More evidence the 1960’s and 1970’s were a golden era for Seiko is evident in its long-running 700X line – like this silver 1969 Seiko 7005-8030 here, with hour indices reminiscent of high-end Grand Seiko. Seiko debuted the 700X line in 1969 and produced it until the 1990’s, when it was replaced by Seiko’s famed 7S26 line.
The 7005 line features Seiko’s Magic Lever winding system, allowing the automatic rotor to gather energy in a bi-directional fashion. Of note, the earlier versions of the 7005 line, like this one, did not suffer from plastic parts (which caused later models to suffer in terms of accuracy), and is all metal in construction.
The 700X line came in several sub-variants, which included the 7005 here, as well as the famed (and much feiko'ed) 7002, 7006, and 7009 - all of which are almost identical and share numerous parts in common (which also makes watch servicing easier and inexpensive). The 7005 is date only, with the 7009 as a day/date and 7002A date only (and with a different auto winding weight).
When comparing the 7S26 to the 7005, the lineage is more than a bit obvious. That said, there remains much in favor for the 7005 vis-a-vis the 7S26 movement, as the calendar mechanism of the 7005/9 remains superior in design and construction, and the overall quality of finish on the 7S26 is substantially lower than its predecessors.
This 7005 comes with on a generic vintage bracelet, and with nylon strap, spring bar tool, and rugged travel case.
1969 Seiko 7005-8030 Automatic, w/Vintage Bracelet
DIAL: Silver/white Seiko-signed dial and applied hour markers, no blemishes. Applied hour indices are strongly reminiscent of the famed (and much more expesive) Grand Seiko line and add substantial depth to the dial. Date function works as designed.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 38mm x 41mm, with matching caseback; case lines remain sharp.
CRYSTAL: Acrylic domed crystal, scratch and crack-free.
BAND: This 7005 comes on a generic vintage stainless-steel bracelet, which will accomadate up to an approx. 7.75 inch wrist; it also comes with a blue, red, and white nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 17-jewel 7005A automatic movement, beating at 21,600 bph, manufactured in March 1969.
CROWN: Unsigned stainless-steel crown, almost entirely recessed.