In the early 1960’s, Seiko debuted its first truly submersible sports watch in the form of the Seikomatic 50m J12082 SilverWave with an internal countdown bezel – the introduction of the J12082 in 1961 marked a number of firsts for Seiko: it represented their first diver’s watch, for instance. Heck, there even exists limited evidence United States Special Forces officers preferred it, as well.
Made through 1964, the J12082 was succeeded by the Seiko Ref. 697990 – like this full-serviced 1964 Seiko Sportsmatic SilverWave Ref. 697990 automatic sport diver here, on a vintage stainless-steel bracelet – and it was the immediate progenitor to Seiko’s legendary first professional dive watch, the Seiko 6217-8000/1 (aka the 62MAS), introduced in 1965.
Per Fratello’s resident Seiko guru Michael Stockton, “...the mid 1960’s were a time of tremendous transition. It seemed to be a period of transition away from the feel good, somewhat old-fashioned 1950’s into a more modern, but realistic period. Literature, music, art, and technology were all undergoing these same patterns of metamorphoses…California and its surfing culture went mainstream and people became highly interested in all things water or ocean related.”
“Heck, the Beach Boys carved out an everlasting legacy due to the trend. Second, and taking a page from California’s hot rod culture, Detroit was on the cusp of ushering in one of the auto industry’s most significant movements: the muscle car era.”
Seiko’s “sport divers” would become a long-running theme in their watch design that continues to this day. Clearly its SilverWave line – like this 697990 here – were not designed for deep sea / Jacque Cousteau-like dives. At the time, the only really hardcore dive watches were Rolex, Omega, Blancpain, and some limited others. But as noted, water sports during this era became mainstream, and the 697990 was designed for snorkeling, swimming, surfing, and other light water sports.
“It’s a great little feature that immediately lends the watch credibility when being viewed by a Seiko collector…It’s a great addition to a diver collection or for anyone who loves Seiko. Plus, I find it very interesting to compare this watch to the 62MAS and the fact that only 4 months separate their production dates,” per Stockton.
“Yes, the moods and desires in the 1960’s certainly brought on great transition and massive advancements. A growing number of people decided to explore the deep like never before and the changes this drove in the watch industry were highly significant.”
This Seiko Silverwave comes on a stainless-steel bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, and springbar tool.
1964 Seiko SilverWave Ref. 697990 Automatic Sport Diver
DIAL: Silver starburst SilverWave-signed dial, with correct dauphin hands - lume fades quickly, given age. Dial has a spectacular "starburst" design, with applied silver markers with lumed rectangles at the inside edge at each. Black inner tachmeyer ring rotates, as designed.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 38mm x 44mm, with matching caseback etched with Seiko's famous Tsunami motif. The caseback is a snap back design, typical for the era.
CRYSTAL: Seiko steep dome acrylic crystal, no cracks.
BAND: This SilverWave comes on a vintage stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 7.75 inch wrist; it also comes with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Seikosha Seikomatic 6601 calibre automatic movement, with 17 jewels and 18,000 bph frequency; watch serial dates watch production to August 1964. We have performed a full service on this SilverWave.
CROWN: Unsigned stainless-steel crown.