The Build. The Crown collection debuted in 1959 as a follow-up to the 1956 Marvel - Seiko’s first fully in-house watch. As I’ve discussed before, the larger movements allowed for larger dials - and with all that new white space, Seiko’s designers started getting funky with dial textures and patterns. A design philosophy often upheld by the company today. So what do you think happened when the Crown collection got even bigger? The dials got even funkier.
The Design. Much like the Marvel before it, the early Crown models were relatively restrained. It took a few years for the designers to feel emboldened, and the J14043 on offer today is a perfect example - a 1960 variant with what can only be described as a hypnotic dial pattern.
The Dial. It’s not obvious from the photos, but the dial is delightfully playful in the light. The dark stripes have a metallic finish that allows them to either melt into or stand out against the lighter stripes, depending on your viewing angle.
The Case. Despite its unusual face, the watch remains unmistakably dressy. The case is plated with 20 microns of 18k gold which makes it roughly two to four times thicker than modern gold plating. But that isn’t just a value flex - the additional gold means that even as the watch approaches its 70th birthday, there’s no sign of the base metal beginning to show through.
Specifications:
Condition: In very good condition overall. Just serviced. Light marks are visible across the watch, but nothing unpleasant for such an old watch.
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.
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
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.
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.
