THE SEIKOMATIC AND ITS DERIVATIVES

Seiko Seikomatic Weekdater 6206-8990

As we all well know, Seiko did a lot of great things in the 1960s, notably starting the decade off with the First Grand Seiko and ending it with the Seiko Astron and the Quartz Attack. However, Seiko also pulled off a few other masterpieces in the 1960s, specifically the Seikomatics.

Seiko released the first Seikomatic in 1960 with a Seiko Caliber 6201 to power it. Some ‘62XX’ Seikomatics are notable for being almost identical to the 62GS, including the Seikomatic Chronometers which are very sought after. In fact, when Seiko initially started to make chronometers, testing them to Swiss standards, and marketing them as such, the Swiss governing body rejected their use of the word ‘chronometer’ to brand their watches.

The Caliber 6201 was previously named the 603 but this was changed when Seiko moved from 3 to 4-digit references for their movements. The Caliber 6201 was also notable for including Seiko’s Magic Lever, which was essentially a system whereby the mainspring was wound by an oscillating weight in both directions, pushing and pulling the intermediate wheel and benefiting from the extra energy generated from the double motion. It also reduces the impact of shock on the gear train. In some ways the 6201 was the testing ground for the Magic Lever, a feature many Seiko watches still host today.

Seikomatic Chronometer 6245-9000

The Seikomatic line saw steady progression throughout the early ‘60s with the Seikomatic updated in 1961, and the Selfdater and the Seikomatic Weekdater also being released in the early 1960s. The Weekdater is of particular interest for the unique way in which Seiko displayed the day of the week – this first coming with the Caliber 6206.

Also, in 1961 – along with the Seikomatic’s movement change – came the release of the Sportsmatic. The Seiko Sportsmatic was meant to be a more affordable version of the Seikomatic, and a sportier wristwatch. After the first Sportsmatic comes a more famous release, in 1963. The Seiko Sportsmatic evolved into the Seiko Sportsmatic 5 – the first Seiko 5 – that embodied all of the values the Seiko 5 continues to go by today! So, the Seikomatic, being the self-winding Seiko watch of the day, went from high-end to low end and even to sports watches! A diverse and important offering from Seiko.

Despite the lines’ great success, both the Seikomatic and Sportsmatic stopped production in the late ‘60s, around 1967, they remain iconic watches in Seikos lineup of vintage watch offerings. In fact, one of the final and most famous Seikomatics came out right before the end of the line, the Seikomatic Chronometer 6245!