Especially when it comes to bargaining for a better price for that new, old stock (NOS) Seiko that caught your fancy.įile photo of a typical watch store in Kuala Lumpur. And if you have that knowledge, you have an edge over the seller that could be very useful. Well, I’m a firm believer that knowledge is power. They’re more interested to get a sale from you rather than discuss the history or significance of that Seiko watch that you’re looking to purchase.

From my experience many Seiko dealers aren’t watch enthusiasts themselves. You can’t really blame them for not knowing because watch sellers are in the business of selling watches, period. Either that, or they’ll come up with an excuse for not knowing by saying that it’s a new arrival (yeah, right!) 🙂 Chances are if you ask watch store assistants when that particular Seiko watch you’re interested in buying was made, you’ll get a blank expression from them.

Well, in case you didn’t know this, the answer to this question actually lies in the set of numbers that are etched or printed on every Seiko watch made. Congratulations! Have you ever wondered when your watch rolled off the assembly line at the factory? In other words, when was it manufactured? Questions relating to the production date of Seikos frequently pop up in various watch forums from time to time. New movement and case model number system.So, you’ve just purchased a used or new Seiko watch. Runs from 8xxx? to 17xxx.Įarly movement and case model number code system - using first 2 digits of 3-digit movement number, plus a 3-digit or 4-digit case code. 'J' pre-fix to the numerical digit indicates an extra fraction of a ligne, probably 1/2 a ligne. Seiko Unique (Daini Seikosha), Seiko Marvel (Suwa Seikosha), Seiko Lord Marvels with Marvel-base mvovement (Suwa Seikosha), Seiko Cronos, 6105s (Suwa Seikosha).ĭial diameter in lignes and fractions of lignes system - 5 numerical digits, with the first numerical digit beginning in 1. Non-date serial number system - new SEIKO 5 SPORTS.

Some stainless steel Seiko Uniques and Seiko Marvels. No case serial number and no movement serial number: No case serial numbers but with movement serial number Most serial numbers are year-month, but some earlier ones from the 1950s and 1960s are month-year (do month-year 6105s go into the 1970s?) Seikos can have an 8-digit serial number, 7-digit serial number, 6-digit serial number, no case serial number but with movement serial number, no case serial number or movement serial number, or a new non-date serial number system.

Seiko serial number checker