Seiko Champion – Manual Winding – 17 Jewels – Gold-plated – circa 1960s This Seiko Champion is a mechanical wristwatch produced during Japan’s rapid economic growth of the 1960s, a period when Seiko was simultaneously developing its highest-grade lines such as Grand Seiko and King Seiko, while also supplying dependable, well-designed mechanical watches for professionals who wore a watch every day, not as a luxury symbol, but as a tool and a part of their identity. What makes the Champion appealing today is not nostalgia alone, but its clarity of purpose. This was a watch designed to be worn daily, to look refined without excess, and to age gracefully rather than follow short-lived trends. That philosophy is immediately visible in the dial design: applied baton indexes, sharply defined dauphine hands, and a restrained layout that remains elegant even by modern standards. The softly sunburst-finished dial reacts subtly to light, giving the watch depth and warmth that flat modern dials often lack. The case is slim and well proportioned, allowing the watch to sit naturally on the wrist. With a diameter of approximately 34.7 mm, it represents the classic mid-century dress watch size, offering comfort, balance, and versatility. This size is particularly appealing today for collectors who appreciate vintage proportions and understated presence. Inside is a manual-winding movement with 17 jewels, equipped with Seiko’s Diashock shock-protection system. Seventeen jewels was not an arbitrary number: it was a carefully chosen specification that balanced durability, mechanical efficiency, and long-term reliability. This movement reflects Seiko’s mature mechanical engineering before the quartz era, when robustness and serviceability were essential qualities rather than marketing terms. The case back is clearly engraved “Seiko Champion” and “Front 20 Microns Gold Plated”, indicating a thick gold-plated finish commonly reserved for higher-grade dress watches of the period. Combined with the clean dial and gold-toned details, this gives the watch a quiet formality that works equally well with a suit or smart casual attire. The watch is fitted with a leather strap, replaced with a modern leather strap for comfortable everyday wear. This Seiko Champion is an excellent choice for collectors who want more than a logo or a status symbol. It offers authentic 1960s Japanese watchmaking, honest mechanical construction, and a design that remains relevant decades later. It is a watch that rewards close inspection and long-term ownership rather than instant visual impact. Running at the time of listing. As a vintage watch, stable operation, accuracy, and water resistance are not guaranteed. The watch will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking for safe delivery.