Seiko - Laurel - No reserve price - 14025 - Men - 1960

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This elegant mid-century timepiece represents a beautiful era of Japanese watchmaking, combining refined dress watch proportions with a robust and reliable manual-winding caliber. The Seiko Laurel line carries immense historical weight for the brand, and this specific example is elevated by a fascinating presentation engraving on the caseback, awarded by the Japanese Minister of Transport in 1960. With its charming cursive dial typography, sharp dauphine hands, and classic styling, it offers a wonderful opportunity to acquire a piece of Seiko history with tangible provenance. Brand: Seiko Model: Laurel Reference Number: 14025 Serial Number: 0512404 Movement: Manual winding Seikosha, 17 jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied baton indices, showing faint localized spotting Case Size: 33 mm Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1960 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and attractive preservation Dial and Hands The watch features a classic silver dial finished with a subtle radial sunburst texture that catches the light beautifully. The typography is a standout characteristic, displaying the elegant cursive serif text of the Seiko Laurel branding below the twelve o'clock position, complemented by the distinct Diashock 17 Jewels script above the six o'clock mark. The dial furniture consists of faceted, polished applied baton indices, which are doubled at the twelve o'clock position for clear orientation. Time is indicated by a set of sharp, polished dauphine hands that remain entirely free of luminous material, maintaining the pure dress watch aesthetic. Upon close inspection, the dial exhibits some faint localized blueish spotting and minor surface marks, primarily concentrated near the center and the three o'clock sector. The outer minute track dots and the Japan factory text at the very bottom edge remain crisp and fully legible. Case and Crystal The 33 mm stainless steel case features a fully polished finish, a smooth sloping bezel, and elegantly tapered lugs that provide a graceful profile on the wrist. The case shows honest signs of wear, with light surface scratches and handling marks consistent with its age and regular use, yet the lugs retain their fundamental shape and structural integrity. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, presenting a clear view with only minor superficial wear. The snap-on stainless steel caseback is a particular highlight, featuring a deep and crisp presentation engraving in Japanese characters denoting an award from the Minister of Transport dated 1960. The caseback also clearly displays the factory reference number 14025 and the serial number 0512404. The fluted crown remains easily accessible for daily winding. Movement Powering this timepiece is a beautifully preserved manual-winding Seikosha caliber featuring 17 jewels. The movement is visually clean, with the brushed metallic bridges proudly bearing the Seikosha 17 Jewels engraving. The ruby jewels are clearly visible, set precisely into the plates, and the balance wheel and hairspring present in excellent visual order. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. Timegrapher results show a variance of -40 to -44 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a period correct style black textured leather strap, detailed with contrasting white stitching along the edges. It is secured with a polished stainless steel pin buckle, complementing the bright finish of the case. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. The case exhibits normal vintage wear with moderate surface scratches, while the caseback engravings remain remarkably deep and legible. The dial shows attractive aging with some visible faint spotting and surface marks that do not detract from the overall vintage charm. The movement is clean and fully operational. Dimensions Case Size: 33 mm excluding the crown Remarks A charming and historically intriguing dress watch that perfectly captures the aesthetic of early 1960s Japanese horology. The combination of the cursive Laurel branding and the official governmental presentation engraving makes this a compelling piece for collectors of significant vintage Seiko models. History The Laurel name holds a prestigious place in Seiko's archives, originally introduced in 1913 on Japan's very first wristwatch. When Seiko revived the Laurel designation in the late 1950s, it was applied to a series of elegant, reliable, and beautifully designed manual-winding dress watches intended for the discerning professional. During this post-war period of rapid industrial growth, Seiko watches were frequently chosen as official presentation gifts by the Japanese government and major corporations. This specific example, awarded by the Ministry of Transport in 1960, stands as a testament to Seiko's esteemed reputation for quality and precision in mid-century Japan. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SLJ-0176