Vintage 1965’yrs Seiko Sportsmatic Calendar 7625-8961– Classic 1960s 17 Jewels Automatic SGP Gold Case/Band Excellent Condition The SEIKO Sportsmatic Calendar 7625-8961 is an antique watch with automatic winding and date functions. Released in the mid-1960s, the Seiko Sportsmatic Calendar line represents a pivotal period in Seiko’s evolution as a world-class watchmaker. Positioned between the earlier Seikomatic and the later iconic Seiko 5 series, the Sportsmatic Calendar was designed as a reliable everyday automatic with a practical date function—ideal for the rapidly modernizing lifestyle of post-war Japan. This reference 7625-8961 embodies the understated elegance of 1960s Japanese design: a clean silver sunburst dial, refined dauphine hands, and applied hour markers that reflect light beautifully in all conditions. The modest 36–37mm case size keeps it wearable on both vintage and modern wrists. Collectors also love this reference for the distinctive “Dolphin” emblem found on some casebacks—a hallmark of Seiko’s early approach to water resistance and a sought-after detail for vintage aficionados. Movement & Caliber Specs:Inside ticks the Seiko Caliber 7625A, a dependable automatic movement with the following key features: Type: Automatic (self-winding) mechanical movement Jewels:17jewels for smooth performance and reduced wear Frequency: Standard 18,000 vph (typical for Seiko mid-century automatics) Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date complication at 3 o’clock Winding System: Seiko’s reliable automatic winding system (“Magic Lever” style) This movement is known for its robust reliability and ease of maintenance, making it a great candidate for daily wear or as part of a vintage rotation. The Sportsmatic series was developed by Seiko with the aim of popularizing automatic watches. Technological innovations include the adoption of Seiko's proprietary "Magic Lever" automatic winding mechanism, which reduced the number of parts, improving reliability and mass production. The integrated receiver plate increased assembly efficiency and allowed for lower prices. It was a huge hit in the market immediately after its release in 1963, and exports expanded dramatically from 1965 onward. Its distinctive features, such as the Magic Lever automatic winding, and quick-set date, contributed to the spread of Japanese-made watches at the time. For this reason, it continues to attract many vintage collectors today. ■ Brand: Seiko Sportsmatic Calendar 7625-8961 ■ Model Number:7625-8961 ■ Product Number:4882276 Manufactured March 1965: Seiko serial numbers are six digits long, with the first two digits indicating the year and month of manufacture. The first number （4） indicates the fourth year of the 1960s, meaning the watch was manufactured in 1964. The next letter （8） is the month code. For Seiko, 1-9 represents January through September, O = October, N = November, and D = December. → "N" is November. Therefore, this watch was manufactured in August 1964. ■ Technical features of the 7625movement: • Details of Movement: Seiko caliber 7625 is an automatic watch movement. Production started around 1963. • Sub-brands:Sportsmatic, Sea Horse • Day / date:Date only • Rate:18,000 bph • Number of jewels:17 • Size / diameter:27.6mm X Height:5.7mm • Development division:Daini (Kameido, Tokyo, Japan) • Related movements:7619 • Notes: Caliber 7625 is a representative movement that supported the spread of Seiko automatic watches in the 1960s, and feature stable accuracy with 17 jewels and 18,000 vph, efficient winding with a Magic Lever, and Seiko's first quick-set date mechanism. It can still be serviced today, and is an important collectible element for Seiko 5 and Sportsmatic watches in the antique market. • Development divisions (Nagano Prefecture, Japan) ■Materials: • Case: Stainless Steel • Case Size:37mm excluding crown X 43mm including case lug Thickness: 12mm • Dial Display: SGP Gold case and matte to sunburst finish, stylish thick gold color bar indexes and 3 hands display, analog Calendar day and date • Case Back: SGP Gold color S Steel • Total Weight:72.7gms • Crystal: Domed Acrylic • Waterproof: resistant for everyday life water dishing/showering but don't expect too much from it: Even if it was labeled "Waterproof" at the time, it doesn't meet modern waterproof standards. Avoid using it around water. • Diashock: Seiko's unique shock-resistant device that protects the balance wheel from shocks, dramatically improving the accuracy and durability of watches. It is one of Seiko's core technologies, first introduced in Marvel in 1956 and still used in current models such as Presage. • Band: St Steel SGP Gold Color Band with adjustable 18.0cm relaxed length wrist circumference and 27cm maximum stretched measured by tape ■Guide to set date/time: Pull the notch out to rotate clockwise over 12 hour bar index then turn counterclockwise over 9 o’clock position then rotate the crown clockwise again over 12 o’clock position to have the date changed forward ahead. Repeating this back and fourth process between 9:00 to 12:00 help you to change date faster than rotating 24 hours turn for each day change ■Condition: There are scratches on the case, case back, band and the Crystal Domed Acrylic has lots of fine scratches visible to the naked eyes due to long-term use. Lots of fine scars/scratches are in fact proof of real true antique vintage, as they cannot be avoided occurring after long term usage of more than half century. During December 3rd to 9th the watch has been tested with 3-400 round Magic Lever automatic winding rotation by arm swing movement; the time accuracy is less than 30seconds in 24 hours. Power reserve average is over 45 hours. So the watch is in good condition overall, but very careful handling, when set the time/date, is required due real vintage watch. The watch works properly but needs to be wound at your convenience daily by natural arm movement to keep more accurate time. It was functioning normally at the time of listing, so it should continue to function without any issues. Please be sure you are satisfied with the condition before bidding, so please check the photos and product description and ask any questions you may have (please note, however, that we may not be able to answer questions close to the end of the auction)