a comeback in 2022 by reintroducing the classic King Seiko collection. The company name was changed to the Seiko Corporation in 1990. Innovation at Seiko continues today with GPS Solar watches.