Description
A 1960s Seiko Champion ref. J15004E with a beautiful patina dial. Some real Wabi-Sabi. This Seiko Champion is paired with a nice black leather strap and makes a very handsome dress watch. It is in good condition with a unique look given the patina. 35 mm diameter. Features a manual winding 17-jewel Seiko Diashock movement. 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 Champion History
While the Seiko Champion was made as a lower-end Seiko in the 1960s, the Seiko Champion Calendar 860 was a big upgrade on the original, and released in the mid-1960s. This was an improvement upon the previous Champion Calendar, and the Champion 850. Seiko Champions came in 17 jewel or 19 jewel version, with this one featuring a 17-jewel Diashock movement. Most famous in the Seiko Champion line - the Seiko Champion Alpinist!
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.