{"product_id":"seiko-precision-second-setting-19-jewels-jnr-niigata-showa-40-1965-dienstnummer-0022","title":"Seiko Precision Second Setting – 19 Jewels – JNR Niigata – Shōwa 40 \/ 1965 – Service Number 0022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA very early second-setting railway watch from 1965 – with precisely traceable JNR provenance from Niigata.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis large Seiko Precision is a genuine service instrument of the \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese National Railways\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dial reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSEIKO\u003cbr\u003ePRECISION\u003cbr\u003e19 JEWELS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand around the small seconds:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSECOND SETTING DIAFLEX\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case back features the particularly interesting engraving:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e昭40\u003cbr\u003e新支\u003cbr\u003e0022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis allows the watch to be precisely historically classified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e昭40 = Shōwa 40 = 1965.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe abbreviation \u003cstrong\u003e新支\u003c\/strong\u003e is assigned to the \u003cstrong\u003eNiigata Branch \/ 新潟支社\u003c\/strong\u003e for JNR service watches. Comparable documented railway watches with the marking 新支 are explicitly listed as service watches of the Niigata branch in Japanese railway collections. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe individual number is \u003cstrong\u003e0022\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Service Watch, Not a Railway Souvenir\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis watch was not sold to railway enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt belonged to a generation of professional pocket watches issued by the Japanese National Railways to employees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom today's collector's perspective, this is precisely what matters: the engraving on the back documents the \u003cstrong\u003eyear, regional administration, and individual issue number\u003c\/strong\u003e, transforming a Seiko Precision into a historically identifiable working instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e1965 – A Significant Phase\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe year 1965 lies immediately at the beginning of Japan's modern high-speed era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust one year prior, Japan had opened the Tokaido Shinkansen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the same time, Seiko continued to technically develop its classic railway watches. The more advanced variants featured the \u003cstrong\u003esecond-setting function\u003c\/strong\u003e to facilitate second-accurate synchronization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese specialized sources explicitly point out that precisely \u003cstrong\u003esecond-setting railway watches issued in 1965\u003c\/strong\u003e are particularly historically interesting within railway watches. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough this example bears a Niigata and not a Shinkansen administration engraving, it originates precisely from this early development phase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSecond Setting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second-setting function is a design specifically aimed at precise time synchronization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn corresponding 19-Seiko models, when the crown is pulled, the second hand moves to the zero position and stops there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis allows the wearer to restart the watch precisely at the top of the minute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor professional railway operation, this was significantly more practical than any second position with a conventional hacking mechanism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiaflex and 19 Jewels\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mechanical hand-wound movement has \u003cstrong\u003e19 Jewels\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiaflex\u003c\/strong\u003e refers to Seiko's own robust mainspring construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically, this watch thus demonstrates how much Seiko designed its professional railway models for longevity and reliable maintainability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDesign\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe large, light dial is entirely subordinated to legibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack, highly stylized Arabic numerals fill a significant portion of the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe small seconds are at 6 o'clock, surrounded by the second-setting scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrong black hands ensure the necessary contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis design was not retrospectively created in a \"Railway Style\" – it arose from the actual requirements of railway operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case shows clear signs of wear, abrasion, and age-related changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dial also shows patina, but is overall attractive and easily legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly important is the very clear service engraving on the back:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e昭40 新支 0022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA current service is not documented.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition is fully and unretouched depicted in the product photos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector's Value\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor railway watches of this kind, not only model and condition determine the value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly important are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eearly issue year\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esecond-setting technology\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e19-jewel execution\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eclearly identifiable JNR branch\u003c\/strong\u003e, and\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elow individual service number\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e19-Seiko railway watches are now regularly offered in specialized Japanese vintage trade \u003cstrong\u003efrom about EUR 550–650\u003c\/strong\u003e; interesting early or regionally clearly assignable examples are priced higher. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrecisely the combination of \u003cstrong\u003e1965, Niigata, and service number 0022\u003c\/strong\u003e makes this example, in our opinion, above average attractive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Precision \/ 19 Seiko\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Railway service watch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japanese National Railways\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eService Year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shōwa 40 \/ 1965\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eService Location:\u003c\/strong\u003e 新支 – Niigata Branch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eService Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mechanical hand-wound\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJewels:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19 Jewels\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTechnology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Second Setting \/ Diaflex\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hour, minute, small seconds, second synchronization\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50.2 mm without crown\/bow\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14.6 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100 g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cream with Arabic numerals\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChain:\u003c\/strong\u003e none\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\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 railway service 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":54197062336850,"sku":"A416","price":749.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0911\/3908\/0530\/files\/9157652D-3867-41D5-8BCD-A4177B19A0BF.jpg?v=1786026661","url":"https:\/\/japanese-microbrands.com\/en\/products\/seiko-precision-second-setting-19-jewels-jnr-niigata-showa-40-1965-dienstnummer-0022","provider":"Japanese Microbrands - Mario Lenke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}