I am a child of the 70s. Born in the 60s but didn’t become aware of things like watches until the 70s. I didn’t appreciate mechanical watches back then because I was enamored with technology, so I was blown away by digital watches when they began to show up. I remember watches like this one and I remember really wanting one, but I just couldn’t afford them. I ended up settling for one of the Timex digitals, which came out a few years later and were nowhere near as high quality as this thing, which was built like a tank out of a solid block of stainless steel.

Knowing more about the history of these watches makes me appreciate them more than I did then. Of course, nothing is more phenomenal than the incredible achievement of mechanical watches going back hundreds of years and even today, but in the 70s, what Seiko and others achieved with quartz and digital watches ~50 years ago is just as impressive to me. So for sure, I will always have watches like this in my collection. But I don’t need more than one of the same reference and I have two of this one (and another on the way), so one has to go.

This is a Seiko 0439-5007 digital LCD watch from November 1976 that followed up Seiko’s 0634 LCD “Lemon Drop” digital watch from a couple of years before (the 0634 was the first LCD digital watch ever for worldwide distribution) with the same basic design but a much improved movement, which was simplified and more reliable with a smaller processor. It has been restored to its former glory (complete disassembly and cleaning with proper lubrication of the few mechanical parts) and is on its original bracelet, with all links. I have it on the 5th adjustment hole in the photo and my wrist is 7.6”, so there is lots of room for a large wrist and links can be removed for a smaller wrist.

Everything works perfectly, including the light, activated by the left button. The right button displays the current date. Push in the “crown” on the lower left to set it. It has new gaskets and a new crystal and is running well, within a fraction of a second per day, dialed in on my QT-2100 tester. Free shipping anywhere to WristSushi members. Authenticity and satisfaction guaranteed. Hit me up for more photos and questions.

Saldog.