A rare Seiko 7018-6000 Time Sonar

We start the month of August with another watch feature. The Seiko chronograph section of my collection includes this rather uncommon 7018-6000. The watch features a sub dial for the chronograph function and a Japanese day wheel. It is supposed to be a JDM or Japan Domestic Model, which means it was only released in the Japanese market.

The watch features a sub dial for the chronograph. It also has day and date complications. Days are in English or Kanji. Instead of having the dial number at the bottom, it is under the Time Sonar label at 9 o'clock. The watch head is also helmet shaped like the Tokei Zara.

Side view showing the crown and the chronograph buttons.

The other side view - the watch head is unpolished but is in generally good shape. There are only the usual minor scratches and dinks due to the age and use of the watch.

This watch has a transparent case back, which was uncommon for watches of its time. Inside is a Cal. 7018B that runs at 21,600 beats per hour with a potential power reserve of 43h. The watch doesn't seem to have a visible serial number but the movement was made in the 1970s so the model is from that decade. I read in one article that the date of manufacture should be indicated at the back of the dial. But since I have not had the watch maintained or overhauled, I have yet to see those numbers.

The watch came with another stainless steel bracelet but it didn't fit my wrist and there was no way of adjusting it so I changed it. The replacement is this Maruman bracelet that used to be with another watch. This is temporary as I am acquiring strap extensions for several stainless steel bracelets including the one that came with this watch.

Close up of the dial - notice the dial number is below the model name 'Time Sonar' at 9 o'clock instead of at the bottom like most Seiko watches.

Here's a wrist shot with this rare piece.

This is another keeper in my collection. I wasn't really aware about this watch until I saw one and fancied it. The original release even included a compass as shown in the ad I grabbed from the internet:

Note the statement that this watch was developed for young people and that it was made for upper grades of junior high and elementary school students!

This definitely a keeper and I don't know if there is a more pristine specimen out there (preferably something like the ones in the ad) that will be affordable (if eve).

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