Ricoh Fine RIQUARTZ – NOS JDM Vintage Quartz – Japan, circa 1970s

Unworn (New Old Stock) · Original Hangtag · Integrated Steel Bracelet · Made in Japan

This exceptionally well-preserved Ricoh Fine RIQUARTZ is a rare example of a New Old Stock (NOS) vintage quartz watch from Japan. The condition is particularly remarkable: the watch has apparently never been worn, still has the original price tag from Japanese retail, and even has the original blue protective film on the case back.

Such perfectly preserved vintage watches are extremely rare to find today – especially from manufacturers like Ricoh, whose historical models, while technically interesting, were often worn daily and therefore rarely survived in unused condition.

The original hangtag shows a retail price of ¥19,800, which was a rather high price range for a Japanese quartz watch at the time.

 

Design and Dial

The dial of this Ricoh Fine is a typical example of the elegant design of Japanese watches from the late 1970s.

It features a deep sunburst blue, which shimmers from dark blue to slightly violet depending on the light. This type of dial was very popular at the time and was intended to emphasize the technical modernity of the then relatively new quartz technology.

The design is deliberately minimalist:

• applied metal baton indices
• slender Dauphine hands
• fine outer minute track
• subtle brand lettering "Ricoh fine"
• red RIQUARTZ logo above the 6 o'clock position

Particularly interesting is the vertical day-date window at 3 o'clock, which displays both the day of the week and the date – a design frequently used in Japanese watches of this era.

 

Case and Integrated Steel Bracelet

The case has a typical 1970s angular shape with integrated lugs, as was common for many sporty-elegant watches at the time.

Features:

• stainless steel case
• screwed case back
• original blue protective film on the back
• integrated stainless steel bracelet
• original Ricoh clasp

The technical specifications are found on the case back:

RIQUARTZ
ALL STAINLESS STEEL
590131
RICOH JAPAN

This reference identifies the model within the Ricoh quartz series.

The integrated steel bracelet is a nice detail and emphasizes the typical 1970s sports watch style, which is very much back in vogue today.

 

Movement – Ricoh RIQUARTZ

The designation RIQUARTZ was Ricoh's brand name for its quartz watches.

In the 1970s, Ricoh was one of the Japanese manufacturers that invested early in quartz technology and developed their own movements.

Typical characteristics of Ricoh quartz movements from this period:

• very reliable electronics
• robust construction
• good accuracy
• low-maintenance technology

The watch has been fitted with a new battery and functions perfectly.

 

Ricoh as a Watch Manufacturer

Ricoh was originally founded in 1936 as Riken Kankoshi Co. and later began manufacturing watches. Particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, Ricoh developed a remarkable range of mechanical and later electronic watches.

While brands like Seiko or Citizen became internationally known, Ricoh remained primarily present in the Japanese domestic market.

Many Ricoh watches from this period were therefore sold as JDM models (Japanese Domestic Market) and were hardly available outside Japan.

Well-preserved examples from this era are now increasingly attracting the attention of collectors of Japanese vintage watches.

 

Scope of Delivery

• Ricoh Fine RIQUARTZ watch
• original integrated stainless steel bracelet
• original Ricoh hangtag with price

 

Dimensions

Diameter (without crown): 36.6 mm
Height: 10 mm
Width 9–3 o'clock: 30.6 mm
Lug width: 18 mm
Weight incl. steel bracelet: 77 g

 

Condition

This watch is in an exceptionally good NOS (New Old Stock) condition.

Features:

• apparently never worn
• original hangtag present
• protective film on the case back still present
• only minimal storage marks

The battery has been recently replaced, so the watch is ready for immediate use.

 

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.