During the 1970’s and 80’s, Seiko sales representatives would present new product to retailers by way of non-working samples. They would include the case, dial, hands, and crystal. Seiko understood the importance of a retailer being able to make the best judgement possible when choosing upcoming products for their showcases and clients. Over the years, I’ve acquired several of these samples from which to glean parts, but every once in a while, I’ll get the uncontrollable urge to build one out to a finished and complete working watch. This 6309 sample from March of ‘76 is just such an example. With the demand for gold references seemingly on the rise, it offered the perfect opportunity to offer a clean and interesting piece. The case is a brightly polished yellow tonneau with a low profile bezel and a knock out dial. The dial is a color shifting gold to bronze with a matte finish, and vertical “tapestry” pattern. It’s topped with applied yellow markers with white striping and subtle luminous plots, and a framed day/date window at three. The hands are lengthy yellow batons striped in white to match the hour markers, and a slender polished sweep counts the seconds. All components are genuine Seiko, and the only detail that denotes it began its life as a salesmen’s sample is the “sample” engraving on the case back. If you’re looking for an affordable and stylish entry point into vintage Seiko, this warm, golden casual is as clean as it gets, and comes attached to the original two-tone bracelet for a seamless fit and finish.

Original Seiko Two-Tone Three-Link Bracelet

Serviced- 2/25

Diameter- 37.5mm

Lugs- 19mm