One of the major draws of Seiko’s automatic watch line during the 1960's - like the 1968 Seiko 7625-8233 automatic sport diver here, on a vintage stainless-steel bracelet - were their amazingly simplistic dials and the handset from the famed first Seiko professional dive watch, the Seiko 6217-7000/1, aka the "62MAS."
The sum of the Seiko 7625's features combine to form its single greatest aesthetic quality – symmetry. The nearly invisible hidden crowns coupled with the sparse dial give it a simple, clean symmetrical style hard to find in a watch of any era or price range. Everything is in balance.
Per Worn&Wound’s review of the Seiko 7625 Sportsmatic, “…[it's] one of the most affordable pieces we’ve covered to date. I can’t overstate it enough that if you’re even half considering a Seiko…grab one and you’ll be happy that something so inexpensive can be so nice. It’s a versatile watch that turns heads. Every time I post this watch on Instagram, I get loads of requests about the detail behind it…"
"If you’re not a vintage watch person, but are simply reading our site and want a classically styled legitimate timepiece, this is your invitation to stop shopping for watches in the J.Crew catalog – this Seiko is far better than a pricey NATO-clad Timex.”
Seiko used it's quite reliable Calibre 7625 automatic movement in many of its Sportsmatic models during the same time period in the late 1960s, and used the movement from the mid-to-late 1960's.
This late 1960's Seiko 7625 comes on a vintage Maruman stainless-steel bracelet, and with nylon strap, springbar tool, and rugged travel case.
1968 Seiko 7625-8233 Automatic Sport Diver
DIAL: Seiko-signed dark steel gray dial, which subtlety changes color to black depending on angle (making it quite difficult to photograph); non-original seconds hand . No imperfections present on dial. Hands retain lume, with limited patina present.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 35mm x 45mm, with matching waterproof-signed caseback.
CRYSTAL: Domed acrylic crystal, no scratches or cracks.
BAND: This 7625 comes on a vintage Japanese Maruman stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 7.75 inch wrist. It also comes with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: 17-jewel 7625D automatic movement, manufactured in October 1968, which beats at 18,000 bph with a limited quickset date (must be wound back to 9 PM and forward to midnight again to advance the date manually).