Vintage Seiko Type II Watch 7123-5030 — Brown Gradient (1978)

The TV case and caramel gradient of the late 1970s This Seiko Type II watch, reference 7123-5030, produced in 1978, can be worn equally well by a man or a woman, with a 36mm steel case whose so-called TV shape — rectangular with very rounded corners — immediately signals the late 1970s. The case middle alternates brushed surfaces and polished edges, and the integrated steel bracelet extends the case without visual interruption, according to the design that Seiko was then applying to its high-end ranges. The dial is the element that sets this example apart. It adopts a gradient ranging from light caramel at the center to a deep coppery brown at the periphery, with a vertical satin finish that shifts the tone depending on the angle of the wrist. The applied baton hour markers and polished hands reflect the light across this warm background. The sloped gray rehaut bears a printed minute track that frames the whole and enhances the depth. The day-date window, at three o'clock, displays the day alternately in Latin characters and in kanji — a signature of pieces intended for the Japanese domestic market. The Q logo of Seiko Quartz and the inscription TYPE II appear at six o'clock, accompanied by the lightning-bolt pictogram of the range. The 7123 calibre powering it includes two functions that entry-level quartz watches did not offer: independent quickset correction for the day and date, and hacking seconds, which stops the seconds hand when setting the time and allows exact synchronization. The Type II range was launched in 1976, at the moment when Seiko was shifting its prestige collections from mechanical to quartz: these watches temporarily occupied the place left vacant by the mechanical King Seiko and Grand Seiko, with the same level of case and dial finishing. Three points to note Caramel gradient dial — a warm shade rarely seen on this reference, which is generally found in linen gray or blue. Day display in kanji — the window alternates between Latin and Japanese characters, marking a piece produced for the Japanese domestic market. Case TV case and integrated bracelet — the most characteristic design of the late 1970s, with complete continuity between the case and the wrist. Why choose a vintage Seiko watch? Buying a vintage Seiko watch rather than a new model means gaining access to a historic Japanese manufacture at a controlled budget, with pieces whose construction has already stood the test of nearly fifty years. Vintage quartz watches from this period are also the easiest to maintain on the pre-owned market: a battery change is enough to get them running again. The Type II range occupies a precise place among vintage men's and women's watches: its 36mm diameter and 8.6mm thickness make it a vintage dress watch that can be worn equally by both. Pieces produced for the Japanese domestic market, recognizable by their kanji display, were never officially distributed in Europe, which explains their relative rarity on this side of the world. Like all our pre-owned Seiko watches , it has been opened and checked by our watchmakers: verification of the calibre and its consistency with the reference, serial number check, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Every Japanese vintage watch we offer comes with an invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and lifetime guaranteed authenticity. → Discover our Seiko vintage watches → View our selection of Japanese vintage watches Technical specifications Brand: Seiko Model: Type II Kanji Reference: 7123-5030 Serial number: 8N2442 Year: 1978 Origin: Japan Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex) Movement: Japanese quartz, Seiko 7123 calibre (2 jewels) Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day (Latin and kanji), date, quickset, hacking seconds Case: Steel, TV shape with rounded corners (steel caseback) Dimensions: 36mm (37mm with crown) Lug to lug: 40mm Thickness: 8.6mm Lug width: 19mm Crown: Steel, original Dial: Caramel brown gradient with vertical satin finish, applied indices, sloped grey rehaut, original Hands: Polished steel, baton shape, original Crystal: Mineral (condition 9/10) Bracelet: Steel, integrated, adjustable, 17.5cm, original Buckle: Steel, original Condition and guarantee General condition: Good state of preservation. The gradient dial is even and perfectly legible, the indices and hands are intact. The steel case shows marks and signs of wear, particularly on the middle case and bracelet, consistent with the age of the piece. The Crystal has a fine scratch on the lower part. Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch) Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee Mechanics: Checked quartz movement, new battery, guaranteed for 1 year Included: Invoice Atelier Victor, travel case Not included: Original box and papers Frequently asked questions Why is the day displayed in Japanese characters? This piece was produced for the Japanese domestic market. Its day disc has two sets of characters, Latin and kanji, which alternate with each changeover. The crown allows both series to be scrolled through in order to choose the desired display. These watches were not distributed through official channels in Europe, which makes them uncommon on the Western market. What is meant by a TV case? The term refers to a rectangular shape with very rounded corners, whose silhouette evokes the cathode-ray television screens of the period. This design marked the late 1970s for most manufactures, before the return to round shapes in the following decade. Paired with an integrated bracelet, as seen here, it creates complete continuity between the watch and the wrist. Does the 7123 calibre offer any particular functions? Yes. It allows quick and independent correction of the day and date, without turning the hands. It also features a hacking seconds function: pulling the crown stops the seconds hand, allowing time-setting synchronized to the exact second. These two functions were not standard on quartz watches of the period. Is a vintage Seiko watch a safe purchase? It is, provided that authenticity is established and the condition is described without reservation. Our watchmakers systematically open the case to verify the calibre and its consistency with the reference, and inspect the dial, hands, and all components. Every pre-owned Seiko watch sold by Atelier Victor comes with an invoice serving as a certificate of authenticity, a one-year guarantee, and lifetime guaranteed authenticity. Is this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist? With a width of 36mm, 40mm Lug-to-lug, and a thickness of 8.6mm, it suits wrists measuring approximately 15 to 19cm. Its slim profile allows it to slip easily under a cuff. The bracelet measures 17.5cm and remains adjustable by removing links; we can take care of this before shipping if you let us know your wrist size.