Vintage 1974 Seiko Automatic 17 jewel mechanical watch – Charcoal Crosshair Dial

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.”
The name first appeared on a watch dial in 1924, shortened from Seikosha and keeping the core meaning; the company itself was renamed Hattori Seiko in 1983 and Seiko Corporation in 1990.

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.

🕰️ DESCRIPTION

Step back into the golden era of Seiko’s watchmaking with this striking 1974 Seiko Ref. 7005-8062. Known among vintage enthusiasts for its commanding wrist presence, this model stands out with a case profile that was daringly ahead of its time for the early 1970s.

The defining crown jewel of this timepiece is its original dark charcoal crosshair dial. The subtle white intersecting lines split the face into clean quadrants, creating a sophisticated, instrument-like aesthetic that effortlessly anchors any outfit. Paired with a date window at 3 o’clock and balanced by the bold Daini Seikosha lightning bolt logo at 6, it offers a visual depth rarely found in modern watches.

Under the hood beats the iconic Seiko Caliber 7005A automatic movement. Celebrated by watchmakers as a masterpiece of minimalist, high-efficiency engineering, this early iteration is constructed entirely of durable metal parts—avoiding the plastic components introduced in later decades. It utilizes Seiko’s famous bi-directional “Magic Lever” winding mechanism to effortlessly power your watch with the natural movement of your wrist.

Whether you are a seasoned collector or searching for your first authentic vintage timepiece, this Seiko offers an unbeatable blend of 70s character, robust reliability, and mid-century design.

Technical Details

• Brand: Seiko

• Reference Number: 7005-8062

• Serial Number: 410048 (Manufactured January 1974)

• Movement: Seiko Caliber 7005A; Automatic, 17 Jewels, 21,600 bph

• Winding System: Bi-directional Magic Lever winding system

• Case Material: Solid Stainless Steel

• Case Diameter: ~38.5mm (excluding the semi-recessed crown)

• Dial: Original charcoal/dark grey dial with crosshair motif and applied hour markers

• Complications: Quickset Date window at 3 o’clock

• Crystal: Domed acrylic crystal

• Caseback: Screw-down stainless steel caseback featuring factory engraving

• Strap: Aftermarket black leather strap with contrast stitching

This watch has recently been serviced by a professional watchmaker and keeps good time.

Comes complete with new leather strap

(*)Note: Stock bracelets are often shortened by previous owners and may not fit you(see bracelet size in the product images). We match the strap to this watch’s lug width, so there is nothing for you to measure — just pick a padded leather strap for Seiko from the options at the top of the page.

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We guarantee the item you receive looks and works exactly as advertised — or your money back.

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 is one of the few watch companies that is fully 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 2017, Grand Seiko was spun off into its own standalone luxury brand, while Credor remains part of Seiko’s own lineup, sold primarily in Japan. Seiko’s own global lineup now includes Grand Seiko, King Seiko, Prospex, Astron, Presage, and Seiko 5 Sports.

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.