As the world got accustomed to Seiko's novel new Astron quartz timekeeping 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) 1985 Seiko 9021-6080 dress watch, with its art deco dial and original Seiko 9021 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 9021 dress watch here is the art deco-inspired, with its atypical hour numbers dial that changes colors depending on the position of wearer wrist. Even the bronze-colored handset mirrors the color of the case, while the same handset also pulls its inspiraction from the 1920s art deco past. Add in the Seiko 9021 quartz movement with its known accuracy and hacking feature, and you have a watch that stands out on the wrist.
This Seiko dress watch comes on a leather strap, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, springbar tool, and original Seiko 9021 instructions manual.
Art Deco 1985 Seiko 9021-6080 Dress Watch
DIAL: A fantastically unique cream-colored dial with ornate 1920s art deco-inspired hands set and dial numerals.
CASE: Bronze case measures 31.5mm (32.5mm w/crown) x 35.5mm, with sharp case edges; stainless-steel caseback. Bronze coverage is uniform throughout the case.
CRYSTAL: Original crystal in great condition, with no scratches or edge chips.
BAND: This Seiko comes on a black leather strap; it also comes with a dark blue and green nylon strap with bronze hardware.
MOVEMENT: Five-jewel Seiko 9021 quartz movement, manufactured in December 1985; movement hacks, as designed.
CROWN: Unsigned bronze crown.
Of note, this Seiko 9021 dress watch comes with an original Seiko 9021 instructions manual, in both Kanji Japanese and English.