Ricoh "Riquartz" NOS - Japanese Quartz Watch from the Early Quartz Era (1970s)

A genuine NOS (New Old Stock) Ricoh Riquartz from the heyday of the Japanese quartz revolution – with original hangtag, unworn condition, and characteristic 1970s design. Particularly interesting for collectors: Ricoh was one of the early independent quartz manufacturers in Japan and positioned itself technically well ahead of many competitors.

Historical Context: Ricoh and the Quartz Revolution

The Ricoh brand is primarily known today for cameras and office equipment – but in the 1960s-1970s, it was actually one of the important Japanese watch manufacturers.

• Ricoh acquired the watch company Takano in 1962 and established its own watch production
• As early as 1971, Ricoh developed its own quartz movements – earlier than many competitors (e.g., Citizen)
• With the Riquartz series, Ricoh positioned itself at the center of the 1970s quartz revolution

This phase is closely linked to the so-called "Quartz Crisis", in which Japanese manufacturers with precise and affordable quartz watches dominated the global market

👉 This model originates precisely from this technological upheaval.

This particular example – NOS with original hangtag

This watch is particularly attractive because it is:

• ✔️ unworn (NOS)
• ✔️ has the original price tag (¥21,800)
• ✔️ equipped with the original Riquartz metal bracelet
• ✔️ still has the protective film on the case back

The original retail price of ¥21,800 also shows its positioning at the time:
→ upper-middle class in the Japanese domestic market.

Design and Effect

Typical for the late 1970s:

• Minimalist, very clear dial with applied indices
• classic stick hands + date at 3 o'clock
• balanced proportions (nearly perfect dress watch size)
• distinctive but elegant tonneau/cushion case
• original Milanese/mesh band with stretch function → high wearing comfort

The design appears astonishingly modern today – almost "Bauhaus-inspired."

Technical Data

• Brand: Ricoh
• Model: Riquartz - 591046
• Caliber: Quartz (Ricoh Inhouse)
• Case: Stainless steel
• Diameter: 34.9 mm (without crown)
• Lug-to-Lug: 35.7 mm
• Height: 9.4 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight: 66 g (incl. original metal bracelet)
• Glass: Mineral glass
• Special feature: average rate deviation according to tag approx. ±20 sec./month

Condition

• NOS / unworn
• minimal signs of storage possible
• case back with protective film
• bracelet also original and uncut
• overall exceptionally fresh overall condition

Collector's Perspective

This watch is interesting for several reasons:

• early representative of the Japanese quartz era
• lesser-known brand → "underdog with a history"
• NOS condition → significantly rarer than worn examples
• original hangtag → strong bonus for collectors

While Seiko and Citizen dominate today, Ricoh models are precisely interesting because they are historically relevant but undervalued.

Warranty (used)

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

Note

As this is a used watch, no water resistance can be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.