The Best of Vintage Seiko Quartz

Seiko V.F.A. Quartz 3823-7040

The Seiko V.F.A. or ‘Very Fine Adjusted’ Quartz 3823-7040 is a vintage Seiko quartz watch that in my opinion makes for a great weekend piece. The Seiko ‘V.F.A.’ moniker was assigned to two different calibers in the early 1970s, the Seiko Cal. 3923/3922 and Cal. 3823, that each had an accuracy of +/- 5 seconds per month. These Seiko V.F.A. quartz calibers were used in several different models, watches that usually had eccentric case shapes and even came in 18k gold. For example, the Cal. 3923 was used in rectangular cases that included an LED light at 2 o’clock, while the Cal. 3823 was paired with more diverse case shapes. However, the Seiko V.F.A. Quartz 3823-7040 model, in particular, had a more conservative, hexagonal case shape that was still very 1970s in style but looked better on the wrist than the other models’ designs. This and the ‘silver snow’ dial make for a sharp combination. I also very much appreciate the cursive style “V.F.A.” text, unique to these V.F.A. quartz watches. Moreover, the Cal. 3823, made by Suwa Seikosha, and the calibers 3923 and 3922, made by Daini, both cost well over 100,000 yen at the time and more than even the Grand Seiko 61GS V.F.A.! This movement, and this 3823-7040 model, was at one point the most accurate watch in the Seiko lineup.

Seiko Grand Twin Quartz 9943-8030

This is one of my all-time favourite watches and in my opinion an excellent beater watch – as far as that term extends to vintage watches at least. Perfect for the office or a casual dress watch. The Grand Twin Quartz movement was first released in 1978 and made until the early 1980s. These calibers had an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per year and, with a new battery, do great in terms of wear and tear over time. While it isn’t exactly a Grand Seiko, it cost about double the price of the average Grand Seiko at the time, at 90,000 yen. Reliable, sleek, and fashionable, with a unique history – one of my favourites. Plus, it also has the ‘silver snow’ dial that the V.F.A. Quartz has; definitely my favourite dial vintage Seiko design.

Seiko ‘Speedmaster’ Quartz Chronograph 7A28-7040

1983 Seiko quartz chronograph ad / Credit: Fifth Wrist

Now, the Seiko ‘Speedmaster’ Quartz Chronograph 7A28-7040 is certainly different from the other two. It was first released in the early 1980s and has been produced in several iterations since, including updated calibers like the Seiko Cal. 7A38 and Seiko Cal. 7A48. While the Seiko 7A28 analog quartz chronograph movement is known for powering the world's first analog quartz chronograph, what I love it for is for its design. The sleek black on steel look with the ‘Pacman’ bracelet is a perfect combination and highly emblematic of 1980s watch design in my opinion. Not to mention 1980s video games like Pacman. If I had a weekend car, a vintage car, this would likely be the watch I would pick as my weekend watch to match it. Even though it doesn’t necessarily evoke speed like the ‘V.F.A.’ (or even ‘Superior’) name does, the ‘Speedmaster’ look and accurate 7A28 chronograph movement make it the perfect driving watch.

Bonus: Seiko Superior Twin Quartz 9983-8000

Seiko Superior Twin Quartz 9983-8000 / Credit: Vintage Seiko NL

A bonus for today’s list is the Seiko Superior Twin Quartz 9983-8000, while it doesn’t have the cachet of being a ‘V.F.A.’ or a ‘Grand Seiko’ like the V.F.A. Quartz 3823-7040 or the Grand Twin Quartz 9943-8030, respectively, the Seiko Superior Twin Quartz is really a cut above. The case and bracelet are fantastic and the accuracy is unheard of for the time, at +/- 5 seconds per year! The Superior Twin Quartz was also released in 1978 along with the Grand Twin Quartz. In my opinion, this is the best weekend watch of the bunch – a standout piece with a sleek bracelet and the ‘Superior’ name and ‘Twin’ emblem evoking the idea of speed. Even more so that the 7A28-7040. Perfect for whatever weekend car one might choose to match it. And while I do like that the 7A28 is a chronograph, much like the Rolex Daytona of Daytona Speedway fame, I feel like the Superior Twin Quartz and its unique characteristics, including being somewhat under the radar, make it especially suited to being a weekend watch.

By: Andres Ibarguen