Birthday Watch December 1968! Seiko 5 5126-7030 Oversized UFO 23J Automatic Watch (OH)

A BIRTHDAY WATCH IS A WATCH THAT WAS PRODUCED THE SAME MONTH AND YEAR AS SOMEONE'S BIRTHDAY.

Make: Seiko
Type: Automatic
Model: UFO
Year of Production: December 1968
Movement: 5126
BPH: 19,800
Number of Jewels: 23
Hand and Dial: 3D Baton Indices and Hands
Width: 40mm
Lug to Lug Height: 41mm
Thickness: 11mm
Lug Width: 18mm
Bracelet: Original Seiko 5 SS Signed Bracelet
Pouch / Box: Brand-New EVA Type Zipper Pouch

According to most legitimate online information available, the Seiko 5126 movement made its debut in 1967 that lasted until circa 1971.

For Seiko Collectors and Vintage fans, this December 1968 is one of the earliest Seiko 5 5126-7030 UFO DAINI produced, and it comes with AD status; thereby making it a Collectible.

This handsome Seiko UFO has a beautiful reflective Silver Sunburst Dial that creates a silvery-gold two-tone effect from certain angles which is extremely pleasing to the eye. The entire dial, indices, hands and date / day window were patiently cleaned to reveal a spectacular dial and relevant parts in pristine condition.

The unique UFO cylindrical shaped silver case was cleaned via ultrasonic immersion and polished afterwards. The results - a highly polished case in mint condition.

The crown is located at the traditional 4H position and neatly tucked away to prevent damage or snags yet easily accessible. The date quickset works flawlessly by pushing the crown in to adjust the date. The time is adjusted by pulling the crown out and adjusting accordingly. The day quickset is via turning the hands backwards and forwards past midnight.

The movement was carefully stripped and every part meticulously cleaned via ultrasonic immersion, oiled, re-assembled and calibrated on 4 September 2023; hence it underwent an overhaul and not a general servicing. It should be able to operate without servicing for the next 5 to 10 years at the very least thereby providing the owner peace of mind.

Equipped with the highly revered 5126 movement, it has an impressive 23 Jewels that operate at 19,800 beats per hour (BPH) giving it excellent longevity and accuracy. The time-grapher, after 60 hours of calibration, shows excellent readings i.e. rate of +2 seconds every 24 hours and amplitude of 233 with a relatively straight and centered line! Such readings are truly exceptional even by brand new modern automatic watch standards whereby the accepted tolerance is -20 to +40 seconds a day! This is a testament to the quality, excellent power reserve and longevity for such a vintage timepiece, the meticulous care provided over the years, and of course the painstaking calibration conducted.

The case width and height are approximately 40mm (without crown) and 41mm respectively. The lug width is 18mm, and the bracelet can accommodate wrist up to 21cm, hence this watch is suitable for men and the modern women.

The Seiko Signed SS bracelet is originally from this timepiece. It too was cleaned via ultrasonic immersion and given a good rub and is now in near mint condition.

To the best of our knowledge and expertise when overhauling the timepiece, the watch is 100% original Seiko components from this particular watch. No parts were replaced with aftermarket parts or modified thereby it is considered in near MINT condition.

Due to its age, this timepiece has not been water-resistant tested.

The pictures provided show the watch’s case in pristine condition (no dents and major scratches). It has also been demagnetised to improve parts reliability, minimise wear & tear, and improve accuracy. The only drawback is the lack of documentation and original box. A nice purposeful carrying case or box will be provided instead.

Seldom can one find a vintage watch that offers this and more. Yes, there are many other same / similar models in the market, BUT none are as well-kept and maintained as what you see here, and with an attractive price to boot. So, it is a no-brainer that this one-of-a-kind watch will make an extremely beautiful birthday present for that special someone born in December 1968! Another no-brainer is the fact that the value of this watch will appreciate over time.

Bear in mind that this watch has seen many of the previous owners’ ups and downs in life, and should be cherished and well taken care of for the next generation to savour such engineering beauty.

Do also bear in mind that it will cost between S$ 180.00 to S$ 200.00 for an overhaul, an estimated S$ 80.00 to calibrate (depending on watch condition), and S$ 100.00 to polish including tightening of bracelet links - these costs do not apply when purchasing this timepiece. So, if anyone was to sell such a timepiece at a low price yet claim that it has been serviced, one has to ask what kind of servicing was conducted, if any.

This is a beautiful Seiko 5 5126-7030 champagne gold dial with original bracelet in near mint condition; so, be unique and wear something that is almost impossible to source.

This is a must-have for the Seiko die-hard fan, or any vintage watch fan for that matter!