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 line, like this one here – an exceptional near new-old stock full set 1978 Seiko 7123-8020 Type II dress watch, with its spectacular emerald dial and atypical faceted crystal on its original Seiko bracelet, and with Seiko 7123 instructions manual, hang tags, Seiko plastic insert bag, and Seiko box.
Immediately obvious on the Seiko 7123 Type II here is the vibrant emerald dial and faceted crystal shimmers and changes shade of green depending on the position of wearer's wrist. Add in the 7123 quartz movement with its known accuracy, day-date with quick set, and hacking feature and you have a watch that stands massively out on the wrist.
Seiko utilized the Type II designation on select quartz watches to indicate its mid-line quartz offerings from 1976 through 1984, peaking in 1979 when nearly 100 different Type II watches (!) were on offer. After this, numbers declined until Seiko ceased production in 1984. Despite the Type II pricing placing them at the mid-point, at 18,000 to 34,000 yen, these watches were still more expensive than most of the late 1970s Seiko automatics.
Grand and King Seiko’s famously sharp and highly polished cases, simple yet stunning dials, and applied hour indice designs are easily observed in this Type II dress watch (to include an almost identical bracelet design to Seiko’s King Quartz).
During this era, Seiko’s high-end quartz collections replaced its mechanical Grand Seiko and King Seiko collections through the early 1980s. The Japanese company, thankfully, has never seen fit to let go of its famed Grammar of Design philosophy, and for the hard-core collector, there is ample evidence of Seiko’s dial design genius and finishing techniques here – this emerald-dialed Seiko 7123 Type II gleams!
This Seiko Type II dress watch comes on its original stainless-steel Seiko bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, springbar tool, and original Seiko 7123 instructions manual, hang tags, plastic Seiko insert bag, and Seiko box.
Full Set Near NOS 1978 Seiko 7123-8020 Type II Dress Watch
DIAL: Fantastic emerald Seiko Type II-signed dial amplified by the quite unusual crystal, with matching hour, minute, and second hands. Applied stick hour indices and reflective chapter ring provide the dial with an intriguing depth. Dial is flawless.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 36.5mm x 41mm, with razor sharp case edges. Caseback features crisply legible inscriptions.
CRYSTAL: Fantasticly atypical faceted crystal in great condition, with no scratches or edge chips.
BAND: This Seiko Type II comes on it's original Seiko-signed stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 7.50 inch wrist; no "desk diver" rash, befitting its near NOS condition. This emerald dress watch also comes with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Two-jewel Seiko 7123 quartz movement, manufactured in December 1978; movement hacks, as designed.
CROWN: Stainless-steel crown.
Of significant note, this near NOS Seiko 7123 Type II dress watch comes with an original Seiko 7123 instructions manual (in both Kanji Japanese and English), plastic Seiko insert bag, price hang tag, bracelet hang tag, and Seiko box.