ALBA Quartz Y723-5000 – September 1989 – gold-plated digital watch with Milanese bracelet – serviced

The golden sister to the A197c [enter into search]: the same caliber family, the same display architecture, but executed in a gold-plated case with a Milanese bracelet – the combination intended to make the digital watch socially acceptable in the mid-eighties.

The case back bears the engraving Y723-5000, the serial number 995460, and the markings BASE METAL BEZEL, ST. STEEL BACK, and WATER RESISTANT. The dial is marked ALBA QUARTZ.

The digital watch for evening wear

The early digital watch was a technical object: black plastic case, function legends, sporty aesthetic. In the early eighties, Japanese manufacturers attempted to transition it into the dress watch segment – using gold-plated cases, Milanese bracelets, and dials that largely dispensed with function labels.

The experiment was a commercial success and is today the most interesting chapter of the digital era in terms of design, because it forces together two design languages that actually exclude one another. These models are much rarer today than their black counterparts: gold plating stood up to daily wear worse than plastic.

Design

An octagonal, flattened gold-plated case with polished facets. The black front panel bears the inscription ALBA QUARTZ in gold, with the operating instruction MODE·SET to its right.

The display field is framed by a double golden border line that follows the octagonal contour of the case, giving the front panel a second level. The day-of-the-week bar runs below, while LIGHT and SELECT are positioned at the bottom edge.

The Milanese bracelet, with its fine mesh structure, continues the gold tone and gives the watch an aesthetic that consciously contrasts with the technology inside.

Please note: The case back engraving identifies the bezel as base metal (BASE METAL BEZEL). This is gold plating, not solid gold.

Dating

The serial number 995460 follows Seiko’s system: the first digit indicates the last digit of the year, the second the month. This results in September of a year ending in 9. Display technology, case shape, and belonging to the Y723 family point to September 1989. Since the Seiko serial number only indicates the last digit of the year, 1979 or 1999 are mathematically possible; we consider 1989 to be the much more likely assignment, but provide it as a reference point rather than a certified date.

Condition and provenance

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

This is a worn original with clear signs of use. The LCD is complete and readable; there is slight, uneven discoloration in the display field, which is common in displays of this age. The golden dial lettering is complete.

The gold plating is worn off on the case edges, at the lugs, and on the bottom edge of the case; the base metal is visible there. This wear is clearly visible in the product photos. The steel case back shows circular scratches, and the engraving is fully legible. The Milanese bracelet is used, flexible, and free of damage.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical data

• Brand: ALBA (Seiko)
• Reference: Y723-5000
• Serial number: 995460
• Movement: Quartz, digital (LCD), battery-powered
• Functions: Time, seconds, day of the week, date, display light
• Case: Gold-plated base metal, stainless steel back
• Dimensions without crown: 32.6 × 31.2 mm
• Height: 7.5 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 37.1 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight incl. bracelet: 47 g
• Dial: black with gold lettering and border line
• Bracelet: Milanese bracelet, gold-colored
• Dating: September 1989
• Provenance: Japan

For whom?

For collectors looking for the digital watch in its dress variant – a chapter that remains undervalued compared to the black sport models. For wearers who appreciate a Milanese bracelet. And for anyone who views worn gold plating on the edges as evidence of a life well-lived.

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 case back engraving indicates the condition at the time of manufacture. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.