{"product_id":"ricoh-expo-70-osaka-world-expo-17-jewels-handaufzug-ref-43035","title":"Ricoh EXPO ’70 – Osaka World Expo – 17 Jewels – Manual Wind – Ref. 43035","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Watch as a Piece of the World Exhibition: Ricoh's Unusual Reminder of the Osaka Expo 1970.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mechanical Ricoh was created for the \u003cstrong\u003eJapan World Exposition Osaka 1970 – EXPO ’70\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not an ordinary watch that had an Expo logo printed on it later. The entire design adopts the visual language of the official exhibition emblem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProminently displayed on the dial:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEXPO ’70\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand the case back also bears the official five-petal symbol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes this watch a genuine design object from one of the most significant cultural events of Japan's post-war boom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOsaka 1970 – \"Progress and Harmony for Mankind\"\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpo ’70 took place in Osaka under the motto\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Progress and Harmony for Mankind”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was the first World Exhibition in Japan and was visited by more than \u003cstrong\u003e64 million people\u003c\/strong\u003e – a massive national event at a time when Japan was positioning itself internationally as a modern technological and industrial nation. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom today's perspective, Expo ’70 therefore represents Japan's technological optimism around 1970 like hardly any other event.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Famous Expo Symbol\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe official emblem was designed by Japanese graphic designer \u003cstrong\u003eTakeshi Otaka\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall shape represents a \u003cstrong\u003echerry blossom\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its five petals symbolize the five continents and thus the international community. The circle in the center represents the Japanese sun. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is precisely this design that Ricoh adopts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dial is structured by five large circular segments, while the darker center incorporates the shape of the Expo blossom. Thus, the official symbol is not just printed on the watch – it forms the actual architecture of the design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRicoh as a Japanese Watch Manufacturer\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Ricoh is primarily associated with cameras, copiers, and office electronics. In the 1960s and 1970s, however, Ricoh was also a serious Japanese watch manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe roots of this division trace back to \u003cstrong\u003eTakano Seimitsu Kogyo\u003c\/strong\u003e. In 1962, Takano was acquired by the San-Ai Group, led by Riken Optical – later Ricoh. This ended the brief Takano era, but at the same time, Ricoh's independent watch history began. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Ricoh watch from 1970 therefore originates from a phase in which the company was still intensively developing mechanical watches for the Japanese market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMechanical Expo Souvenir\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside, a mechanical \u003cstrong\u003emanual-wind movement with 17 jewels\u003c\/strong\u003e is at work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch must therefore – quite typical of the era – be wound regularly via the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is particularly appealing for an Expo collector's item: here, the futuristic design of the World Exhibition combines with classic mechanical watchmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCase and Wearing Style\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gold-colored case measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e40 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e and is not equipped with conventional lugs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead, the watch was designed as a \u003cstrong\u003ependant or necklace watch\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brown leather strap mounted here allows it to be worn as a pendant; it is not the original strap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case back bears the EXPO-’70 symbol again, in addition to the Ricoh marking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch shows visible age- and wear-related scratches and abrasion on the gold-colored surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEspecially with this model, the collector's appeal lies less in flawless surface cosmetics than in the preserved unusual case shape, the original Expo dial, and the symbol mark on the back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA recent service is \u003cstrong\u003enot documented\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition is shown unretouched in the product images.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector's Value\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpo-’70 watches represent an interesting intersection between \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese vintage watches, World's Fair memorabilia, and Japanese industrial design\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike mass-produced Expo souvenirs, this is also a mechanical watch with 17 jewels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unusual pendant form of this specimen and the particularly consistent implementation of the official emblem make it, in our opinion, even more interesting than an ordinary Expo wristwatch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ricoh\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e EXPO ’70 Commemorative Watch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43035\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOccasion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan World Exposition Osaka 1970\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mechanical manual-wind\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJewels:\u003c\/strong\u003e 17 Jewels\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hour, Minute, Center Seconds\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-colored\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 40 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9.4 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight incl. strap:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36 g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold \/ Dark, EXPO ’70\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrap:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brown leather necklace strap, not original\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1970\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWarranty (used)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects under the statutory warranty is 12 months from delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNote on Water Resistance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo water resistance is guaranteed for this historical watch. The watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage \u0026 JDM (Japan Domestic Market)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54189424050514,"sku":"A426","price":459.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0911\/3908\/0530\/files\/AB3778F3-0983-4175-AD58-A8F40A60788A.jpg?v=1786028201","url":"https:\/\/japanese-microbrands.com\/en\/products\/ricoh-expo-70-osaka-world-expo-17-jewels-handaufzug-ref-43035","provider":"Japanese Microbrands - Mario Lenke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}