ALBA Digital W401-4160 "Lithium" – November 1990 – Black and gold JDM digital watch – serviced, new strap

An ALBA where Seiko did not adapt the case, but designed it from scratch for the digital display: The caliber prefix W denotes pure digital movements for Seiko and ALBA, unlike the more common Y used for quartz movements in general.

The case back is stamped W401-4160, serial number 0N2053, as well as the specifications STAINLESS STEEL BACK, 5BAR PLASTICS, WATER RESISTANT and JAPAN. The dial is marked with ALBA and LITHIUM and features the indication WATER 5BAR RESIST.

"Lithium" as a selling point

The lettering on the dial seems casual today, but it wasn't back then. Replacing silver oxide coin cells with lithium batteries extended the service life of a digital watch from about one year to several – a compelling argument for a watch where a trip to the repair shop could easily cost more than the device itself.

The fact that it was prominently printed on the dial shows how heavily the Japanese market relied on technology in its communications during those years. For collectors, this is a useful dating indicator and a piece of marketing history on a three-centimeter surface.

Design

Matte black plastic case with beveled corners, combined with gold-colored lettering throughout: the ALBA logo with the small sail logo, the LITHIUM marking with SELECT label, the day-of-the-week bar with DATE, the assignment line HOUR / MIN. / SEC. above YEAR / MONTH, and the border line around the display field.

Black and gold was the eighties code for upscale features. The watch wears it without exaggeration – the gold tones are exclusively on the lettering, never on the case.

In addition to the time and seconds, the watch displays the day of the week, date, month, and year. A locking function protects against accidental adjustment; it is marked at the bottom edge with LOCK and SET.

Dating

The caliber prefix W identifies digital movements for Seiko and ALBA. The reference to the lithium battery on the dial and the features suggest production in the late 1980s. Exact dating to the day is not possible without factory records; we provide this as a reference point, not as a verified date.

Condition and provenance

The watch comes from Japan and was opened, inspected, and cleaned there, and fitted with a new battery. It is running.

This is a pre-owned original in good condition. The LCD is complete, high-contrast, and clearly legible. The gold dial printing is free of flaws. There are a few fine scratches on the plastic crystal in the upper area, which are hardly noticeable in everyday light. The plastic case is free of cracks or deformations. The steel back shows slight signs of wear with fully legible stamping. The polyurethane strap is new.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical specifications

• Brand: ALBA (Seiko)
• Reference: W401-4160
• Serial number: 0N2053
• Movement: Quartz, digital (LCD), battery-powered
• Functions: Time, seconds, day of week, date, month, year, operation lock
• Case: Plastic with stainless steel back
• Dimensions without crown: 32 × 38 mm
• Height: 6.6 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight incl. strap: 20 g
• Dial: black with gold lettering
• Strap: new polyurethane strap
• Dating: November 1990
• Origin: Japan

For whom?

For collectors looking for a well-preserved, ready-to-wear digital watch from the eighties with a unique design. For everyone for whom the re-issued classics have become too generic. And for wearers who appreciate a 20-gram watch that you forget you are even wearing.

Warranty (used)

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

Note on water resistance

Water resistance is not guaranteed. The 5 BAR indication refers to the condition at the time of delivery. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.