More evidence the 1960’s and 1970’s were a golden era for Seiko is evident in its long-running 700X line – like this bluish-grey dialed 1970 Seiko 7005-8000 automatic here, with hour indices reminiscent of high-end Grand Seiko models.
Seiko debuted the 700X line in 1969 and produced it until the 1990’s, when it was replaced by Seiko’s famed 7S26 line. The 7005 line features Seiko’s Magic Lever winding system, allowing the automatic rotor to gather energy in a bi-directional fashion.
The 700X line came in several sub-variants, which included the 7005 here, as well as the famed (and much "Feiko'ed") 7002, 7006, and 7009 - all of which are almost identical and share numerous parts in common (which also makes watch servicing easier and inexpensive). The 7005 is date only, with the 7009 as a day/date and 7002A date only (and with a different auto winding weight).
When comparing the 7S26 to the 7005, the lineage is more than a bit obvious. That said, there remains much in favor for the 7005 vis-a-vis the 7S26 movement, as the calendar mechanism of the 7005/9 remains superior in design and construction, and the overall quality of finish on the 7S26 is substantially lower than its predecessors.
This 7005 comes with on a new stainless-steel bracelet, and with nylon strap, spring bar tool, and rugged travel case.
1970 Seiko 7005-8000 Automatic Watch
DIAL: Bluish/grey Seiko-signed dial and applied hour markers, no blemishes. Applied hour indices are strongly reminiscent of the famed (and much more expesive) Grand Seiko line and add great depth to the dial. Date function works as designed.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 37mm x 41mm, with matching caseback; case lines remain sharp.
CRYSTAL: Acrylic domed crystal, scratch and crack-free.
BAND: New stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 8.50 inch wrist; this 7005 also comes with a dark blue, white, and green nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 17-jewel 7005A automatic movement, beating at 21,600 bph, manufactured in January 1970. Of note, the earlier versions of the 7005 line, like this one, did not suffer from plastic parts (which caused later models to suffer in terms of accuracy), and is all metal in construction.
CROWN: Unsigned stainless-steel crown, almost entirely recessed.
