Seiko Watch Duotime Automatic GMT 5619-7000 vintage 1972

SPECIFICATION

Reference : Seiko 5619-7000
Movement : 5619
Age : May 1972
Case Size : 37mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 42mm
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : used Seiko watch
Box & Papers : No
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty

 POINTS TO MENTION

• In great pre-owned condition, with some wear from use
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
• Fully serviced movement with upgraded metal quickset
• Navy blue dial
• The dial has some light marks and blemishes
• The lume in the GMT hand has some pantina
• Paired on an unworn blue leather strap

When Vintage Seiko GMTs Come to Mind…

Most vintage Seiko fans will immediately think of the 6117 World Time or the Navigator Timer when the topic of early Seiko GMT watches comes up. But there’s another lesser-known contender from the same era that deserves attention—the Seiko Duotime 5619-7000.

Produced from 1972 to 1974, the Duotime was a unique entry in Seiko’s catalog. It featured one of the earliest implementations of a quick-set, independently adjustable 12-hour hand—long before the GMT complication became standard fare. This function allowed the user to set a second time zone with ease, making it especially useful for business or international communication.

The setting mechanism is clever: pulling the crown out one click lets you adjust the orange hand in one-hour increments by turning it one way, while turning it the other direction changes the date. A second crown position allows for standard time adjustment. This intuitive design made the Duotime a practical, forward-thinking tool for its time.

Beneath the dial ticks Seiko’s 5619 movement—part of the broader 56-series family, which also powered Lord Matic, King Seiko, and Grand Seiko watches of the period. While the KS and GS models used high-beat calibers like the 562x and 564x series running at 28,800 beats per hour (bph), the Duotime operates at a more conventional 21,600 bph. It hacks, has a power reserve of 46 hours, and like its Lord Matic siblings, is built for reliability with a touch of refinement.

Two main versions of the Duotime were offered—the 5619-700x “Duo-Time” series and the 701x. Dials came in silver, blue, and white. The case design, especially in the 7000 reference, strongly reflects Taro Tanaka’s celebrated “Grammar of Design” with its angular lines and clean mirror-polished surfaces.

A Quick Note on GMT Watches

The rise of GMT watches was directly tied to the post-WWII boom in global air travel. Pilots and frequent flyers needed a way to track time both at home and abroad. Glycine was among the first to answer that call with the 1953 Airman, featuring a 24-hour dial and rotating bezel for dual time tracking. But it was Rolex that truly popularized the concept with its 1954 GMT-Master, developed for Pan Am pilots and featuring an independently set fourth hand and a rotating 24-hour bezel.

The Seiko Duotime doesn’t follow the same GMT format exactly. With its independently adjustable 12-hour hand and no 24-hour scale, it fits best in what collectors call the “caller GMT” or “office GMT” category. These watches are designed more for tracking time in a second location from your desk than hopping time zones mid-flight. They’re ideal for keeping in sync with colleagues, partners, or family members abroad.

Why We Love It

There’s something incredibly appealing about a rare, thoughtfully designed Seiko—especially one that flies under the radar. The Duotime 5619-7000 delivers that in spades. It offers vintage charm, practical functionality, and a beautifully balanced design. The example we’re highlighting features a rich navy-blue dial, offset by a vibrant orange 12-hour hand that gives it a pop of personality. It’s stylish, conversation-starting, and versatile enough for everyday wear.

These don’t surface often in the UK, so if a low-key, high-function vintage Seiko is your thing, this might be the one worth jumping on.