Ricoh Automatic Day-Date, 17 Jewels, black dial with Roman minute track, newly serviced in Japan

This extraordinary Ricoh is a very fine example of the creative and today clearly underestimated Japanese watch design of the 1970s. While Ricoh is now primarily known as a technology and imaging company, it was also active as a watch manufacturer for many years and launched a series of independent mechanical models for both the Japanese home market and export markets. The vintage Ricohs of this era are often characterized by bold case shapes, unusual dial architectures, and a very distinctive design language that clearly sets them apart from Seiko, Citizen, and Orient.

The example offered here is a particularly successful illustration of this. The case alone demonstrates the typical sculptural design language of the 1970s: broad, gently tapering, and with a pronounced presence on the wrist. Added to this is the strongly domed crystal, which gives the watch an almost futuristic character and effectively stages the dial visually. Especially in combination with the deep black, multi-layered dial, a presentation emerges that is at once elegant, graphic, and strikingly individual.

The dial itself is particularly appealing. The inner, dark area with radial brushing contrasts sharply with the lighter outer ring with Roman numerals. Added to this are gold-colored accents for the logo and day/date frame, as well as the striking red leaf motif above "17 Jewels / Shockproof". This combination gives the watch an almost art déco-like, yet clearly 1970s expression. It is precisely this kind of design that makes many vintage Ricohs so interesting for collectors today: technically solid, but visually much bolder than many contemporary mainstream models.

Technically, it is a mechanical automatic movement with day-date display and 17 jewels. The case back also explicitly states "Shockproof", "Anti-Magnetic", and "All Stainless Steel". It is particularly noteworthy that the watch was recently overhauled in Japan. This is a real plus, especially for a rare vintage Ricoh, because while such watches are appealing in design, they are much rarer to find in good technical condition. Together with the very good optical condition, this makes the example particularly attractive for both collectors and wearers.

The watch dates from the 1970s and embodies the experimental spirit of this era in a particularly beautiful way. While an exact production date cannot be determined with certainty from the information visible here, its classification within the 1970s is clear.

It is fitted with a new Milanese bracelet with a pin buckle, which matches the watch very well visually and underlines its elegant, slightly avant-garde character. Overall, it is a rare and exceptionally distinctive Japanese vintage watch with freshly overhauled mechanics, an unusual dial, and a very unique appeal.

Technical Data

• Brand: Ricoh
  
• Model: Automatic Day-Date
  
• Movement: Automatic
  
• Jewels: 17 Jewels
  
• Display: Hour, Minute, Center Second, Day-Date
  
• Case back engravings: Shockproof, Anti-Magnetic, All Stainless Steel
  
• Dial: black, multi-layered, with Roman minute track/index ring and gold-colored Day-Date frame
  
• Case material: Stainless steel
  
• Strap: new Milanese bracelet with pin buckle
  
• Case size without crown: 37.2 × 40 mm
  
• Height: 14.7 mm
  
• Lug width: 18 mm
  
• Weight incl. strap: 71 g
  
• Condition: very good condition
  
• Production period: 1970s
• Condition: very good condition
• Special feature: recently overhauled in Japan

Warranty (used)
This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects (statutory warranty) is 12 months from delivery.

Note
As this is a used watch, water resistance cannot be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.