Description
A March 1995 vintage Seiko Spirit 5E31-5B50 ref. dress watch on an aftermarket black leather strap. Watch measures 26 mm and has a rectangular 'Tank'-like case shape. Gold-plated bezel and stainless steel case. Features a Seiko 5E31 quartz movement, a 1990s quartz movement, and has a fresh battery. Very nice vintage Seiko dress watch, great condition for 26 years old! 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 Spirit History
The Seiko Spirit dates back to the late 1980s, preceding the 1990s when the Seiko Spirit became very popular, especially in the affordable range of Seiko's offerings. In some ways, the Spirit replaced the Seiko Chronos, which was a vintage Seiko quartz line that carried the 'SilverWave' emblem on the case - indicative of water resistant vintage Seikos and present on many vintage Seiko divers. This was a throwback to the vintage Seiko SilverWave diver from the 1960s.
The Seiko Spirit's 5E31 movement was actually used in vintage Seiko Spirits right from the late 1980s onwards. In more modern times, the Seiko Spirit has continued to be produced in various forms, with some more famous models being the SARB033 or SARB035. In the 1995 Seiko catalogue, this Seiko Spirit ref. SCEX026 was on sale for 30,000 Yen. The Seiko SilverWave emblem can be seen in the top right corner of the screenshot.
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.