Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

Before the 7A's there was Seiko's 1964 Crystal Chronometer.  ----   Then in 1969, it was the  Suwa   3500 Quartz Astron-------(100 watches produced)-----In 1970 Suwa came out with the 35SQW.     The SQW bumped the Hz to 16,384 from 8,192 in the Astron.   ---  (1,800  SQW watches were produced).   Also in 1970 Daini factory working on their Quartz came up with the 3600 series with first CMOS.---- (1,000 watches of cal 3600 produced).      --THEN-- in 1971 Suwa Factory,   perfecting the 3500 came out with the 3800 series.( According to my research this was the start of Seiko's first mass produced QUARTZ watches.,---some say the 3800 series had the first CMOS ! ---- I have a 3823 VFA from December 1971 ( rated at 5 second / month ) in gold clad. It took a year searching on Ebay to find it.    The watch is an early un-signed 3823 VFA with original Saphire crystal with a purple tint      

I have another 3823 VFA in Stainless with the same December 1971 production date......        

Thanks Don - that's a really nice (and lesser seen) 3823. Having recently got into early Seiko quartz, I only have a handful of examples,including just one 3800 series: a 3863-7049 from 1974 (snowflake dial "3003"). I'll go for a picture when there's some light...

I'm always on the lookout for good examples of early/unusual/interesting models including 3823s so I fully intend to post here when appropriate.

Thanks to Paul for the new forum section!

Got a 3883 there Don?

Lindon, I wish     The guy I bought the stainless 3823 had sold a 3883 several month before I bought his 3823   

Well - I guess we'll both keep looking.  I passed on a non-working (and not great condition) 3883 a couple of months ago - I never had the confidence that I'd be able to get it up and running...

Here's my one and only - a snowflake dial 3863-7049 from 1974. The dial is marked "3003" which makes it a non-JDM model; a JDM 3863 was likely to be labelled "QR"

For reference, the 3800 series came in several grades:

Normal 3-handers from bottom to top:

Calibre   Labelling               Accuracy
386x QR(Japan), 3003(non-JDM)     20 sec/month
380x      QT(Japan), 2002(non-JDM)     15 sec/month
382x      VFA                         5 sec/month
3883     Superior(Japan), GFA(non-JDM) 2 sec/month (!)

This table gives a complete breakdown and is useful reference for most of the 70s quartz:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1577212&d=1406514505

I just received a 3803-7031 from 1974 in great condition. It seems to have been very lightly worn in its 42 years and it came with the original (deteriorated) strap, buckle and box. I've never really been a man for gold watches - but this could convert me.

In the 1974 catalogue, this was the fanciest 3803 you could buy and would have cost a salaryman a tidy ¥92,000.

Nice one, is it " gold cap"  ?  I have a 3823  VFA frosted dial & gold cap I'll soon post  

Yes Don - it's Gold Cap

SEIKO 3823-7040-- Gold Cap--July 1974-- V.F.A.         

Another in Suwa's 38 series-- A 3803-7030   From Feburary 1973.   Non original band--Keeping time----It has gained ONE second in TWO months and that is off and on the wrist                          

Very nice Don - you know where I am when you've had enough of them :~0

This is my newest Seiko 3803-7020 from July 1972.   From Yahoo Japan      It is a JDM  model with it's original faceted crystal.   Notice the end of the second hand......I believe it is a representation of the tuning fork quartz crystal         The dial has gold outer markers and gold hands.....

Nicely retro, Don - these early 3803s have a pizzazz of their own. I think they can still be found at good value too.

Lindon, I am an old Railroad watch collector from way back-- and had to have this one.   Ebay      It is another (+/-) 15 seconds---    3803-7070 from May 1973.    Railroad "style" dial in silver.... Simple, only raised Seiko and printed "quartz" with day wheel in English and Spanish, so not JDM  --- Original band & Lume still works !               

Here is a nice QR 3863-7001   JDM   From Sept. 1973--- This one is rated at 20   sec / month.....Notice the second hand.  Factory painted black plus a wider tip      Easy to see, I really like this one             

Just landed is a VFA from 1974, reference is 3823-7001. The bracelet is original but short, with a generic clasp fitted. If anyone has one lying around...

I'm also looking for some more clarity on case references - this one (7001) has a Kanji/English day wheel and matches (including bracelet) the JDM catalogues from 1974-1976. Unfortunately, I have not seen catalogues prior to 1974 but I have a suspicion (based on pictures on the internet) that the bracelet on the 7000 case is substantially different. It's possible that the 7000 is the earlier model. Or maybe not - I know that the last digit can be a regional indicator - and a '1' could be (non-Japan) Asian markets. Any knowledge gratefully received...

Anyway, a photo!

Just wanted to throw in my silver version of the Seiko VFA 3823-7040: