As the world became accustomed to the novel new quartz watch 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 Type II lines – like this 1978 Seiko 7546-7060 dress watch, with its spectacular blue gradient dial, a Japanese Domestic Market (Japan only) quartz watch, on is original stainless-steel Seiko bracelet.
Immediately obvious on this watch is it's unusual gradient blue dial, which changes colors from white to Seiko famous "deep blue." Even the polished handset, with its textured inlaid finish, mirrors the design of the dial’s hour indices. Add in the Seiko 7546 quartz movement with its accuracy, a day-date with quick set, and hacking and you have a watch that stands out on the wrist.
But let's back up a bit - 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.
Seiko would release another first upon the world, the first quartz wristwatch. The Seiko Quartz Astron went on to change the way the world told time, and severely tested the dominance of the Swiss, bringing high technology within the reach of all.
Seiko utilized the Type II designation on select quartz watches to indicate its mid-line quartz offerings from 1976 through 1984, peaking in 1979 when nearly 100 different Type II watches (!) were on offer. After this, numbers declined until Seiko ceased production in 1984. Despite the Type II pricing placing them at the mid-point, at 18,000 to 34,000 yen, these watches were still more expensive than most of the late 1970s Seiko automatics.
Also readily present in the design aesthetic on this Seiko Type II? Grand and King Seiko’s famously sharp and highly-polished "Grammar of Design" cases, a simple yet stunning dial, and applied hour indices designs. All are easily observed in this Type II dress watch (to include an almost identical bracelet design to Seiko’s King Quartz line).
This Seiko dress watch comes on its original Seiko-signed stainless-steel bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, Seiko 7546 instructions manual, and springbar tool.
1978 Seiko 7546-7060 Type II Dress Watch
DIAL: Fantastic blue gradient Type II-signed dial, with matching hour, minute, and second hands. Applied stick hour indices provide the dial with an intriguing depth.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 36mm (37 w/crown) x 42.5mm, with sharp Grammar of Design edges.
CRYSTAL: Hardlex crystal, no deep scratches or edge chips.
BAND: This Type II comes on it's original Seiko-signed stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 6.75 inch wrist; it also comes with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Two-jewel Seiko 7546 quartz movement, manufactured in September 1978; movement hacks, as designed.
CROWN: Unsigned stainless-steel crown.
Of note, this Seiko Type II dress watch comes with an original Seiko 7546 instructions manual.