ALBA Alarm Chronograph Y799-5020 – December 1985 – Seiko sub-brand, JDM digital watch – serviced, new strap

A Japanese digital watch from the era when Seiko was running its secondary brand ALBA as an independent line for the domestic market. Digital watches of this type were produced in large numbers, but today they are hard to find in unrestored condition with a functional display: the LCD modules and their polarizing films age significantly faster than the case.

The case back bears the engraving BACK Y799-5020, the serial number 5D2572, as well as the markings STAINLESS STEEL BACK, BASE METAL BEZEL, and WATER RESIST BASE. The dial is labeled ALBA ALARM-CHRONOGRAPH and features the water-resistance marking WATER 50m RESIST.

ALBA – Seiko’s line for the Japanese domestic market

ALBA was created as an answer to a market gap that Seiko had created in-house: the main brand had moved so far upmarket in the late 1970s that younger buyers no longer perceived it as their brand. ALBA was intended to win these buyers back – with the same movement technology, but simpler case manufacturing and a design that dispensed with suit and status conventions.

For collectors, this is the more interesting half of the company today. While the Seiko references of those years are well-documented and widely traded, hardly any literature exists for ALBA; many references are only now appearing in the West because they never left the Japanese market.

Design

A softly drawn tonneau case with a polished frame, containing a deep black front plate, on which the function labels are printed in light blue: ST-W, A.SET, T.SET, SPLIT, STOP, 1/100S above the day-of-the-week strip, below it the assignment of the four pushers to DATE, SELECT, START-STOP, as well as ALARM, SET, SPLIT-RESET.

The display field is enclosed by a fine blue border line that follows the contour of the case. It is pure utility graphics without decorative intent – every label serves a function, and that is exactly the appeal of this generation.

Operation is via four pushers in the case flanks. In addition to the time display, the watch offers day of the week, date, alarm, as well as a chronograph with hundredths-of-a-second resolution, split time, and reset function.

Dating

The caliber prefix Y identifies quartz movements at Seiko and ALBA. Reference and design indicate manufacture in the 1980s. Dating ALBA digital references to the exact day is not possible without factory records; we provide the decade as a guideline, not as a confirmed date.

Condition and Provenance

The watch originates from Japan and was opened, inspected, cleaned, and fitted with a new battery there. It is running, and all functions are responsive.

It is a pre-owned original with visible signs of wear. The LCD is complete and clearly legible; the dial printing is complete and without missing areas. The chrome frame shows fine scratches and dull spots on the top. At the lugs and on the case flanks, the chrome plating has worn off in places; there are localized dark corrosion spots there. The case back is scratched while the engraving remains fully legible. The polyurethane strap is new.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: ALBA (Seiko)
• Reference: Y799-5020
• Serial number: 5D2572
• Movement: Quartz, digital (LCD), battery-powered
• Functions: Time, seconds, day of week, date, alarm, chronograph with split and reset
• Case: Stainless steel back, chrome-plated bezel on base metal
• Dimensions excluding crown: 32.3 × 29 mm
• Height: 6.8 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 35.4 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight incl. strap: 35 g
• Dial: black with light blue function labels
• Strap: new polyurethane strap
• Dating: December 1985
• Origin: Japan

For whom?

For collectors of digital JDM watches looking for an honest everyday piece with a functioning display. For slim wrists, which are well-suited to 32 millimeters. And for anyone who does not view patina on the case as a flaw, but as evidence that the watch was used.

Warranty (used)

This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects within the scope of the statutory warranty is 12 months from delivery.

Note on water resistance

Water resistance is not guaranteed. The marking on the dial indicates the condition at the time of delivery. To protect the watch movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.