SEIKO vintage mechanical watch
MADE IN JAPAN

“Seiko” (精工) is a Japanese word meaning “precision,” “exquisite workmanship,” or “refined craftsmanship.”
It comes from the characters:

• 精 (sei) – fine, precise, refined

• 工 (ko) – craft, workmanship

Originally, Seiko’s watchmaking division was called Seikosha (精工舎), meaning “House of Precision.”
In 1924 the company shortened the name to Seiko, keeping the core meaning.

So the brand name literally ties directly to the idea of precision engineering—which is exactly what the company wanted to be known for in its watches.

🕰️ Seiko Seikomatic line overview

The Seiko Seikomatic line was a flagship series of high-quality automatic watches produced primarily throughout the 1960s. It represented Seiko’s transition into the modern era of self-winding timepieces, bridging the gap between everyday watches and the ultra-luxury Grand Seiko line.

The Seikomatic Line: The “Business Class” Ancestor

Seikomatic was designed for the “modern business professional” of the 1960s. Its most iconic design choice was the recessed crown at the 4 o’clock position. Because the movement was so efficient at self-winding, Seiko believed the wearer rarely needed to use the crown, so they tucked it away to create a sleek, “crownless” silhouette that wouldn’t snag on shirt cuffs.

• The Name: It’s a portmanteau of “Seiko” and “Automatic.” At the time, automatic winding was a high-tech feature, so Seiko branded these watches to highlight that they didn’t need manual winding.

• The Design Philosophy: Seikomatics were designed for the “New Lifestyle” of the 1960s—aimed at office workers and professionals. They were known for having no visible crown (the crown was often tucked away at the 4 o’clock position) to emphasize that the watch was fully automatic and didn’t need to be touched.

• The “Weekdater”: The most famous Seikomatic is the “Weekdater,” which featured a full day-of-the-week window, usually at the 6 o’clock position. This was a massive status symbol for business people in the ’60s.

The Seiko Seikomatic-R –

(produced roughly between 1965 and 1968) is one of the most intellectually interesting lines for vintage Seiko collectors. It was a bridge between the bulky, early automatics of the 50s and the ultra-refined Grand Seikos of the late 60s.

The “R” in Seikomatic-R generally stands for “Refined” or “Reworked.” During this era, Seiko was obsessed with making automatic watches thinner.

• The Slim Profile: While earlier “standard” Seikomatics used the 62-series movement (which was thick and “automatic only”), the Seikomatic-R used the 83-series movement. This was an integrated automatic movement designed from the ground up to be slim, allowing the watch to sit comfortably under a business suit cuff.

• The Business Executive Market: The line was specifically marketed to the emerging class of Japanese “salarymen” and executives. It was a step above the “Sportsmatic” (entry-level) but just below the “King Seiko” (luxury).

The 8306 Movement: A Technical Maverick

Your watch contains the 8306A caliber, which is famous among watchmakers for a few unique reasons:

• The Reverser Wheel System: Unlike most Seikos that use the “Magic Lever” (a simple, clicking pawl system), the 83-series uses a more sophisticated reverser wheel system. This is much closer to how high-end Swiss brands like Rolex or Longines built their movements at the time. It is smoother and quieter than the Magic Lever.

• Manual Winding: Most mid-range Seiko automatics of the 60s and 70s (like the famous Seiko 5) cannot be hand-wound—you have to shake them to start. The Seikomatic-R was a premium exception, allowing the user to wind the crown manually.

• Bi-Directional Date Quickset: Unusually for 1966, you can change the date by turning the crown in both directions in the first position. Most watches only go one way.

Historical Significance

The Seikomatic-R represents the peak of the “Suwa” factory’s mid-range production.

• The Internal Rivalry: At the time, Seiko’s two factories (Suwa and Daini) were in a fierce internal competition to produce the best watches. The Seikomatic-R was Suwa’s answer to the “Seikomatic-P” (from the Daini factory).

• The Precursor to “Business-A”: By late 1967, Seiko renamed the Seikomatic-R line to “Seiko Business-A.” This makes the “R” branded watches a narrower, more collectible window of production.

SEIKOMATIC-R reference 8306-8001 has the 8306A is an “automatic” movement, but it also allows for manual hand-winding, which was a premium feature for Seiko at the time.
It includes a “Diashock” system for impact protection.

Fun Fact

Because this watch is dated March 1966, it is a very early example of the 8001 reference. In the world of vintage Seiko, these early-run models with the “Dolphin” caseback are often more desirable than the later “Business-A” versions from 1968, as they represent the original design intent of the Seikomatic-R line.

Reference: 8306-8001
Model: Seikomatic-R
Production 1965-1969
Case: 38mm
Lug to lug: 40.5mm
Thickness: 10.5mm
LUG WIDTH 18mm
TYPE  Mechanical, self winding
FUNCTIONS Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Day/Date Calendar

Watch went through a complete service by a professional watch tech and keeps good time.

Comes with vintage stainless steel bracelet* included.

(*)Note: Stock bracelets are often shortened by previous owners and may not fit you(see bracelet size in the product images).
We recommend adding a new Seiko lug width matched leather strap (see top of the page – with discount) to your order.

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Seiko Group Corporation (セイコーグループ株式会社, Seikō Gurūpu kabushiki gaisha), commonly known as Seiko, is a Japanese maker of watches, clocks, electronic devices, and semiconductors. Founded in 1881 by Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo, Seiko introduced the world’s first commercial quartz wristwatch in 1969.

Seiko is widely known for its wristwatches. Seiko and Rolex are the only two watch companies considered to be vertically integrated. Seiko is able to design and develop all the components of a watch, as well as assemble, adjust, inspect and ship them in-house. Seiko’s mechanical watches consist of approximately 200 parts, and the company has the technology and production facilities to design and manufacture all of these parts internally.

Seiko offers one of the widest ranges of watch technologies in the world—quartz, kinetic, solar, mechanical, and Spring Drive—spanning everything from affordable everyday pieces to six-figure haute horlogerie. Over the decades it has launched multiple global brands, including Lorus, Pulsar, and Alba, while elevating its prestige through innovations like Spring Drive, which helped push Seiko into higher-end territory. In the 2010s, Grand Seiko and Credor were separated into fully independent luxury brands, while Seiko’s own global lineup now includes Grand Seiko, King Seiko, Prospex, Astron, Presage, and Seiko 5 Sports, with Credor remaining primarily Japan-focused.

Among Seiko’s key lines, Seiko 5 (born in 1963) is the gateway mechanical series known for durability and value; Lord Matic defined 1970s style with faceted crystals and colorful dials; Astron remains Seiko’s flagship GPS-solar tech line; Presage focuses on traditional mechanical craftsmanship with enamel and urushi dials; and Prospex delivers professional-grade dive, field, and pilot watches often embraced by enthusiasts. At the top end, Grand Seiko emphasizes precision, Zaratsu polished design, and movements like Spring Drive, while King Seiko—revived in the 2020s—brings back sharp, elegant 1960s styling with modern calibres.

Finally, Credor represents Seiko’s pinnacle of artisanal watchmaking, producing low-volume pieces in precious metals and showcasing Japanese decorative arts and haute complications from the Micro Artist Studio. Beyond watches, Seiko has also produced various electronic devices and, historically, jewelry and eyewear—though those divisions have since shifted to other companies.