Important Watches: Part I
Important Watches: Part I
Grand Seiko
'First', Reference J14070 A gold plated wristwatch Circa 1961
Auction Closed
November 5, 12:07 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Grand Seiko
'First', Reference J14070
A gold plated wristwatch
Circa 1961
Dial: white, engraved logo
Calibre: cal. 3180 manual winding, 25 jewels
Movement number: 109'766
Case: 14k gold plated, snap-on case back
Case number: 1'612'122
Closure: gold plated Seiko buckle
Size: 34 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
The first Grand Seiko entered into production in April 1960, with the watch being launched to the public on December 18th of that year. It was the first Japanese watch compliant with the Bureaux Officiels de Contrôle de la Marche des Montres in Geneva "Superior Chronometer" standard.
The present watch was manufactured in June 1961, and features a hand carved Grand Seiko logo on the dial - something only present on watches manufactured up to that month. Additionally, the "E" suffix on the dial code identifies it as one of the extremely rare transitional dials that are only found in watches produced over the course of a few weeks as the carved logo dials were phased out, to be replaced by the far more common raised logo dials.
An example of the first Grand Seiko serves as the foundational reference in any collection of vintage Grand Seiko, and those with hand carved logos - such as the present lot - are considered by astute collectors to be the most desirable of all.
The present watch was manufactured in June 1961, and features a hand carved Grand Seiko logo on the dial - something only present on watches manufactured up to that month. Additionally, the "E" suffix on the dial code identifies it as one of the extremely rare transitional dials that are only found in watches produced over the course of a few weeks as the carved logo dials were phased out, to be replaced by the far more common raised logo dials.
An example of the first Grand Seiko serves as the foundational reference in any collection of vintage Grand Seiko, and those with hand carved logos - such as the present lot - are considered by astute collectors to be the most desirable of all.