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Seiko 21-3210 Gold Emperor "Kotobuki" (with box)

Seiko 21-3210 Gold Emperor "Kotobuki" (with box)

£820.00 GBP
£820.00 GBP
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Features:

Year Produced: November 1973

The Occasion. The "Wedding Anniversary" Seiko 21-3210 was made in 1973 to celebrate Emperor Hirohito's upcoming 50th Wedding Anniversary. The watch is often simply referred to as 寿 in Japan, which means "Kotobuki" or Congratulations or Long life. 

The Meaning. "Kotobuki" is also the word for a Yōkai, a type of mythical Japanese creature creature, that is depicted as being a combination of all of the animals from the Chinese zodiac. As a result, the dial is adorned with two physical manifestations of the Kotobuki as a way to offer congratulations and a long life to the Emperor. 

The Theme. The 21-3210 comes in two colour options - gold and white gold. Both are plated in 18kt gold (Gold and White Gold, respectively). Designed as an elegant dress watch to be worn during celebrations for the Emperor's wedding anniversary, this square shaped manual wind vintage piece has a lot going on. Pay particularly close attention to the raised etchings of the two Kotobuki on the dial.

Scope: This watch comes with the original box, original price tags, the original golden buckle (on a non-original leather strap, but the unusable original strap is also included) and the original spare dial. Yes, a replacement dial! The spare dial is a non-Kotobuki version of the dial, i.e. a “plain” dial. My understanding is that people were expected to use the Kotobuki dial during the 50th Anniversary year, and then switch to the plain dial for the “non-anniversary” years that followed. That seems like a hassle, and I’d love to know how many people actually did it! 

White Gold Emperor: The white gold variant, in equally great condition with the full kit, is also available. The Gold and White Gold Emperors can be purchased together with a discount, as we would prefer the pair to go to the same collector. Please use the code EMPEROR at checkout, if buying both the Yellow Gold and White Gold variants as a pair, to receive a discount.

Specifications:

Condition: In great condition. Very mild signs of aging present, but incredibly well preserved overall.

Scope: Original box, with the original spare linen dial

Movement: Manual Wind, 19800 bph, 47 Power Reserve, 23 Jewels

Dimensions:

  • Lug to Lug: 33.6mm
  • Case Width: 32.5mm
  • Case Thickness: 8.1mm
  • Strap Width: 16.0mm
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FAQs

Are your watches authentic?

Everything we sell is 100% authentic.

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.

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