{"product_id":"seiko-quartz-type-ii-ref-4623-8030-kaliber-4623-daini-seikosha-grunes-verlaufszifferblatt-januar-1977","title":"Seiko Quartz Type II – Ref. 4623-8030 – Caliber 4623, Daini Seikosha – green gradient dial – January 1977","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA shimmering green dial with fine vertical pinstriping, gold indices, an angular steel case, and a Kanji day wheel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis is Japan, 1977.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhat \"Type II\" means\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe designation does not refer to a design, but to a price point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhen Seiko introduced the world's first quartz wristwatch with the Astron in 1969, quartz technology was a luxury good. Early quartz watches from the 38 and 48 caliber series cost many times more than a good automatic watch. By the mid-1970s, this had changed: manufacturing became manageable, production numbers increased, and Seiko was able to offer quartz watches to a broad consumer base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis is exactly why the company introduced the \u003cstrong\u003eType II\u003c\/strong\u003e designation in 1976—for quartz watches priced between approximately ¥18,000 and ¥34,000. That was still more than most Seiko automatic watches cost at the time, but it was attainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe series ran from 1976 to 1984, peaking in 1979 with around ninety-five models in a single catalog. It declined rapidly thereafter; by the early 1980s, only a few references remained before Seiko replaced the designation with the acronym \u003cstrong\u003eSQ\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eType II thus marks a concrete moment: the transition of the quartz watch from a technical prestige object to an everyday timepiece. And because these models were built exclusively for the Japanese market, they consistently feature a bilingual day wheel in Kanji and English.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSuwa and Daini\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThere is a small lightning bolt on the dial and the case back. It means: This watch comes from \u003cstrong\u003eDaini Seikosha\u003c\/strong\u003e in Tokyo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor decades, Seiko maintained two completely separate production facilities that competed against each other—Suwa Seikosha in Nagano and Daini in Tokyo. Suwa developed Grand Seiko, Daini developed King Seiko. This competition continued into the quartz era: both factories developed their own quartz calibers, and the Type II series included movements from both houses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe 4623 caliber\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnalog quartz movement\u003c\/strong\u003e with day and date display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick-set\u003c\/strong\u003e for day and date\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eBilingual day wheel\u003c\/strong\u003e, Japanese and English\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eManufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eDaini Seikosha\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe bilingual day wheel follows the Japanese calendar convention: Sunday in red, Saturday in blue. In the photo, it is Sunday in red—a detail not found on European watches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA special feature on the back:\u003c\/strong\u003e The case back features its own screw-in \u003cstrong\u003ebattery hatch\u003c\/strong\u003e with an arrow marking and the inscription \"OPEN\". Battery changes can therefore be performed without opening the entire case back—the main case back seal remains untouched. Seiko used this design for some of their early quartz watches; nobody makes them like this anymore today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDial and Case\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe dial is the heart of this watch. It features fine vertical pinstriping and a gradient that transitions from a light, almost silvery green in the center to a deep bottle green toward the edges. Depending on the light, the surface appears silver, moss green, or almost black.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe hour markers are applied batons with gold tops and white sides—a two-tone effect that shifts with every change in light. These are accompanied by gold-colored, longitudinally ribbed hands and a slender seconds hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe dial is inscribed with \u003cem\u003eSEIKO \/ QUARTZ\u003c\/em\u003e at the top, and the Daini emblem, \u003cem\u003eTYPE II\u003c\/em\u003e, and the lightning bolt symbol at the bottom. The calendar window at three o'clock is framed in gold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe stainless steel case displays the angular, faceted design language of the late 1970s: brushed tops, polished sides, and wide, tapering lugs. With a diameter of 36.6 mm and a 41.4 mm lug-to-lug distance, it is classically proportioned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIt is fitted with the \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal Seiko steel bracelet\u003c\/strong\u003e with its articulated construction and a (rare) stretch end link, which gives the watch exceptional wearing comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c!--h3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFunctional; timekeeping as well as the quick-set for day and date work perfectly. The watch was fully serviced, cleaned, and checked by a watchmaker in Japan in the spring\/summer of 2026 and fitted with a new battery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe dial is well-preserved: the gradient is even, the vertical pinstriping is intact across the entire surface, and the applied indices are secure and free of corrosion. The lettering is complete and sharp. Upon close inspection, isolated small dots are visible in the lower area, which are not noticeable while worn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe stainless steel case shows age-appropriate signs of wear; the surface transitions remain crisp. The case back has fine scratches, but all engravings—reference 4623-8030, serial number, Daini lightning bolt—are complete and clearly legible. The crystal is clear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe original bracelet shows signs of wear on the edges of the links, but is complete and functional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand \/ Line:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko, Quartz Type II\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4623-8030\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerial number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 714973\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduction date:\u003c\/strong\u003e January 1977\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko caliber 4623, analog quartz movement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Daini Seikosha, Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes, seconds, day and date with quick-set, bilingual day wheel (Japanese\/English)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel, back with separate battery hatch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter (without crown):\u003c\/strong\u003e 36.6 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 13.1 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug-to-lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e 41.4 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (incl. bracelet):\u003c\/strong\u003e 81 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eBracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Seiko steel bracelet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mineral glass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor whom\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor anyone looking for a dial that comes alive in the light. The combination of vertical pinstriping, gradient, and two-tone indices creates an effect that was only produced in this form during the 1970s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor starting a collection of Japanese watches. An original JDM Seiko with a Kanji day wheel, Daini emblem, and original bracelet that runs and requires no maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAnd for collectors who take the quartz era seriously. Type II is not the watch with which Seiko invented quartz technology—it is the watch with which Seiko brought it into everyday life. That is historically the more interesting process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty (used)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects (statutory warranty) is 12 months from delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs this is a vintage watch, water resistance cannot be guaranteed. To protect the movement, 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":54785079705938,"sku":"A496","price":289.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0911\/3908\/0530\/files\/5294B4E7-7B8E-4DAD-BEE6-182FAD41040A.jpg?v=1789929234","url":"https:\/\/japanese-microbrands.com\/en\/products\/seiko-quartz-type-ii-ref-4623-8030-kaliber-4623-daini-seikosha-grunes-verlaufszifferblatt-januar-1977","provider":"Japanese Microbrands - Mario Lenke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}