How to Buy a Vintage Seiko

Why vintage Seiko

Seiko put the first quartz wristwatch on sale in 1969, and in the decades that followed it made quartz and mechanical watches in a huge range of designs: slim dress watches, chronographs, world timers and alarm watches. Many of them are still affordable, which makes vintage Seiko an easy way into collecting.

Read the caseback

Seiko stamps a calibre and case code on the caseback. On the SND075 chronograph the code is 7T92-0AW0, and on the Lord Quartz it is 7853-5000. On many Seikos the serial number also encodes the year and month of manufacture, which is how we date pieces such as the Lord Quartz, made in October 1978.

A caseback that is rubbed smooth usually means the watch has been over-polished. Ask for a clear photo of the caseback before you buy, from us or from anyone else.

Check the condition

Look at the crystal, the edges of the case, the dial, the hands and the crown. A vintage watch will show its age, and that is normal; what matters is that the listing tells you. We state each watch's condition and anything that was renewed, such as a battery or a strap. DAR never replaces a movement.

Quartz or mechanical?

Most vintage Seikos in our collection are quartz, so they run on a battery. A new battery is a small job, and our listings say when one has just been fitted. If you prefer a mechanical watch, see our automatic watches and read Quartz or Automatic.

Bracelets and fit

Many vintage Seikos have an integrated bracelet that cannot be removed without cutting. The Lord Quartz bracelet measures 17 cm and fits a wrist of about 16.5 cm, so check the length against your wrist before you order. If you are unsure, ask us on WhatsApp.

Box, papers and price

A vintage watch is normally sold on its own, without box or papers, unless the listing says a box is included. Prices on DAR are in dirhams and include VAT, and delivery across the UAE is AED 30 to Dubai and AED 50 to the other Emirates.