Description
An April 1969 vintage Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 'Cross Dial' 6145-8000 recently serviced. Original crown and Grand Seiko GS medallion in excellent condition with a nice silvery dial on a brown leather strap. This vintage Grand Seiko features the Cal. 6145 hi-beat movement that has a 36,000 bph and the sought after 'cross dial' pattern. This vintage Grand Seiko Hi-Beat model was only in the JDM Seiko catalogue between 1969 and 1970, alongside two other Grand Seiko 6145-8000 dial variations (not including the day/date variants). A beautiful example of a vintage Grand Seiko 61GS. Measures 37 mm in diameter. Only has some slight scratches from wear and a small mark on the case at 6 o'clock. We offer a flat rate for shipping on every order and 30-day free returns. We also offer a 2-month mechanical warranty for every purchase. All prices are in CAD.
Grand Seiko History
Grand Seiko traces its history back to 1960 when Suwa Seikosha released the first Grand Seiko model, the ref. J14070. The new Grand Seiko Cal. 3180 had an accuracy within +12 to -3 seconds a day and a power reserve of 45 hours. This was followed by the 57GS in 1963, 44GS in 1966, 62GS in 1966, 61GS in 1968, 45GS in 1968, 19GS (in 1968, for women), and finally the 56GS in 1970. The Grand Seiko competed directly with Daini Seikosha's King Seiko and was replaced by its adjacent brand, the Grand Quartz line, in 1975 when quartz rose to the top of Seiko's catalogue - making a comeback in the early 1980s.
Seiko History
Seiko was founded as a watch store in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori in Tokyo. By the 1890s it was producing both clocks and pocket watches as Seikosha. And in 1913 Seiko produced Japan's first wristwatch, the Seiko Laurel. Seiko had beat out several other Japanese companies, including other Tokyo clock companies like Tokyo Clock Co. and Japan Pocket Watch Manufacturing Co. By the mid-20th century Seiko produced some of its most important wristwatches that set the stage for its future. In the early 1950s Seiko produced the Seiko Super which then became the Marvel. And in 1960 Seiko released the first Grand Seiko. This marked the beginning of not only the Grand Seiko but also the King Seiko and Lord Matic lines to follow.
Then, in 1969, Seiko released the Astron, the watch that would upend the Swiss watchmaking industry. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Seiko continues to produce extraordinary quartz watches, along with many legendary vintage Seiko dive watches. In modern times Seiko continues to innovate, especially through its Grand Seiko brand.