The Design. The morpho-like nature of the 17-340 will immediately catch your eye. Its dial shifts from vivid blue to turquoise, and it features what I can only describe as the most aggressive colour-tinted undercoating I’ve ever encountered on a crystal. The image above is not colour-enhanced - when the light catches it just right, the crystal burns with an intense orange hue.
The Crystal. Its crystal is faceted to resemble the top edge of a brilliant-cut diamond, and the case and bracelet are plated in white gold. The cross-hatched adorning the case and bracelet pattern is astonishingly irregular, showing it was done by hand rather than machine.
The History. Released 50 years ago, the only trace of this watch I can find online is in the 1975 Seiko Catalogue. The watch is simply described as having a “brilliant cut crystal” with “fancy undercoating”. A bit scant, but not inaccurate! Interestingly, it cost ¥35,000 at the time which made it more expensive than every 6138 Chronograph released that year!
Condition: In very good condition. The edges of the crystal are sharp, and the white gold plating show no signs of wear.
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.
