Seiko Owner Review : Enthralling, distinguished and majestic

I really discovered the SEIKO philosophy through its models from the 60s (and 70s). Not content with developing internal research into increasingly high-quality watches (thanks to the competition between the 2 factories Suwa and Daini), SEIKO also wanted to show its ability to compete with Swiss watchmaking. But I remember that at the time, in Europe, "Made in Japan" was considered the same as today's "Made in China", i.e. a mass industry manufacturing basic products. However, at the beginning of the 60s, SEIKO shone in chronometry competitions, released the King and Grand Seiko, and what interests us, the Seikomatic range with automatic watches equipped with very innovative systems including the famous "Magic Lever". And in 1963 this marvel was released: the Seikomatic Self Dater 50 Proof with its magnificent 395 caliber of 39 jewels, referenced J13060 (and J13085). Any logic of profitability was swept away: you just had to do as well as the Swiss, or even better! Result: the oscillating weight turned, no longer on ball bearings, but on 6 jewels; the indexes were faceted and applied with great care (as indicated by the small star at 6:00); and the hands were polished on the top and beveled on both edges (a bit like on current Grand Seikos). There was a stop-second, a quick date change, water resistance to 50 m, a very precise movement (although not chronometer certified)... In short, a high-quality watch, but which cost 3 times the price of a classic SEIKO in the 1963 catalog. And again, there was a more expensive gold-plated version, and a very rare version with white gold indexes (different star at 6:00 and dial marked SD and not AD like mine). To conclude, because there would be so much to say about it, it is a watch from 1963, (reference J13060), but incredibly modern. Its look, its case shape, its indexes are still very current. The watch is 37 mm in diameter (without the crown), which is already not bad for the time, but as there is almost no bezel, it feels like having a 38/39 mm on the wrist. The "Magic Lever" and the various innovations reduce the shocks of the movement for greater reliability. And the caliber is of high quality. It has just been revised and the drift is from 0 to +1 s/day on 5 positions!!! No need to be certified as a chronometer to be precise. So dare to go vintage, dare to go for the SEIKO from the 60s! And even if you will probably have to buy it on the Japanese market (as I did 4 years ago), the prices of the Seikomatic are lower than the King Seiko and Grand Seiko for an almost equivalent pleasure. And you have a rarity on your wrist!