Seiko - 5 Sports Speed-Timer Chronograph - No reserve price - 7017-8000 - Men - 1971

Now available at auction from Second Vintage This remarkable Speedtimer chronograph represents a fascinating chapter in the fierce internal rivalry between Seiko's Suwa and Daini factories during the golden age of mechanical watchmaking. Produced by the Daini Seikosha division, the 7017 caliber was an engineering marvel of its time, boasting an incredibly slim profile for an automatic chronograph and featuring a sophisticated flyback mechanism. Paired with a highly legible pulsimeter scale and the coveted Speed-Timer designation, this timepiece captures the essence of 1970s sports watch design, offering collectors a mechanically significant and visually arresting vintage instrument. Brand: Seiko Model: 5 Sports Speed-Timer Chronograph Reference Number: 7017-8000 Serial Number: 171290 Movement: Automatic Caliber 7017A, 21 Jewels Dial: Matte black dial with orange pulsimeter scale, applied indices, and highly preserved original printing Case Size: 40 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1971 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a remarkably clean dial and sharp case lines Dial and Hands The matte black dial presents in stunning vintage condition, free from heavy spotting, moisture damage, or significant degradation. It features applied faceted baton hour markers with intact white luminescent plots at their inner tips, adding excellent depth and texture to the display. The classic white baton hour and minute hands retain their matching luminescent material, contrasting perfectly against the dark background alongside the prominent orange central chronograph seconds hand. A day-date aperture is cleanly framed at the three o'clock position, utilizing crisp white typography over black discs. The outer periphery is defined by an inner ring featuring a highly legible orange pulsimeter scale marked "PULSIMETER BASE 15" and a precise white minute track. All factory printing, including the crisp "SEIKO 5 SPORTS" typography, the orange "Speed-Timer" script, and the iconic Daini Seikosha lightning bolt logo, remains perfectly intact and beautifully preserved. Case and Crystal The robust 40 mm stainless steel cushion case retains its strong factory geometry and imposing wrist presence. The case architecture displays a beautiful transition between the brushed upper surfaces and the polished case flanks, exhibiting honest handling marks and superficial scratches consistent with standard vintage wear. The lug profiles remain sharp and well-defined, avoiding the over-polished look often seen in watches of this era. The flush-mounted crown at three o'clock is flanked by sturdy pump pushers at two and four o'clock, all operating smoothly. The domed crystal provides an unobstructed and clear view of the dial, showing only very minor signs of careful use. Turning the watch over reveals a solid screw-down caseback with deep, crisp factory engravings, clearly displaying the Seiko branding, the Daini lightning bolt logo, the reference number, and the 1971 serial number. Movement Powering this timepiece is the historically significant Seiko Caliber 7017A automatic chronograph movement, clearly stamped with 21 jewels and the Seiko Japan signature on the winding rotor. Visual inspection of the movement reveals clean bridges, a well-preserved rotor, and intact mechanical components. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. Timegrapher results indicate a performance of -40 to -48 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-appropriate black leather strap featuring contrasting white stitching, which perfectly complements the dial markers and enhances the sporty aesthetic of the chronograph. Condition This timepiece is graded in excellent vintage condition. The visual highlight is undoubtedly the exceptionally clean and well-preserved dial, which shows virtually no signs of the typical aging or moisture intrusion common to 1970s chronographs. The case shows normal, honest wear with light surface scratches but maintains its structural integrity and original finishing contrasts. The hands, indices, and inner pulsimeter ring remain vibrant and distinct, making this a highly attractive example for vintage enthusiasts. Dimensions 40 mm case diameter (excluding the crown). Remarks The 7017-8000 Speed-Timer is uniquely compelling due to its specialized pulsimeter scale, originally designed for medical professionals to quickly measure a patient's heart rate. The absence of a continuous running seconds hand gives the dial a clean, focused layout, while the concealed flyback function allows the user to instantly reset and restart the chronograph sweep hand with a single push. This specific configuration, complete with Daini Seikosha provenance, remains a highly sought-after prize in the vintage Japanese watch collecting community. History Introduced in late 1970 by the Daini Seikosha factory, the 701x family of movements was developed as a direct response to the legendary 6139 caliber produced by Seiko's Suwa division. Daini's engineers focused on creating a thinner, more streamlined automatic chronograph, achieving a remarkable height of just 5.9 mm. To achieve this, they omitted the minute register and continuous seconds, but cleverly incorporated a flyback mechanism, a feature typically reserved for high-end aviation chronographs. The "Speed-Timer" branding was exclusively applied to Japanese Domestic Market models, representing Seiko's premier line of sports chronographs aimed at a dynamic, active demographic during an era of rapid technological advancement in mechanical watchmaking. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SSS-0001