As the world got accustomed to the novel new Astron technology dominating the market in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Seiko was hard at work on its next innovation to challenge Swiss watch industry dominance, developing the Superior, Grand Quartz, King Quartz and eventually the example here – a Japanese Domestic Market (Japan only) 1978 Seiko 7123-8070 SilverWave diver, with its spectacular silver starburst dial and original Seiko 7123 instructions manual.
1969 was one of the most spectacular in Seiko’s storied history. That year, it released the world’s first automatic chronograph, the Calibre 6139 and the V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) movement – which delivered Seiko’s highest yet level of precision for a mechanical movement. With the Astron, the Seiko hat trick of innovation put the Swiss watch world on warning the Japanese were coming for their markets, and severely tested Swiss dominance via Seiko bringing high horological technology within the reach of all.
Immediately obvious on the Seiko 7123 SilverWave here is the vibrant silver starburst textured dial that changes colors depending on the position of wearer wrist. Even the black handset mirrors the design of the dial’s hour indices.
Add in the Seiko 7123 quartz movement with its known accuracy, day-date with quick set, screw-down crown, unique rotating bezel, and hacking feature and you have a watch that stands out on the wrist.
As for the Seiko SilverWave line? Per Fratello’s resident Seiko guru Michael Stockton, “...the mid 1960’s [the era of Seiko's original SilverWave watch, the J12082] 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.”
Seiko’s “sport divers” would become a long-running theme in their watch design that continues to this day. Clearly its SilverWave line 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 SilverWave line was designed for snorkeling, swimming, surfing, and other light water sports.
This Seiko SilverWave diver comes on a stainless-steel Seiko bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, springbar tool, and original Seiko 7123 instructions manual.
1978 Seiko 7123-8070 SilverWave Z Dive Watch
DIAL: A fantastic silver starburst Seiko "SilverWave Z"-signed dial, with matching hour, minute, and second hands. Applied stick hour indices and reflective chapter ring provide the dial with an intriguing depth, and their black color matches that on the handset.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 38mm x 40.5mm, with sharp case edges. Rotating dive bezel works as designed, and features light UV fade, with all script and minute marks fully legible.
CRYSTAL: Hardlex crystal in great condition, with no deep scratches or edge chips.
BAND: This Seiko SilverWave comes on a stainless-steel Alba (Seiko)-signed bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 7.75 inch wrist; it also comes with a dark blue, orange, and white nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Two-jewel Seiko 7123 quartz movement, manufactured in August 1978; movement hacks, as designed.
CROWN: Stainless-steel crown screws down, as designed.
Of note, this Seiko 7123 SilverWave diver comes with an original Seiko 7123 instructions manual, in both Kanji Japanese and English.