The Origin. The Contras were an anti-communist, rebel group in Nicaragua to whom America officially (and later very unofficially) supplied weapons, in order to arm them against the Russian supported Sandinista government. Just Cold War things. Even with me glossing over the illegal sale of missiles to Iran, Oliver North, and destruction of so many government documents that a White House shredder literally broke, it’s still easy to see how murky the Iran-Contra affair was.
The Name. According to legend, the Contra rebels were a fans of the Field Master’s utility and were regularly seen wearing them. Who can them blame? It’s the 1980s equivalent of a smart watch. A lightweight titanium case with a modular design, allowing wearers to easily switch between an analogue clock, digital stopwatch, map meter, and compass - perfect for navigating the Nicaraguan jungle while orchestrating a coup on behalf of a foreign nation. By the way, this isn’t simply a nickname used by Seiko fans - Seiko themselves call it the Contra!
The Rarity. My understanding is people would pick and choose the relevant modules in-store, and just pay for the parts they wanted. As a result, it's become almost impossible to find a full set that contains all four modules in working order.
Specifications:
The Condition: In battle-worn condition. Perhaps literally? The two watch components have just been serviced. There are visible scratches on the crystals and cases. Would you even want this watch looking pristine?
All of our watches are inspected and verified for authenticity - both inside and out. We have over 15 years of sourcing and collecting rare watches in Japan, which is often considered to be one of the best markets for authentic and fully original vintage watches.
Do you ship globally?
We are based in Japan and regularly ship all over the world. We typically use FedEx and it takes:
3-7 business days to reach North America
3-7 business days to reach Europe
3-7 business days to reach Asia and Oceania.
All of our packages are securely shipped, fully insured, and trackable door-to-door.
What condition are your watches?
Due to the vintage and neo-vintage nature of the watches we typically sell, the condition varies from watch to watch. However, our photos are high resolution and our descriptions are accurate. You can buy with confidence knowing there won't be any nasty surprises.
If the condition of a watch is ever misrepresented, we would offer a full refund.
Are all of your watches serviced?
Most but not all of our watches are serviced. The "Condition" section of each watch will confirm if the watch has been serviced.
All of our watches are tested by an independent watchmaker - if a service is needed, the watch will be serviced. If a service hasn't been conducted, it's because the watch itself is too new to need a service, or there is evidence of a recent service.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept payment by all major Credit Cards and Wise.com
Do I have to pay customs or taxes?
It depends on so many factors, including but not limited to the cost of the watch, the type of watch you've bought (vintage or new), and the import laws of your country. If you're unsure we recommend checking the import laws that relate to your country before ordering.
Are your watches water resistant?
Our serviced watches are typically tested to their original water resistant specifications, but we would never recommend pushing vintage or neo-vintage watches to their depth limits.
What is your returns policy?
Due to the vintage and neo-vintage nature of most of our watches, we do not offer returns under normal circumstances. All sales should be considered final.
