Introduction
For those who might have missed it, a couple of days ago I sent out my monthly update newsletter for November, explaining some changes that will be in effect going forward.
I would recommend that anyone who hasn’t get around to reading it yet take a look, because there are some quite important changes that are going to be implemented on this “Stack” going forward.
The first of those kicks off today, in that in future the weekly Friday newsletters will not be forwarded onto free subscribers after a week’s delay. Instead, just the first newsletter of each month (of which this is one!) will be sent to all, but with a paywall after the first recommended listing.
For more details on the changes, you can click through to that monthly summary here -
Until December 1st, I am running a 20% off promotion for those currently on free subscriptions who would like to move to a paid subscription in order to continue to receive all the content that I publish. 1 Here is a link to that promotion -
Typically the run up to Christmas can be a very interesting one with regards the listings that appear on Yahoo Japan Auctions. Whilst there are no real standouts this week, there are nevertheless plenty of watches featured below - as usual falling into the categories of the “good guys” (that you may well want to consider adding to your collection), and the “bad guys” (that you most certainly want to avoid, although having said that, there is one watch in the bad guys section this week that is extremely intriguing…). I also feature an absolute cracker of a “It’s not a vintage Grand Seiko, but I like it”, and a very rare carved logo dialed transitional first Grand Seiko that is appearing in Sotheby’s auction in Geneva on Sunday 5th November.
Right, with that introduction out of the way, let’s get right into it!
Deckard Shaw
Grand Seiko 6146-8050 white dial
Although not the most coveted example of this reference that you could hope to come across (most are after one of the coloured dial variants), this one makes the cut this week because at least it comes with a fairly substantial (the seller lists it as being suitable for 18-19cm wrists) bracelet, and - with a caveat on full judgement due the low resolution photos - appears to be in overall good condition.
The inclusion of the Hi-Beat 36000 box is interesting, because there is one school of thought that feels by the time this reference would have come to market (it was first launched in the December 1972 issue of Seiko sales), all regular Grand Seiko references would have been supplied in the same, non-36000 branded, box. Naturally there is no way to ascertain whether this is actually the box that the watch was originally sold with, but it’s a nice bonus.
It’s very possible that the photos provided aren’t doing this one justice - certainly the case looks very sharp, the dial clean, and the crystal unblemished - but there is always a risk when relying on low resolution images like the ones provided.
The seller states that the watch is in good running order, having been overhauled in August 2023.
Grand Seiko 6156-8010
(note - FromJapan report that the seller refuses bids from proxy services. As I have mentioned previously, it may be that is the case, or it could be that they have had problems with the seller before and refuse to deal with them. If you are interested in bidding on this one, you’ll need to try another proxy such as Buyee or Zenmarket.)
It’s hard to think of a vintage Grand Seiko reference that gives more “bang for the buck” than the 6156-8010. You get that superb “Special” movement, originally regulated to +/-3 seconds per day, and with quickset date and day (unlike the regular 6146 caliber that only has quickset on the date); a faceted sapphire crystal; and a case made from hardened stainless steel.
They were clearly very successful references back in the day, because they are pretty common to find, and this one looks to be in truly excellent condition.
That hardened stainless steel case really does make all the difference - it’s pretty rare to see these refinished - and the example here is in excellent original condition with very sharp caselines and those wonderfully faceted lugs. The crystal does look as though it has some minor chipping around its periphery, but not nearly concerning enough to be in any way off putting. The dial looks very clean - at this resolution it’s always possible that very minor issues won’t show up, but they’re not going to show up
The description makes it clear that the seller doesn’t check out the functionality of the watch any further than it is running, and the quickset day/date works, so don’t forget that as usual, assume a service will be necessary, and if it turns out one isn’t required, treat that as a bonus.
Grand Seiko 4420-9000 late dial
You’ll almost certainly want to be getting hold of a replacement crystal for this one (325W06AN), but the dial and case both look to be in superb condition. There is one slightly odd thing that the seller mentions -
“The inner ring is missing, so a stainless steel ring of a different model was machined and fitted.”
I assume this is referring to the retaining ring for the movement - those of a nervous disposition might want to seek guidance on the implication of this. If anyone reading is able to provide that guidance, please do comment below!
Grand Seiko 1964-0010 Cap Gold
Interest in the ladies vintage Grand Seiko references does seem to be picking up lately, and it is no wonder - they truly are exquisite horological marvels. To this day, I believe they remain the sole ‘ladies sized’ wristwatches with 36000bph movements.
No original buckle on this one (they can be very hard to track down), but the case and dial look to be both in superb condition.
With the very welcome - and long overdue - increase in interest in horology from the fairer sex (can I still say that in 2023?), it is only a matter of time before a much wider community discovers the remarkable 19GS series. For now, these can remain our little secret.
Grand Seiko 6146-8000 “cross hair” dial
It’s hard not to feel a little sorry for the much neglected regular later dialed variant of the 6146-8000. Most people, if after the ‘clean’ dial will go for the earlier variant with the Grand Seiko print, and if wanting a later piece, will gravitate towards this one.
It’s pretty obvious why of course - there are just so many little interesting details to this one, from the fine cross on the dial, to the shortened hands and raised indices. Oh - and those half second ticks on the minute track as well.
This one gets a shout out not just due to its general overall very good condition, but also because it comes complete with its original buckle, and would appear - at least from a rather truncated photo of a timegrapher - to be running very well indeed.
Grand Seiko 6146-8009
Nope, that’s not a typo, it really is -8009.
One for the real completists, little is known about the background to this reference, other that it was clearly intended solely for export - if the 9 at the end of the case code isn’t sufficient enough as a clue, the fact that the case is described as being “base metal” rather than “cap gold” seals it.
Clearly not in the best condition, but it is of historical interest!
Grand Seiko 5646-7005
Here is the first of two 5646-7005’s to be highlighted (with caveats) this week (note - there is also a 5641-7005 listed, but do check the description if you are tempted by that one as the seller states the watch is not running).
It’s hard to truly ascertain the condition of the case - it certainly doesn’t appear flat polished in the images, but neither is the original brushed finish clearly visible. Clearly the watch has had a lot of wear.
The dial has developed a deep patina which will either appeal or turn one off, but I can’t help feeling it will look pretty gorgeous one you get a replacement crystal fitted.
On the plus side, it comes with its original 18k gold buckle, but on the negative side, it does not have its original 18k gold crown. Fear not though on the latter, because one is available for a buy it now of 35,000 Yen (very reasonable if you ask me!) should you decide to chase it.
It’s not a vintage Grand Seiko, but I like it
Citizen Chronometer
This week’s pick for this section was an absolute no-brainer the moment it was listed, and were it not for the fact that I have a very early full set example of this reference, I’d certainly not be sharing it for fear of inviting some competitive bidding!
The Citizen Chronometer was very clearly Citizen’s direct response to the first Grand Seiko, and whilst I don’t really have the time to go into the history here, what I can say without hesitation is that this is by far the best example of this watch that I have ever seen.
Dating from November 1964, it is probably unworn, and on its original strap with the original buckle and swing tags, plus the original price ticket. Citizen packed a lot into the box for this reference, so there is much missing for those interested in full sets, but it’s the condition of the watch that is of course paramount.
An unworn raised logo dialed first Grand Seiko - also on its original strap/buckle and complete with price ticket (but no swing tags, no boxes, no papers) - sold for 1.5 million Yen back in September 2022.
This almost certainly won’t get anywhere near that amount, but frankly anything under a million Yen would be a bargain in my mind for a museum piece such as this.
I will be watching closely!
A carved logo dialed first Grand Seiko at Sotheby’s Geneva
On Sunday in Geneva, Sotheby’s will be offering 97 lots in their “Important Watches: Part 1” auction.
Amongst them is what I would consider one of the most desirable independent watches ever made - the double signed Roger Smith/George Daniels Millennium. That watch should by all rights be not only the star lot of Sotheby’s auction, but also the star lot of the entire weekend (Phillips, Christies and Antiquorum all have auctions in Geneva between today and Monday), and quite frankly should hammer for more than even the Dufour Sonnerie.
Interestingly, amongst those 97 lots at Sotheby’s we also find a vintage Grand Seiko!
Although this is not the first time a Grand Seiko “First” has appeared at one of the top Geneva auctions (Phillips sold a raised logo variant in November 2022 for a little over CHF20,000), it is to the best of my knowledge the first time a carved logo dialed example has been offered.
Those with keen eyes will notice the dial code on this one identifies it as one of the very rare “transitional” references, and both movement and case serial numbers (the latter indicating production in June 1961) are in the correct range for the GSJ14H156E coded dial.
I actually know this watch well, because it passed through my hands a few years ago. The logo on this particular example features probably the most beautiful carving I have ever seen - and I’ve seen a lot of carved logo dials.
It will be interesting to see how it performs on Sunday!
Brixton Lore
Grand Seiko 6146-8000
My guess is you probably don’t need me to tell you that this dial has been redone!
The first Grand Seiko in stainless steel
It’s back. Again. Ugh - will this guy never give up?!
The first Grand Seiko with raised logo dial
Clearly we know this guy will never give up. Just crazy that people are still falling for these. Interestingly, almost all the “action” on these lots comes from people with direct Yahoo Japan accounts, rather than the proxy services. It is a strange world when collectors outside Japan would appear to be more educated on vintage Grand Seiko than those living there!
Grand Seiko 5646-7005
Even though the earlier example of this one had the wrong crown, I included it with the recommended listings because that issue was easily remediable right away (it’s actually really rare to see a crown for a 564x-7005 to turn up as a part).
This one is hanging with the bad guys because the case has clearly been heavily polished, and that’s something that would take quite a bit more effort to fix.
Grand Seiko 6145-8000 “cross hair” dial
Well, I say “cross hair” dial, but clearly that feature is completely missing here!
I’m really not sure what to make of this one. It’s easy to completely dismiss as a rather obvious redial where someone ‘forgot’ to also redo the cross, but could that really be the case? And what about the dial code, which appears under the minute track, rather than above it? And the relative proportion of the “Hi-Beat” and “36000” print?
From the listing detailed earlier -
What is particularly odd is that the 36000 font looks a lot more like that which you’d find on a 4520-8000 -
What we do know is that back in the day, there was a lot of experimentation surrounding dials for the 61GS and 56GS series - if you ever get the chance to visit Wako in Ginza, you can see many of these prototype dials on display.
I think it is not beyond the realms of possibility that this is a legitimate dial from Grand Seiko. Proving that to be the case however would be an entirely different challenge altogether!
Redone coloured dial summary
I close with the usual reminder to steer clear of any vintage Grand Seikos with coloured dials similar to the above. This is not a comprehensive photo - there are many references that get this “treatment”, so be careful out there.
Note for paid subscribers - I believe you should also be able to take advantage of this offer! It’s 20% off an annual subscription, so if you currently have a monthly one, you can jump right in.
That Citizen is epic. It’ll hammer high.
Ugh - I've done it again and missed off a link (to the first featured auction). Apologies.
Updated for those who read in the browser or the app.