An exceptional vintage quartz watch from the early phase of the quartz revolution: this Seiko VFA Quartz Ref. 3823-7000 is one of the most technically ambitious series that Seiko produced in the early 1970s.

The lettering VFA (Very Fine Adjusted) exclusively designates Seiko movements that have been particularly carefully regulated and achieved exceptionally high precision. While normal quartz watches were already very accurate, the caliber of this series was set to a deviation of about ±5 seconds per month – a value that was considered an absolute top performance in the early 1970s.

The reference 3823-7000 is one of the early high-end quartz models that were developed after the legendary Seiko Astron of 1969, the world's first mass-produced quartz watch.

The VFA series – Seiko's precision elite

Within the Seiko product range, VFA (Very Fine Adjusted) represented one of the highest quality levels.

The term was originally used for mechanical Grand Seiko and referred to particularly precisely regulated top models. Seiko transferred this concept to its most technologically advanced quartz movements in the early 1970s.

The VFA quartz models were:

• individually regulated and particularly precisely adjusted
• Significantly more expensive than normal quartz watches
• Technically on par with the brand's top models at the time

In practice, they are therefore in a similar prestige category to Grand Seiko or King Seiko, but with the most modern technology of the time: the quartz movement.

The sales price at the time was about 141,000 yen, which in the early 1970s corresponded to about two average monthly salaries in Japan.

Why VFA models are particularly sought after today

The early VFA quartz models hold a special position in Seiko's history.

They were created during a phase in which Seiko tried to achieve the highest possible precision with quartz technology. The production of these models was comparatively small, as they were very expensive and were only produced for a short time.

Many collectors therefore consider VFA quartz models to be:

• technological top models of the early quartz era
• historical links between Grand Seiko mechanics and later Grand Seiko Quartz
• Important milestones in Japanese watchmaking

Another factor is that many of these watches were heavily worn in everyday life and are now significantly rarer to find in good condition.

For this reason, well-preserved examples are particularly valued by vintage Seiko collectors today.

Year of production

The serial number on the case back is:

341591

For Seiko, this means:

• first digit = year of production within the decade

• second digit = month of production

This results in:

April 1973

This watch therefore comes from the early phase of VFA production and is one of the technically ambitious high-end quartz models of the early 1970s.

Technical data

Brand: Seiko
Model: VFA Quartz
Reference: 3823-7000

Caliber: Seiko 3823A Quartz
Special feature: Very finely adjusted - regulated to approx. ±5 seconds per month

Production year: April 1973

Case: Stainless steel

Diameter: approx. 37 mm
Lug-to-Lug: approx. 43.5 mm
Height: approx. 13 mm

Strap: Original Seiko stainless steel strap (integrated)
Lug width: 16 mm

Glass: Hardlex

Functions

• Hour
• Minute
• Central second
• Day-date display (Kanji / English)

Weight: approx. 88 g including original strap

Design

Typical for high-quality Seiko models of the early 1970s is the futuristic case design with integrated lugs, which is strongly influenced by the industrial design of that time.

Special features:

• applied metal indices
• finely brushed stainless steel case
• contains Hardlex glass
• Day-Date display with Japanese weekday
• Original solid Seiko steel bracelet

The minimalist dial and clear lines give the watch a modern, timeless aesthetic.

Condition

Very nice vintage condition with signs of use appropriate for its age.

The watch was serviced in Japan by a watchmaker in autumn 2025 .

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

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