Want more evidence the 1960’s through the early 1980’s were a golden era for Seiko, for both affordable and not-so-much vintage? Look no further than Seiko’s long-running 700x line - such as the full-serviced gold 1987 Seiko 7009-8129 Arabic-dialed dress automatic here.
The 700X line debuted in 1969 and was made until the 1990’s, when it was eventually replaced by Seiko’s famed 7S26 line. The 700x line featured primarily in Seiko’s “Seiko 5” line, and contained its Magic Lever winding system, which allowed the movement’s automatic rotor to gather energy in a bi-directional fashion. The 700x movement – and all its variants – were the most produced Seiko movements to exit from Japan, period.
The 700x line came in numerous sub-variants, which included the 7009 here, but also the 7002, 7005 and 7006 - the Seiko 7009 automatic movement began production in circa 1979 through 1996. Regardless, all 700x movemenrs were almost identical and shared numerous parts in common (rendering watch servicing less expensive).
This 7009 comes on a generic vintage gold bracelet, and with nylon strap, spring bar tool, and rugged travel case.
Gold 1987 Seiko 7009-8129 Arabic Dial Automatic
DIAL: Vibrant gold Seiko-signed dial with atypical Arabic numerals - few Seiko watches during this era featured dials of this design; day and date functions work as designed. Correct handset. Lume - which shines following exposure to strong light – remains in great condition, considering the watch is nearly a half century old.
CASE: Gold-plasted stainless-steel case measures 36.5mm x 42mm, with matching caseback; gold plating is uniform throughout the case.
CRYSTAL: Acrylic crystal, crack and deep scratch -free.
BAND: This 7009 comes on a generic vintage gold-plated stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 8.5 inch wrist - gold plating remains mostly uniform, albeit with some wear in places; it also comes with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: This Seiko 17-jewel 7009 automatic movement, beating at 21,600 bph, was manufactured in August 1977. The day (English and French language variants) and date functions work as designed - the day feature is advanced via turning the crown in its second position (ie: no quickset option by design); however, the weekday is advanced by depressing the crown. Although we didn't perform it ourselves, this 7009 performs like its been serviced in the last year.
CROWN: Unsigned stainless-steel gold crown, nearly entirely recessed.