Vintage Seiko Wristwatch World Time 6217-7000 Automatic 1964

SPECIFICATION

Reference: Seiko 6217-7000
Movement: Automatic calibre 6217
Age: April 1964
Case Size: 37mm
Case Thickness: 11mm
Lug to Lug: 43mm
Lugs: 19mm
Condition: used Seiko watch
Box & Papers: No
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Warranty: 12-Months Warranty

POINTS TO MENTION

• In good pre-owned condition, with some wear from use 
  
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
  
• Grey sunburst dial some patina to the indices
• Case back etching faded
• Crown has some pitting and wear
• Fully serviced movement
  
• New old stock crystal fitted
• Paired with an unworn grey leather strap

THE WATCH

This grey dial variant of the Seiko 6217-7000 offers a striking and sophisticated take on Seiko’s first World Time design. Powered by the in-house calibre 6217A, a 17-jewel automatic movement beating at 18,000 bph, it delivers reliable performance while driving both a 24-hour indicator ring and an inner rotating city bezel to track global time zones — an impressive complication for 1964. The stainless steel case measures 37 mm in diameter and 43 mm lug-to-lug, giving it a balanced, mid-century presence on the wrist. Its grey sunburst dial is paired with polished dauphine hands and applied silver indices, creating a refined contrast that enhances both legibility and vintage appeal. The world-time function is controlled via the 4 o’clock crown, rotating the inner city ring listing 26 major global locations. Completing the design, the case back proudly bears the engraved Olympic torch emblem, symbolising Seiko’s role as official timekeeper for the 1964 Tokyo Games — a historic moment for both the company and Japanese watchmaking.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

The Seiko 6217-7000 was the first model in Seiko’s “World Time” series, created to coincide with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics — a defining moment for both Japan and Seiko as a brand. The Olympics represented Japan’s post-war resurgence on the world stage, and Seiko, as the official timekeeper, sought to showcase its technical innovation and global ambitions. The 6217-7000 embodied this perfectly, introducing a practical “world time” function designed for international travellers — a sophisticated feature at the time.

Initial production of the 6217-7000 ran from March to November 1964, making it a relatively short-lived but historically significant model. Seiko later produced a small continuation run in 1967, which retained much of the original design but featured minor updates. The watch marked a milestone in Seiko’s horological development, being the company’s first true world timer and a foundation for later travel-focused designs.

Beyond its technical novelty, the 6217-7000 also carried symbolic value: it represented Seiko’s transition from a domestic manufacturer to a serious global player. For collectors and enthusiasts today, it stands as a tangible piece of both Seiko’s and Japan’s mid-century watchmaking story — a blend of national pride, precision engineering, and emerging internationalism.

OUR THOUGHTS

The Seiko 6217-7000 perfectly captures Seiko’s leap into the modern era of watchmaking.
Its blend of technical ingenuity and understated 1960s design gives it lasting appeal.
The Olympic torch case back add both rarity and symbolic depth.
It’s a watch that remains timeless — a wearable piece of Seiko’s history.