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Specs
Model
Seiko Quartz
Reference
4803-8000
Year
1976
Movement
Quartz
Dial
Snowflake
Case size
37mm
Lug width
18mm
Wrist size
Fits most wrist sizes
Service
New battery (Sept 2026)
Accuracy
± 15 second per month
Condition
New old stock
Warranty
3 months
The watch Seiko produced plenty of bold and colourful quartz watches in the 1970s, but also more understated designs like this early Seiko Quartz 4803-8000. Its beautifully textured dial resembles what collectors today refer to as a ‘snowflake’ dial, making it an interesting early example of this type of dial.
The watch is in exceptionally well-preserved, new old stock condition, with only a few very minor marks from storage. The day display can be switched between Japanese Kanji and English, and the quickset functions as it should.
The original leather strap had deteriorated over time and has been replaced with a new genuine Seiko crocodile-embossed leather strap. The watch comes with its original price tag from 1976.
The quartz crisis The quartz crisis was a major turning point in the watch industry during the 1970s and 1980s, driven by the rise of quartz technology. Companies like Seiko led the way, offering watches that were more accurate, more affordable, and easier to maintain than traditional mechanical models.
With the launch of the first quartz wristwatch, the Astron, in 1969, Seiko showed the world what quartz could achieve. Swiss watchmakers, known for their mechanical craftsmanship, were slow to react and lost much of their market share. The crisis forced the Swiss industry to restructure and helped shape a future where traditional watchmaking and modern quartz innovation could exist side by side.
