1962s Very Rare Vintage Seiko CHAMPION 15026E SGP Gold Case EGP20 Microns Sunburnt Record Face Manual Winding Mechanical Watch Classic Japanese Craftsmanship Elegant & Collectible, working condition：KM167 Seiko Champion15026E belongs to the “Champion 850 family,” and it is likely an early transitional model without the “850” marking. Vintage Seiko CHAMPION 15026E is a classic Japanese craftsmanship, elegant and collectible manual wind mechanical watch. This model is an authentic 1959 Seiko Champion 850, a rare and beautifully preserved piece of Seiko history. This classic manual-winding wristwatch features a refined SGP gold-plated case, elegant dial, and original period aesthetic that embodies mid-century Japanese watchmaking at its finest. The Seiko Champion was part of Japan’s early post-war effort to build serious wristwatch movements that could stand alongside Swiss counterparts. The 850 movement is a manual-winding mechanical caliber known for Durable engineering typical of early Seiko calibers/Straightforward serviceability/A smooth, reassuring winding feel and stable timekeeping for its era. This is not just a timepiece: it’s a piece of Seiko’s evolution, bridging the gap between boutique dress watches and the company’s later sports and automatic innovations. Condition: • Working condition — reliably ticks and winds smoothly • Clean dial with original markers and hands • Gold plated case shows honest vintage wear with fine patina • Preserved crystal with minimal marks for its age This example is powered by Seiko’s Caliber 850; a manually wound mechanical movement produced in the early 1960s that captures a key transitional era before automatics dominated Seiko’s line. The movement is a great example of Seiko’s maturing in-house design and engineering. Historical Context & Comparisons between Seiko Champion vs. Seiko Cronos vs. Sportsmatic and Sportsman series. The Cronos was one of Seiko’s earliest in-house series in the mid-1950s, setting the tone for quality. The Champion followed as refinement, offering upgraded movements and a more dress-oriented aesthetic. The Sportsmatic and Sportsman series, introduced in the late 1950s and early 1960s, were Seiko’s first widely sold automatic watches: Sportsmatic: automatic winding with date options, representing Seiko’s move toward mass-market automatics Sportsman: simpler, robust, yet still automatic and sportier. In short:Cronos: foundational model, historically significant The Champion represents pure manual craftsmanship from before automatic movements became dominant — a classic for true enthusiasts. The Sportsmatic / Sportsman models are important historically, but the Champion stands apart for its manual movement and refined design. ■ Brand: Seiko CHAMPION series ■ Model Number:15026E ■ Product Number:2370926 Manufactured March1962: Seiko serial numbers are six digits long, with the first two digits indicating the year and month of manufacture. The first number（2）indicates the second year of the 1960s, meaning the watch was manufactured in 1962. The second number（3）is the month code. For Seiko,1-9 represents January through September, O = October, N = November, and D = December. → "3" is March. Therefore, this watch was manufactured in March 1962 ■ Technical features and positioning (important): Cal.22 is an intermediate model between the following above the practical and inexpensive Sportsman (6602, etc.), and is mid-range with good finish. • Details of Movement: Seiko caliber 22 Manufacturing Period- Around 1960 (Champion series)is not an automatic, but manual hand winding only Production started around 1960. • Sub-brands: Champion, Alpinist • Day / date: no • Seconds hand mechanism: Center seconds (indirect drive) Champion uses indirect seconds via friction wheel rather than direct drive • Balance structure: Hairspring: Flat hairspring (not Breguet) Champion is a mid-range model and not a high-end chronometer • Escapement: Swiss lever escapement (standard configuration) • Hacking: no • Rate: beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour (vph), which is equivalent to 2.5 Hz (5 ticks per second), typical of many mid-20th-century manual movements. • Size / diameter: Approximately 10½ lignes ≈ 23.3-23.7 mm Mainstream size for Seiko manual winding watches at the time Consistency with 34mm class case diameter • Size / height: Approximately 3.8-4.5 mm (estimated) Slightly thicker due to central seconds design (similar to Cronos series) • Power Reserve: ~35 hours (estimated on 54-series calibers) Due to the barrel size and low frequency design of the time (Tends to be longer than modern 6-beat movements) • 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. • Development division: Suwa (Nagano Prefecture, Japan) ■Materials: • Case: Stainless Steel • Case Back: EGP（Seiko Gold Plated)20Microns Back Stainless-steel Back inside shows Product Number:2370926 inscription • Dial: EGP Gold case and Double-layer/record dial Concentric "record finish" Shading changes depending on how light hits it → Quite elaborate decoration for its time Three-dimensional bar indices and dauphine 3 hands display combined for both legibility and a luxurious feel elegance. • Case Size:35mmexcluding crown X 40mm including case lug Thickness: 9mm • Weight:51.1gms • Band: Matching Gold Elastic Band and 18cm wrist circumference relaxed and 33cm when stretched maximum • Crystal: Domed Acrylic 【Notes】This watch is not water-resistant. Please avoid wearing it in the rain or on hot, humid days. 【Winding Tips】 To wind the mainspring, turn the crown slowly and gently in clockwise and counterclockwise both directions back and forth until you feel stiff strong resistance, and you could hardly wind further. Strong-Over-winding may damage the mainspring. A full wind usually generates enough power for the watch to last for 24 hours. To pull out the crown, insert your fingernail between the case and the crown and gently lever it outward. The second hand does not stop when setting the time. ■Condition: Overall: The watch is in good pre-owned vintage condition and is currently in good working order. There are very minor scratches and signs of wear on the case and crystal consistent with normal use over time. Case: ALL EGP 20 Micron cases show very minor typical surface scratches, micro-scuffs, and signs of wear, due to its vintage age and regular use. Dial & Crystal: The dial remains in excellent, clean condition, well preserved with clear printing, applied indices, and an attractive texture that has aged gracefully. The crystal shows some minor micro-wear upon close inspection. Tested by manual winding three times during Mar.5th to 20th 2026, the power reserve was 20, 29 and 43 hours respectively.so power reserve is slightly shorter than when it was new due to metal fatigue in the mainspring over 60 years usage. It is suggested to wind the mainspring gently and quietly. Careful handling, when winding and setting time, is required due to a real vintage watch. As the movement and lubrication are in good condition, it is suitable for daily wear if wounded and worn regularly. It needs to be manually wounded at your convenience daily 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)