Seiko SQ3003 Quartz

The History

The history and watches of Seiko is such a vast and deep topic that there are entire collectors who devote all of their time and effort exclusively to the brand. Seiko has produced millions of watches ranging thousands of models across a myriad of different sub-brands and price points, but if there is one watch that really defines Seiko the most it certainly has to be the Seiko Astron 35SQ. The Astron 35SQ, released in 1969 was the first commercially available quartz watch and was the watch that kicked off the quartz revolution (or crisis depending on who is writing the history) and brought the Swiss watch industry to its knees. Interestingly enough, modern watch lovers have been drawn to seiko for its Grand Seiko brand which is once again putting the Swiss watch on its heels with their incredible levels of finishing at reasonable prices.

The Reference

This watch is part of the SQ3003 series of quartz watches produced by Seiko from 1971 to 1975. The watch features the 08 caliber movement which is a direct descendant of the early 38QR movement that preceded the original 35SQ. The SQ3003 designation also indicates that this was an export model and not for the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market). From a design standpoint, this watch is all 70s. With its brown tiger’s eye like dial, angular gold plated case, and two-tone bracelet, this watch is a great entry point for those looking to relive the days of disco.

The Case

The 34mm gold plated case is in good condition. The bevels have retained their edges nicely and there are superficial scratches throughout the case. Also of note is some pitting on the lower edges of the sides of the case where the base metal can be seen when not on the wrist. The caseback, crystal, and crown look to be original and are free of major faults.

The Dial and Hands

This watch features quite a unique dial. It has an ombre pattern going from dark brown to amber emulating a tiger’s eye stone across the dial the slopes down at the edges. All of this creates a cut stone effect that adds to the 70s vibe. The date disk is in English and Spanish and displays both the day of the week and the date. The overall condition of the dial is excellent.

The Movement

This watch features a Seiko 08 caliber quartz movement. The watch is running well and the service history is unknown.

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