Seiko - Seikomatic-R - No reserve price - 8346-8000 - Men - 1966

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The 1960s represented a golden era for Japanese watchmaking, a period where mechanical ingenuity met refined mid-century design. The Seikomatic line was at the forefront of this movement, offering sophisticated automatic calibers housed in elegant, everyday dress watch proportions. This particular Seikomatic-R captures the essence of that era, combining a high-jewel count movement with a highly practical day and date complication, making it a compelling piece for both dedicated vintage enthusiasts and those seeking a classic, historically significant timepiece for daily wear. Brand: Seiko Model: Seikomatic-R Reference Number: 8346-8000 Serial Number: 6914830 Movement: Automatic Caliber 8346A Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices, showing visible age-related marks and localized spotting near the nine o'clock position. Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold Plated (SGP) over Stainless Steel Production Year: 1966 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest signs of wear, attractive visual character, and strong mechanical performance. Dial and Hands The dial features a classic silver sunburst finish that catches the light beautifully, providing a dynamic backdrop for the applied gold-tone furniture. The hour markers are faceted and applied, featuring striking black central inserts at the twelve, six, and nine o'clock positions to enhance legibility. A sharply framed day and date aperture sits prominently at the three o'clock position. The dial displays honest vintage character, with clear signs of aging including localized spotting and a visible mark near the nine o'clock index, as well as some light surface wear toward the center. The gold-tone dauphine hands remain sharp and well-proportioned, sweeping smoothly across the dial and complementing the applied Seiko logo beneath the twelve o'clock marker. Case and Crystal The 36 millimeter case is executed in Seiko Gold Plated material over a stainless steel base, featuring a classic rounded profile and elegantly sloping lugs. The crown is recessed at the four o'clock position, a signature design element of the era intended to emphasize the automatic nature of the movement. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, showing only light surface wear consistent with gentle use. The case exhibits clear, honest signs of wear, with visible plating loss on the sharp edges of the lugs and along the case flanks. The stainless steel snap-on caseback features the iconic Seiko dolphin motif and displays noticeable surface scratches and handling marks, affirming the watch's history of being worn and enjoyed. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko Caliber 8346A, a robust 27-jewel automatic movement equipped with the Diashock anti-shock system. Visual inspection of the movement reveals a clean and well-preserved architecture, with the signed rotor and mainplate presenting neatly. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher indicates a deviation of +10 to +17 seconds per day, demonstrating the enduring quality of Seiko's mid-century engineering. Strap The watch is fitted with a handsome brown alligator-embossed leather strap, featuring complementary contrasting stitching and a gold-tone pin buckle. The strap pairs perfectly with the gold-plated case, elevating the dress watch aesthetic while providing a comfortable fit on the wrist. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. It wears its history openly, with visible plating wear on the case edges and lugs, surface scratches on the stainless steel caseback, and noticeable aging and marks on the dial. Despite these cosmetic signs of its journey since 1966, the watch retains a highly charming overall aesthetic and benefits from a movement that is performing exceptionally well. Dimensions The case measures a versatile 36 millimeters in diameter, excluding the recessed crown. The lug-to-lug distance and slim profile ensure it sits elegantly and unobtrusively on the wrist, adhering to the traditional dress watch proportions of the 1960s. Remarks This Seikomatic-R is a wonderful representation of mid-century Japanese horology. The combination of the warm gold-tone case, the intricate dial details, and the highly capable 27-jewel movement makes it a satisfying acquisition. It is a watch that offers undeniable vintage charm, honest character, and the enduring reliability that collectors have come to expect from classic Seiko timepieces. History Introduced in the early 1960s, the Seikomatic family was designed to showcase Seiko's advancements in automatic winding technology. Positioned as premium offerings just below the Grand and King Seiko lines, Seikomatics were characterized by their high jewel counts, refined finishing, and the frequent use of the recessed crown, which signaled to the wearer that manual winding was no longer necessary. The Seikomatic-R variant, featuring the day and date complication, became a staple for professionals seeking a reliable, elegant, and technologically advanced daily wearer during a period of rapid innovation in the mechanical watch industry. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SMJ-0013