Vintage Seiko 6217-7000 World Timer, their first GMT watches released for the Olympics

The 6217-7000 is Seiko's first GMT watch and the first units with the white dial were released in 1964, in time for the Tokyo Olympics that year.

The watch has 4 hands (hour, minute, second and GMT), an inner bezel showing cities around the world, and a date display.

Side view showing the big crown

 

The back shows the correct model number, and the serial number indicates this watch to be 'manufactured' in August 1967. There is a story, however, that suggests that the date of manufacture may have been different from date of market release. It is said that Seiko produced too many of the watches for the 1964 Olympics that they re-issued the watch in time for the 1968 Mexico Olympics. That assumes and means they didn't etch the serial numbers on the watches despite these being made years earlier. The first batch are more favored by collectors and those in good condition sell for upwards of 1,500 USD. I saw a near mint piece being sold for 2,200 USD. That included the original watch and bracelet, box and manual.

The other side view

Another view of the dial

Close up of the dial showing the general condition as well as the model number

Inside the watch is a Cal. 6217 that runs at 18,000 A/h. This is the same movement inside Seiko's famed 62MAS diver.

 

The inside of the back reveals the model number and the maker - Seiko's Daini factory

A wrist shot after I got back the watch from a routine maintenance check

The watch after my watch guy found me a suitable replacement bracelet - looks great!

The Philippines finally won an Olympic gold medal through the efforts of Hidilyn Diaz in weightlifting. I will write about this in another article. The Tokyo Olympics was supposed to be last year but due to the pandemic it was postponed and currently being held after a long delay and more prospects of cancellation. Will the country win another medal this year? Let's hope so and maybe another gold will make this an even more memorable year for Philippine athletes.

A more recent wrist shot

Well, this is definitely a keeper and for many strong reasons including it being Seiko's first GMT watch and one commemorating the Olympics.

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