This Watch

We have here a very exciting military watch that is a real piece of horological history!  The Seiko 7A28-7120 was the first quartz chronograph to be used by the Ministry of Defence and the caliber used, Seiko's own 7A28 was the first analogue, quartz, chronograph movement to be produced in the world.

The Generation 1 was issued to the RAF and approximately 11,000 were produced between 1984-1990, making this particular piece one of the first of the first generations of this watch!

Below the mineral crystal is the black dial at a large and lumed Arabic 12 o'clock with hour, lumed, baton markers and outer minute track.  The watch is signed 'Seiko' at 12 o'clock and has a circled 'P' just underneath to indicate the use of Promethium 147, a mildly radioactive substance that was used for the lume.  The subsidiary dials include a 1/10th seconds recorder, sub seconds and a 30-minute recorder.  

The 36x44mm, brushed stainless steel case has three pushers for the chronograph functions as well as the time-setting crown at 8 o'clock.  The case back is stamped with the NATO stock number '6645-99 / 7683056' and the crow's foot Broad Arrow, signifying that the watch is property of the Crown.  Below these markings is the issue number and the year the watch was issued, as well as the actual Seiko serial number: '2100/84 / 482651 / 7A28-7120.'

Inside the watch is the quartz caliber 7A28 with 15 jewels, which has been fully serviced by us and is running strongly.  Our watchmaker has commented on the high-quality of the caliber.  Much like other military equipment, the movement was designed for repairs to be able to be carried out by the military, rather than having to send the watches back to the manufacturer. 

We've paired the watch on a grey NATO strap, as all MOD spec military watches have fixed bars, but colour options are endless with this watch.

Extra Points 

Seiko's history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori established the K. Hattori retail and repair store.  In 1892 Seikosha ('Seiko' meaning exquisite, minute or success and 'sha' meaning house) was established specialising in wall clocks and 1895 saw the production of their first pocket watch.  By 1913 they had launched their first wristwatch, the Laurel.  In 1924 the first 'Seiko' was manufactured after the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed the Seikosha factory the year before.  The 1964 Tokyo Olympics saw Japan’s first chronograph wristwatch, the Seiko Crown Chronograph, which was a monopusher.  The company have always been innovative, and modern successes include their GPS solar watches.

The Seiko Gen 1 is considered to be one of the most sought-after quartz chronograph military watches among collectors.  It is a real, but relatively recent piece of history and there s something truly amazing about wearing a military watch, never knowing what it may have seen or been through throughout its life, whose wrist it was on etc... At 36mm it is the perfect size for him or her, and you'd be a fool not to want one of these in your collection!