Seiko 7A38 - by the numbers

The (Suwa) 4800 series appears in the 1975 JDM catalogues at the same time as the 0900 (Suwa) and 0800 (Daini) series. Presumably something of a successor to the 3800 series, the 4800 series goes head to head with the 0800s at the beginning of the "King Quartz" branding. It also appears in Grand Quartz models and the super-duper 4883 Superior models.

Flavours are as follows:

Calibre               Accuracy                  Branding

4803                        15s/m                     QZ designation in catalogues but not marked on dial
4821, 4822, 4823            10s/m                     King Quartz (and non-JDM 3003 models)
4826                        10s/m                     Solar Quartz
4840, 4842, 4843             5s/m                     Grand Quartz
4883                         1s/m (!)                 Superior

Calibers ending in "0" or "1" are time only, "2" have date and "3" (and 4826) have day/date.

Worthy of note is the (seldom seen) 4826 as it was Seiko's first solar powered calibre - good luck with finding the rechargable battery unit.

Seen even less often is the 4883 Superior. This takes over from the 3883 in the 1976 catalogue - and is priced at 180000 Yen (in steel). It's worth searching for some pictures of the 3883/4883 Superior models to appreciate the quality-oozing dials. The later 9983 (Twin Quartz, Superior) has a similar look with the same applied minute indices.

My pair from the museum (wardrobe):

A brown-dialled 4823-8100 from 1977 (JDM, King Quartz)):

and a roman numeralled 4823-8110 from 1978 (JDM, King Quartz):

Just in!

The new leader of the pack is this very crisp 4883-8100. Straight from page 1 of the from 1977v2 JDM catalogue and priced at Y180,000, vintage quartz doesn't get much finer than this.

Detail:

That's "super-duper" !   I'm GREEN with envy   

That dial close up. WOW!

Haven't posted in a while.  But I though it would be nice to share a rare 48 series that I picked up - Seiko's first solar 4826-9000.  It's a JDM watch so it was not widely sold or distributed.

Not much info on it.  Here's a brief link on another forum regarding parts:

http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/55616-1977-seiko-solar-analogue-quartz/

 Unfortunately the rechargable battery (4018859) unit is long out of production.

Well here it is:

As you can see it's not in the best of shape.  I purchased it non-running but it was basically gunked up and my watchmaker was able to revive it with a cleaning.  Strap is not original.  Not sure if it was bracelet or strap based as pics of the original are hard to find.

Caseback:

Here's the movement.  The good thing is that it takes a 386 battery and runs just fine.  I was worried the recharging system might blow up the battery but someone told me that it takes a regular battery with no issues.  So at least I have it running:

Will try to post pics of my other finds but photobucket has become so unusable that it's was just a hassle to get the pics up.

Cheers,

Thanks Brian - and congrats!. I've seen very few of these on my (virtual) travels in any condition. The few pictures out there suggest that it would have had a bracelet, and Jules Borel lists the part: http://cgi.julesborel.com/cgi-bin/matcgi2?ref=SEK_CS^4826-9000

selfdater at November 23, 2016 at 3:58 PM

Thanks Brian - and congrats!. I've seen very few of these on my (virtual) travels in any condition. The few pictures out there suggest that it would have had a bracelet, and Jules Borel lists the part: http://cgi.julesborel.com/cgi-bin/matcgi2?ref=SEK_CS^4826-9000

This is my new 4883-8100 Superior.   From Yahoo Japan.  Perfect Saphire crystal. June 1977.    

Well done Don! Is that HGP?

Lindon, it is SGP.   Over base metal / resin     But no pits on this one  !   

Here is my other  Seiko 4883  Case # 8001  - SUPERIOR-   from December 1966 in stainless steel.     Movement removed from "top"           

Here is a Seiko King Quartz   (JDM)   4823-8130  -   from August 1977    

You've been busy, Don!

Yes, well you can't just buy one on Yahoo / Japan.      Except for the two 4883 Superior's all were had for less than on average $25.00 US.  And all not running.  I have some tricks and some parts watches.  I like to revive the dead ones.     

There is a Seiko 4843 in here somewhere    

A Seiko SUPERIOR  4883-8100 from Yahoo / Japan.  This one is snap back from January 1977.  Stainless with gold dial.    And again perfect Sapphire crystal .       

OK -This Grand Quartz 4843-8050 was "snipped" off Yahoo / Japan for $ 14.00    Sold as "junk" not working.   After a transplant from a "doner mvt." it is now working and keeping time. I was able to remove the dial and hands 4 times to sort out various issues.             

I recently found (and bought) a 4826-9009 on ebay for what I consider a good price. It's non-JDM but excluding the face text, I think it's identical to the JDM version. It's on the original bracelet and it's in pretty good nick so I'm pleased to have it. The serial dates it to March 1977.