Presented for auction by Second Vintage The Seiko Crown holds a highly respected position in the pantheon of Japanese horology, serving as the direct mechanical and aesthetic foundation for the legendary Grand Seiko line. Introduced in the late 1950s, the Crown was designed to be a premium, high-precision dress watch, showcasing Seiko's rapidly advancing manufacturing capabilities. This particular reference 14036 exemplifies the refined mid-century elegance of the era, pairing a brilliantly executed silver sunburst dial with sharp, gold-tone accents. It is a quintessential vintage dress watch that offers collectors an accessible piece of pivotal watchmaking history, beautifully preserved and ready to be enjoyed. Brand: Seiko Model: Crown Reference Number: 14036 Serial Number: 0911295 Movement: Manual wind, Caliber 560, 21 jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with applied gold-tone faceted indices, exceptionally clean and well-preserved Case Size: 33 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Date: September 1960 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and a remarkably preserved dial Dial and Hands The silver sunburst dial is a masterclass in mid-century restraint and elegance, reflecting light beautifully across its subtle radial texture. It features applied gold-tone faceted indices that catch the light from every angle, anchored by a prominent double-faceted marker at the twelve o'clock position. The elegant cursive typography of the "Seiko Crown" logo is printed crisply below twelve, balanced by the "Diashock 21 Jewels" script above six o'clock. A set of sharp, gold-tone dauphine hands and a slender sweeping center seconds hand sweep across the dial. The condition of the dial is exceptional for its age, appearing remarkably clean and free from moisture damage, staining, or heavy spotting. Under close inspection, it presents an incredibly fresh appearance, standing as a testament to careful preservation over the decades. Case and Crystal The 33 millimeter stainless steel case features a classic dress profile with a thin, polished bezel that maximizes the visual presence of the dial. The straight lugs taper elegantly toward the strap, maintaining their structural integrity and original lines. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal that provides excellent clarity and warmth, showing only the faintest superficial handling marks consistent with vintage acrylic. The snap-on caseback is particularly striking, featuring a distinctive overlapping circular machine-turned pattern that remains crisp and visible. The factory engravings, including the reference number 14036 and the serial number 0911295, are deeply stamped and easily legible. The case exhibits honest signs of wear, including moderate surface scratches and minor scuffs on the flanks and caseback, characteristic of a timepiece that has been worn and enjoyed naturally without heavy modern polishing. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seikosha Caliber 560, a highly regarded 21-jewel manual-wind movement that formed the architectural basis for Seiko's finest mid-century calibers. The movement plates present cleanly, showcasing visible ruby jewels and crisp factory engravings, with only minor age-related tarnish visible near the outer edges of the baseplate. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. -45 to -49 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a handsome brown leather strap featuring an embossed alligator grain pattern and contrasting edge stitching. It is secured with a classic stainless steel pin buckle. The strap remains in excellent, lightly handled condition and complements the warm gold tones of the dial furniture perfectly. Condition This Seiko Crown is presented in good vintage condition. The true highlight of this piece is the stunning preservation of its dial and hands, which remain incredibly sharp and vibrant. The stainless steel case shows expected, age-consistent surface wear and handling marks throughout, presenting an honest and attractive vintage character. Dimensions The case measures 33 mm in diameter, excluding the crown. Remarks For the astute collector of Japanese horology, the Seiko Crown is an essential acquisition. This example, with its striking gold-on-silver configuration and beautifully preserved dial, offers immense vintage charm and historical weight. It is a sophisticated dress watch that wears with undeniable grace, representing a golden era of Seiko's mechanical innovation. History Launched in 1959, the Seiko Crown was developed by the Suwa Seikosha factory to serve as the brand's premier manual-wind luxury timepiece. It was engineered with a larger mainspring barrel and balance wheel than its predecessors, allowing for significantly improved accuracy and stability. The Crown was such a resounding success in terms of precision and design that its fundamental architecture was chosen to house the very first Grand Seiko in 1960. Today, the Seiko Crown is celebrated not only for its own intrinsic beauty and reliability but also for its critical role in establishing Seiko's reputation as a world-class manufacturer of high-precision mechanical watches. Payment and Shipping Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase. Your watch will be professionally and very securely packaged, and shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind. We ship via fast express service, with typical delivery in 1–4 business days (destination dependent). Note that with vintage watches, minor signs of wear, aging, or imperfections may be present and are considered normal for watches of this age. Please review all photos carefully before bidding. We strive to photograph each watch from multiple angles for the most accurate representation. The photos form an important part of the description. If there are any concerns of functionality or defects after delivery, make sure to contact us within 3 days of receiving the watch so we can assist you. As with all vintage watches, water resistance is not guaranteed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SCD-0002