Seiko Crown 14036 (1959)

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This elegant 1959 Seiko Crown represents a pivotal era in Japanese watchmaking, serving as the foundational architecture that directly influenced the creation of the first Grand Seiko. Featuring a clean, minimalist no-date configuration, it is powered by the manual-winding Seikosha caliber 560 and retains its classic dauphine hands and applied indices. Brand: Seiko Model: Seiko Crown Reference Number: 14036 Serial Number: 9011575 Movement: Manual winding, Seikosha caliber 560, 19 jewels Dial: No-date dial with applied gold-tone indices Case Size: 33 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-tone, stainless steel caseback Production Year: 1959 Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: +15+17s/day, performing remarkably well. Dial and Hands The dial presents an attractive vintage patina, with light spotting scattered naturally across its surface. The applied gold-tone indices remain well-preserved, complementing the clean, minimalist layout. All printed text, including the Seiko Crown and Diashock signatures, remains crisp and highly legible. The original gold-tone dauphine hands show age-appropriate oxidation and spotting. Consistent with its refined dress watch aesthetic, the dial and hands were designed without luminous material. Case and Crystal The gold-tone case exhibits honest vintage wear with its overall geometry preserved. It shows moderate surface scratches and some visible softening along the lug edges. The thin fixed bezel displays light surface scratches consistent with the rest of the case. The watch is fitted with an unsigned knurled crown showing light wear to its plating. The stainless steel caseback retains its exterior engravings, which are faint but readable. The domed acrylic crystal is in excellent condition, remaining clear with minimal visible surface wear and no observed cracks or crazing. Movement Inside is the manual-winding Seikosha caliber 560, featuring 19 jewels. The movement is clean, with the plates and bridges showing minimal wear or oxidation, while the screw heads appear in good condition. Crisp engravings reading SEIKOSHA and 19 JEWELS are clearly visible. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher records a rate of +15+17s/day. Strap The watch is fitted with a complementary brown leather strap featuring a crocodile grain pattern. The strap shows light signs of use and completes the classic aesthetic of the timepiece. Condition Good vintage condition. The gold-tone case shows honest wear, moderate scratches, and slight softening to the lugs, while the caseback engravings remain readable. The dial and hands display an attractive, even patina with visible oxidation and spotting that suits the age of the watch. The domed acrylic crystal is exceptionally clear, and the leather strap shows only light use. Dimensions The case measures 33 mm in diameter (excluding the crown). Remarks This Seiko Crown offers a wonderful opportunity to acquire a foundational piece of Japanese horological history. Its reliable Seikosha movement, elegant dauphine hands, and honest vintage character make it a highly appealing dress watch for any enthusiast of classic mid-century design. History Introduced in 1959, the Seiko Crown was developed as a high-quality dress watch designed to improve upon the earlier Marvel line. It featured a larger balance wheel and an improved mainspring, delivering superior performance for the era. The refined architecture and market success of the Seiko Crown proved to be highly significant, as it established the technical and aesthetic foundation that directly influenced the creation of the first Grand Seiko in 1960. Payment and Shipping Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase. Your watch will be professionally and securely packaged, then shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind. We use fast express shipping, with typical delivery within 1–4 business days, depending on the destination. Please note that vintage watches may show minor signs of wear, aging, or imperfections, which are considered normal for watches of this age. We kindly ask you to review all photos carefully before bidding. We photograph each watch from multiple angles to provide the most accurate representation possible, and the photos form an important part of the description. The timegrapher assessment if provided is seen as an indication of the movement’s condition under fully wound testing conditions. As with all vintage watches, results may vary in daily use. If you have any concerns regarding functionality or defects after delivery, please contact us within 3 days of receiving the watch so we can assist you. As with all used watches, water resistance is not guaranteed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-CJX-0010