Seiko 1964 Tokyo Olympics Crown Chronograph: Faithful Reproduction

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Seiko's History with the Olympics
3. The 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph
4. The 2020 Seiko Crown Chronograph Reproduction
5. Comparison with the Chronograph Version
6. Dimensions and Features of the Reproduction
7. Bracelet and Strap Options
8. Pricing and Availability
9. Pros and Cons
10. Conclusion

Seiko's 1964 Tokyo Olympics Crown Chronograph: A Faithful Reproduction

Seiko has a long history with the Olympics, having been nominated as the official timer for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. As part of their responsibilities, Seiko was in charge of making the official watch for the event, and they supplied over 1200 units of various types of stopwatches for the Olympic timers. To commemorate the event, Seiko also issued a commercial version of its wristwatch, which had a monopoly system. The 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph 458 and 959 were simple but beautiful one-push chronographs that featured a unique and extremely legible dial with a thin black bezel combination.

Fast forward to the year 2020, and Seiko has released a faithful reproduction of that iconic watch. The limited edition Seiko 55-year anniversary release of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics Crown Chronograph pays homage to a time where 1960s style combined with practicality meant something. In this article, we will take a closer look at this reproduction and see how faithful it is to the original.

Seiko's History with the Olympics

Seiko has a long-standing relationship with the Olympics, having been nominated as the official timer for several Olympic Games. In 1964, Seiko was chosen to host the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and they were responsible for making the official watch for the event. Seiko supplied over 1200 units of various types of stopwatches for the Olympic timers, and they also issued a commercial version of their wristwatch to commemorate the event.

The 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph

The 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph was a simple but beautiful one-push chronograph that featured a unique and extremely legible dial with a thin black bezel combination. The watch had a monopoly system, and it was available in two versions: the 458 and the 959. The 458 had a stainless steel case, while the 959 had a gold-plated case. Both versions had a diameter of 38.2mm and a thickness of 11.2mm.

The 2020 Seiko Crown Chronograph Reproduction

Seiko has released a faithful reproduction of the 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph to commemorate the 55-year anniversary of the Tokyo Olympics. The reproduction is available in two versions: the chronograph version (SRQ903-1J1) and the non-chronograph version (SPB127J). The non-chronograph version is limited to 1964 units worldwide, while the chronograph version is limited to 1000 units worldwide.

Comparison with the Chronograph Version

The chronograph version of the reproduction (SRQ903-1J1) is a faithful reproduction of the original 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph. However, it is a much bigger watch, with a case diameter of 42.3mm and a thickness of 15.3mm. The non-chronograph version (SPB127J) is more true to the original in terms of size, with a case diameter of 41.3mm and a thickness of 11.3mm.

Dimensions and Features of the Reproduction

The Seiko Crown Chronograph reproduction has a case diameter of 41.3mm and a thickness of 11.3mm. The case is slightly recessed backwards, and the bezel overhangs slightly, just like the original. The watch features a 6R35 movement with a 70-hour power reserve. It has a sapphire anti-reflective crystal with an anti-reflective coating underneath, and it is Water-resistant to 100m. The rotating black bezel has original Arabic numerals applied on it with five-minute graduations.

Bracelet and Strap Options

The Seiko Crown Chronograph reproduction comes with a stainless steel bracelet, but there are also strap options available. The watch has a lug width of 20mm, so it is compatible with a wide range of straps. The bracelet is stunning, with a slightly chamfered edge on the mechanism, but it only has two adjustments, which may be a letdown for some.

Pricing and Availability

The Seiko Crown Chronograph reproduction is limited to 1964 units worldwide and retails for $850. The chronograph version (SRQ903-1J1) is limited to 1000 units worldwide and retails for $3700. Both versions are highly sought after and may be difficult to find.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Faithful reproduction of the original 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph
• Beautiful and legible dial
• Thin and petite profile
• Comfortable to wear
• Affordable compared to the chronograph version

Cons:

• Limited availability
• Bracelet only has two adjustments
• Non-chronograph version may not appeal to everyone

Conclusion

The Seiko Crown Chronograph reproduction is a beautiful and faithful reproduction of the original 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph. It pays homage to a time where 1960s style combined with practicality meant something. The watch is thin and petite, with a beautiful and legible dial. It is comfortable to wear and affordable compared to the chronograph version. The limited availability may make it difficult to find, but for those who manage to get their hands on one, it is sure to be a treasured addition to their collection.