Vintage Seiko DX(Deluxe) Automatic with Emerald Sunburst Dial from May 1969

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.

🕰️The Legacy of the Seiko DX Line

The Seiko DX (Deluxe) line stands as a premier testament to the golden era of late-1960s and 1970s Japanese horology, capturing a transitional moment when watch design shifted from mid-century minimalism to bold, expressive geometric art. Positioned strategically above the entry-level Seiko 5 workhorses but just below the high-end, premium King Seiko and Grand Seiko lines, the DX moniker signified “Deluxe” features, finishing, and mechanical refinement tailored for the discerning everyday consumer.

Rather than relying on utilitarian simplicity, the DX series embraced a distinctly space-age aesthetic. It became a canvas for both of Seiko’s elite manufacturing divisions—Suwa Seikosha and Daini Seikosha—to experiment with avant-garde case shapes, deeply faceted indices, and vibrant, multi-tonal dial gradients. These weren’t just standard timepieces; they were stylistic statements engineered to catch the light from every angle.

Mechanically, the DX line was defined by high-utility, luxury-adjacent features that punched far above its price point. Utilizing robust automatic movements like the caliber 6106, these watches introduced sophisticated engineering touches directly to the mainstream market. This included hacking seconds (the ability to stop the seconds hand completely when the crown is pulled out for precise time synchronization) and advanced, intuitive quickset calendar complications operated simply by pressing the crown inward.

By marrying high-grade, durable engineering with striking visual design, the Seiko DX line carved out a legendary reputation among vintage collectors, embodying an era where Seiko aggressively redefined what an accessible luxury timepiece could be.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Seiko

• Line: DX (Deluxe) Automatic

• Reference: 6106-8209 (engraved on case back; dial printed 6106-8239T)

• Movement: Caliber 6106B Automatic, 17 Jewels (Daini Seikosha)

• Beat Rate: 21,600 bph

• Complications: Day/Date calendar at 3 o’clock with push-crown quickset, hacking seconds

• Dial: Emerald green gradient with applied faceted indices

• Case Material: Stainless steel

• Case Diameter: Approx. 40 mm (excluding crown)

• Case Back: Screw-down, stamped with reference and serial signatures

• Internal Mechanicals: Signed Daini Seikosha 6106B movement, bridge engraved “SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS”

• Bracelet: Stainless steel link bracelet with signed Seiko folding clasp

Watch went through a recent service by a professional watch technician and keeps good time.

Comes complete with original steel bracelet*.

(*)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 with your order.

Why Collectors and Enthusiasts Covet This Watch Today

• The Ultimate “Funky Seiko” Aesthetic: In a modern market saturated with conservative, repetitive watch designs, the bold style of the late 1960s has seen a massive resurgence. The striking emerald green sunburst dial and cushion-shaped case offer an authentic, unmistakable retro-futuristic charm that instantly stands out on the wrist.

• Over-Engineered Vintage Value: The Caliber 6106 movement inside this watch is celebrated for its sheer reliability and premium feature set. Finding a true vintage timepiece at an accessible price point that includes both a hacking seconds hand and an effortless push-crown quickset day/date mechanism is a massive draw for practical collectors.

• A Pure Conversation Starter: Beyond its mechanical merit, this Seiko DX is a piece of wearable history from 1969—the exact year watchmaking was changed forever by the quartz revolution. It represents the absolute peak of mechanical innovation for everyday consumers before the digital age, making it an incredibly compelling story to share with fellow enthusiasts.

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• PayPal
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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 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.