The Occasion. This rare watch was commissioned by BEMAC, a Japanese electronics company, to celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2016. During the celebrations, BEMAC gifted these watches to select employees as a token of appreciation for their hard work. There are actually two BEMAC designs - the Retrograde and the Whirlpool - but neither watch was made available to the public, so official details are scarce.
The Rarity. Judging by how infrequently either has appeared for sale in Japan, I suspect the Retrograde BEMAC is the rarer of the two - perhaps reserved for senior company figures? That’s not to say either version is common. I’ve seen just four examples of the Whirlpool for sale, and only one of the Retrograde.
The Complication. To add weight to my theory, normal Seikos powered by the three-handed 6R15 movement are typically much more affordable than those powered by the six-handed 6R24 movement. So the SZSD001, fitted with the latter, was likely intended as the more prestigious gift.
The Design. There’s no whirlpool on this dial, but the colourway alone makes it special. Black with rose gold accents - one of Seiko’s least used and most elegant combinations. It definitely stands out from the crowd, and feels like something middle-upper management at a Japanese electronics company might wear.
Condition: In great condition. No marks of any significance. Original cow leather strap and BEMAC signed buckle.
Absolutely - our watches are regularly shipped all over the world. Shipping typically takes:
4-9 business days to reach North America
4-12 business days to reach Europe
4-12 business days to reach Asia and Oceania.
All of our packages are securely shipped, fully insured, and trackable door-to-door.
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, new, or modified), and the import and tax 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?
All of our watch mods are tested by our own pressure depth testing equipment, and are guaranteed to resistant water up to 50m of depth. Seiko Originals have varied levels of depth resistance, which will be stated in the description of each watch.
Can I modify an existing design?
We welcome all ideas! Get in touch via the Contact Us page and we can let you know the possibility and cost of any potential alterations.
What is your returns policy?
Due to the hand-made nature of the Seiko Mods, we offer a 7 day returns period after the watch has been received. The returner must bear the cost of the returns, and the watch must be returned in the same condition as it arrived. We do not offer returns on any bespoke or custom-made watches.
Due to the vintage nature of the Seiko Originals, returns are considered on a case-by-case basis, as vintage items typically have a no returns policy.
