Description
A November 1972 vintage Seiko Bell-Matic 4006-6040 on its original bracelet featuring the 4006 automatic Seiko movement. Gold-plated case in good condition with some minor wear on the case and bracelet/Gold-plating coming off. Measures 39 mm in diameter. The 4006 movement features 17 jewels and the alarm or 'bell' function. 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.
Seiko Bell-Matic History
The Seiko Bell-Matic was first released in late 1966 as the 4006-7000, the originally available exclusively in Japan. The Seiko Bell-Matic was the first self-winding alarm wristwatch with a central rotor. The earliest models of the Seiko Bell-Matic (those released in November 1966) are rare and have a distinctive marking on the caseback, a dolphin. They used a Caliber 4006A that had 27 jewels and a day-date display at 3 o'clock. There is also a special version of the Bell-Matic, meant to be more formal called the Business Bell. The Business Bell was only made in 1967 and is therefore a bit harder to find than the average Bell-Matic. The Business Bell was aimed, more so than the Bell-Matic, at Japan's burgeoning middle-class. The typical Tokyo office worker. By the late 1970s, however, the Bell-Matic line was no more.
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.