The Provenance. The 1970 World’s Fair, or Expo '70, took place in Osaka, Japan. Much like the 1964 Olympics, which Japan also hosted, Seiko saw it as an opportunity to showcase its timekeeping prowess to the world. And while Japan was trying to unite the world’s warring nations under the Fair’s theme - Progress and Harmony for Mankind - Seiko was busy building the aggressively 1970s-looking Atomic Clock you see in the picture above. Accurate to +1 second every 1,000 years, it was designed to make people take Japanese watchmaking seriously.
The Gift. With 64,000,000 attendees - a record that stood until the 2010 Shanghai World’s Fair - we can be confident that lots of people at least saw Seiko’s horological monstrosity. Whether it changed perceptions of Japanese watchmaking is hard to quantify, but Seiko was clearly pleased with the event’s success. To commemorate it, they gifted Expo ‘70 branded 6119-8090 watches to workers at the Fair.
The Design. Because the 6119-8090 was never sold by Seiko, it’s not only a great piece of both Seiko’s and Japan’s history, but also a striking watch even by today’s standards. The dial features a beautifully brushed metallic sunburst effect, with 12 polished and applied indices. The sharply cut case flirts with Seiko’s Grammar of Design principles.
Specifications:
The Condition: In great condition overall. The movement was just serviced. The dial has some stains around its edge, but is otherwise in great condition. The crystal is unmarked. The case looks sharp but shows age-appropriate signs of wear. On an aftermarket leather Seiko strap.
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.
