Seiko \"Advan\" Nov. 1972, Green & Gold, Cut Glass Crystal, Japan-Made (6106-7570) For Sale

For sale is this vintage Seiko \"Advan\" (6106-7570), made in Japan in November of 1972.
The \"Advan\" line by Seiko was part of the mod-style trend that was very prevalent for a short few years in the 1970s, comprising of colourful dials and jewel-like cut-glass crystals. Seiko took it further with very unusual and interesting case shapes too. The top of the range regarding mod-style watches was the King Seiko sub-brand \"Vanac\" line, which Seiko have recently brought back. These featured high-end King Seiko movements. The \"Advan\" series were a step below the \"Vanac\" series, keeping the looks but with a more modest work-horse movement. They were made exclusively for the Japanese domestic market (JDM). Both were introduced in 1972 but were phased out by 1975/76, making them quite rare, being produced for such a short period of time.
This model, reference number (61AD)597 (or 6106-7570), has an amazing aqua-green sunburst dial that appears lighter towards the middle and darker towards the edge. The minute track and indices are on a gold, angled rehaut sitting on the dial, contrasting nicely with the green of the dial. Lume plots sit at the end of the indices that extend inwards although they don\'t glow as brightly as they once did. The gold hands have a black centre and fit the part. I particularly like the \"Advan\" font and orange sun logo that also works very well with the green and gold palette. The Seiko logo is precision-milled and applied in a gold-tone metal. On the dial, under the day/date window is the Suwa swirl symbol, also on the case back that indicates that the watch was designed and manufactured by the Suwa factory (Grand Seiko) during their fierce rivalry with the Daini factory (King Seiko).
The case is equally quirky with a multi-faceted cut-glass crystal that gives the dial a jewel/gem-like appearance, especially from extreme angles. The case appears olive-shaped from the front view but the side view reveals a whole plethora of flat and, very unusually, concave surfaces, adding further to the gem-like look. I\'ve never seen a watch design like it, 55 years later! The bezel appears to cut into the case from the side view. The crown has a concave end to aid with the feature mentioned later.
It houses the Seiko calibre 6106 movement which is considered a very reliable work-horse movement, used in the original version of the recently released Seiko 5 Reissue SRPK17 (the original being 6106-8120) and the original predecessor (6106-8100) to the Gene Kranz Reissue SRPL91/93 (the original successor being 6119-8460). I was told that it had been serviced within the past 5 years and is running at around +/-10 seconds per day when fully wound. It has hacking but no hand-winding. It can display either English or Japanese Kanji days of the week. This movement also has a very cool way to change the day/date. You push in the crown to change the date (each push), and push a little harder to change the days of the week. Just make sure NOT to change the day/date between 9pm-4am.
Comes on the original Seiko bracelet with a signed clasp (both Seiko and Advan logos). The bracelet is an H-link style with two bands in the middle. It can accommodate up to roughly an 18.5cm (7.25 inch) wrist.
The condition is good for a watch that was made almost 55 years ago. The case has minor general wear, the crystal is in excellent condition, the dial is decent with some marks/scratches. The watch runs great and all the functions work as they should. Due to the recent King Seiko Vanac release, vintage Vanac and Advan models have been put back in the spotlight and becoming more in demand and are becoming rarer to find.
Dimensions are:
38.9mm x 40.4mm x 13.3mm
(Approx.)
Bought in Japan.
*Returns accepted but all return postage costs are the buyer\'s responsibility in all circumstances and any re-import fees that I have to pay when receiving the watch will be deducted from the refund amount.