1969 was one of the most spectacular in Seiko’s storied history. That year, it released the world’s first automatic chronograph, the Calibre 6139 and the V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) movement – which delivered Seiko’s highest yet level of precision for a mechanical movement.
Seiko would release another first upon the world, the first quartz wristwatch - the Seiko Quartz Astron, which went on to change the way the world told time, and severely tested the dominance of the Swiss, bringing high technology within the reach of all.
As the world got accustomed to the novel new Astron technology dominating the market in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Seiko was hard at work on its next innovation to challenge Swiss watch industry dominance, developing the Superior, Grand Quartz, King Quartz and eventually the Type II lines – like this 1979 Seiko 7123-8070 SilverWave diver, with its spectacular silver starburst dial, a Japanese Domestic Market (Japan only) quartz watch.
Immediately obvious on the Seiko 7123 SilverWave here is the vibrant silver starburst textured dial that changes colors depending on the position of wearer wrist. Even the black handset mirrors the design of the dial’s hour indices.
Add in the Seiko 7123 quartz movement with its known accuracy, day-date with quick set, screw-down crown, unique rotating bezel, and hacking feature and you have a watch that stands out on the wrist.
This Seiko SilverWave diver comes on its original stainless-steel bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, springbar tool, and original Seiko 7123 instructions manual.
1979 Seiko 7123-8070 SilverWave Z Dive Watch, w/Original Bracelet
DIAL: A fantastic silver starburst Seiko "SilverWave Z"-signed dial, with matching hour, minute, and second hands. Applied stick hour indices and reflective chapter ring provide the dial with an intriguing depth, and their black color matches that on the handset.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 38mm x 40.5mm, with sharp case edges. Rotating dive bezel works as designed, and features light UV fade, with all script and minute marks fully legible.
CRYSTAL: Hardlex crystal in great condition, with no scratches or edge chips.
BAND: This Seiko SilverWave comes on its original Seiko-signed stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 7.5 inch wrist; it also come with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Two-jewel Seiko 7123 quartz movement, manufactured in January 1979; movement hacks, as designed.
Of note, this Seiko 7123 SilverWave diver comes with an original Seiko 7123 instructions manual, in both Kanji Japanese and English.