{"product_id":"vintage-grand-seiko-wristwatch-43999-chronometer-self-dater-1965","title":"Vintage Grand Seiko Wristwatch 43999 Chronometer Self Dater 1965","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grand Seiko 43999\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cal 5722A\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 1965\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 37mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Thickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLug to Lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e 42mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLugs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Used Seiko watch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox \u0026amp; Papers:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless Steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12-Months Warranty\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePOINTS TO MENTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn great pre-owned condition, with light wear\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase and bezel have some light scratches and marks\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAD dial variant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunburst dial \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully serviced manually wound movement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSigned crown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaired with an unworn black leather strap\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly style lion gold medallion is in good condition. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE WATCH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first-ever Grand Seiko model, which is known as the “First”, debuted in 1960. These 35mm watches were made with either gold-filled or solid platinum cases and had thin lugs that extended from the top and bottom of the case, in 1960, they became the first Japanese officially certified chronometer watches and used a movement that would largely carry over to into the GS43999. These are legendary watches, and modern renditions can be found as part of today’s Elegance line within the Grand Seiko catalog under the model name “First.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSignificant changes came in 1963, though, with the new Grand Seiko Self-Dater 43999 Chronometer. The relatively anonymous design of the “First” made way for a more unique case that would quietly set the tone for future GS releases. The somewhat spindly lugs were replaced by chunkier units that flowed organically from the mid-case. Platinum became steel, and gold-filled joined solid gold. The dagger hands remained but were paired with thicker applied indices and logo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe notable addition to the 43999 was a date window, hence the name “Self-Dater.” Its the first-ever Grand Seiko to sport such a feature. Still, we must remember that at this time, Seiko was highly interested in besting the Swiss. Therefore, the brand wasn’t content with simply adding a date function. This watch, 60 years ago, had a very modern and rare (for the time) quick-set mechanism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe watch was designed by Taro Tanaka, the first graduate of a college design programme hired by Seiko. He wanted to design a watch that would “sparkle brilliantly” while on display, one that would compete with the Swiss watches of the time. He came up with a set of rules that would come to be known as the “Grammar of Design.” This meant perfectly flat surfaces and angles for cases, dials, hands and indices. All distortion would be eliminated and the case finish would have a mix of high polish and brushed surfaces, couples with razor-sharp edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Grand Seiko calibre 5722, previously the cal. 430, is a manual winding mechanical movement, that runs at 18000bph, has 35 jewels, known as Self-Dater for being the first Grand Seiko with date function.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA BIT OF TRIVIA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInterestingly, “Chronometer” was on the dial under the Seiko logo through 1966. After this point, the Swiss chronometer rules took effect, and it disappeared. While the watch was a certified chronometer, a Gothic “Grand Seiko” font stood above 6 o’clock. This too was replaced with an applied “GS” logo, “Grand Seiko,” and “Diashock” in 1967 and 1968.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOUR THOUGHTS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Grand Seiko 43999 Self-Dater is an important chapter in the brand’s history, t\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003ehis particular piece sits in that transitional period between the 43999 and the 5722-9990, so you do see slight variations in dial details during this time. As such, it’s not uncommon for them to present without some of the markings you might expect. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis model along with the King Seiko 4420-9990 and Seiko Liner 46999 made up the “big three” chronometer-certified watches from the brand before the rules changed. It’s a mighty watch and being freshly serviced, can easily step for daily duty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Past2PresentWatches","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57714277122435,"sku":"GS5401WO","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/2397\/4423\/files\/grand-seiko-43999-front-_5.jpg?v=1775825549","url":"https:\/\/past2presentwatches.com\/products\/vintage-grand-seiko-wristwatch-43999-chronometer-self-dater-1965","provider":"Past2PresentWatches","version":"1.0","type":"link"}