The 1960s was arguably the most explosive decade of innovation, styling, and engineering in Seiko's history (with the 1970s a close second place).  During this era, the company transformed from a domestic Japanese watch manufacturer into a global horological powerhouse, directly challenging the supremacy of Swiss watchmaking.
 
During the same era, Seiko produced its Seiko Sea Lion M88 automatic - like the 1965 Seiko M88 Sea Lion (6205-8000) automatic watch here - in the mid-1960s and produced it through the late 1960s.  Widely celebrated for its JDM aesthetic, the Seiko line is recognized most for its distinct cushion- or square-shaped cases and prominent day/date calendar complications.
 
Featuring an engraved sea lion emblem on the case back, the M88 sat near the top of the Sea Lion lineup and adapted popular Japanese domestic designs for global buyers.  The Sea Lion provides significant vintage character through its retro square case, making it equally suitable for both formal and casual settings
 
The 1960s decade was defined by internal corporate rivalries, the birth of iconic professional tool watch lines, and a technological race that changed the industry forever.  Icons that continue to impress to this day – nearly seven decades later – included the world’s first automatic chronograph (the Ref. 6139), Japan’s first professional dive watch (the 62MAS), and Seiko setting off the “Quartz Crisis” (with its Quartz Astron, the world’s first commercially available quartz wristwatch)
 
When Seiko debuted the M88, it featured a 6205 automatic Diashock movement with either 17 or 24 jewels and date complication; the Japanese manufacturer would down-jewel the automatic movement to 17 only when it replaced it with the 6106 beginning in the late 1960s, but would add a day and date function to make up for it.
 
Of note?  Seiko used specifically the M88 in a wide range of adverts during the 1960s, and in particular for the 1966 Asian Games (Thai: เอเชียนเกมส์ 2509), also known as the V Asiad, a continental multi-sport event that was held from 9 to 20 December 1966, in Bangkok, Thailand, which featured a total of 142 events in 16 sports contested by athletes during the games, with a total number of 2,500 athletes and officials from 18 countries participating.
 
In the Asian Games adverts, Seiko advertised its "track record" of being chosen as the official timekeeper of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and the 1967 Universiade.  At the time, the Olympic Technical Committee head noted, "We are not assigning official timekeeping to a Japanese manufacturer because the Olympics will be held in Tokyo, but because these are actual functional [timepieces], backed up by solid theory."
 
Despite the head of Seiko's Watch Design Section noting his reluctance Seiko could devise suitable timepieces in time for the 1964 Summer Games - only a few years away - legendary Seiko President Shoji Hattori could not be dissuaded.
 
As part of Seiko’s R&D at the time, and to commemorate its upcoming role in the Summer Games, the company developed several advanced wristwatches for the Olympics - and naturally, continued to play up their choice for the Olympic Summer Games.
 
This Seiko M88 comes on a leather strap, and with nylon strap, springbar tool, and rugged travel case.