Vintage 1966’yrs Seiko Seikomatic R 8346-9000 Day-Date Classic 30Jewels SGP Gold case Matching Private Metal Band Automatic Watch Excellent Condition:KA180 Historical background of this model shows that Seikomatic R series represents one of Seiko's last premium automatic lines before the introduction of the Business-A and later the famous Lord Matic (56 series). The 8346 series was introduced around 1966, during the transition from the earlier Seikomatic Weekdater models (6206, 6218) toward the modern automatic movements of the late 1960s. It occupied the upper-middle class of Seiko's lineup. As the important characteristics, this model is considered successor to the 8306 family and one of the earliest Seiko automatics with manual winding plus automatic winding with quick day/date mechanism, Suwa Seikosha manufacture and was produced only for a relatively short period (1966–1967 before Business-A branding replaced Seikomatic-R). Because of this short production period, collectors generally regard the Seikomatic-R as significantly scarcer than ordinary Sportsmatic or Seiko 5 models. Caliber 8346A Specifications is another point worth mentioning. The movement itself is technically Cal. 8346A, whose factory specification is 27 jewels. However, many Seikomatic-R rotors are engraved "30 JEWELS" for marketing purposes, while the actual train layout corresponds to the 27-jewel 8346A design. Collectors have documented this long-standing Seiko practice. This model is the basis for Seiko’s later iconic 5 Series, affordable, reliable automatic daily watches before the dominance of the Seiko 5 series 1962-1968 (approx.) and helped to establish Seiko’s reputation for robust automatic calibers and everyday mechanical reliability. The Sportsmatic line directly influenced the design and ethos of subsequent Seiko 5 and 5 Sports models. The 83xx family-including Cal. 8346-was produced for only about 4 years (c. 1965–1969) before Seiko shifted to newer movement families. Seikomatic was the broad range from which Seikomatic-R and later Business-A emerged, representing more upscale automatic watches than Sportsmatic. Sportsmatic generally had simpler, more utilitarian designs and calibers, often at lower price points and with less elaborate movements (e.g., lower jewel counts and simpler winding systems). Around 1967, Seiko began phasing out the Seikomatic branding in favor of “Business” and “Business-A” for certain calibers like 8346, aligning nomenclature with consumer segments (business professionals) and design language. As engineering and movement hierarchy, the 8346 was considered an upper mid-range movement — not as high as Grand Seiko but competitive with some Swiss automatics of similar vintage in terms of build quality and jewel count. Early Seikomatic-R examples (pre-Business-A branding) are often especially desirable among collectors knowing they represent the early phase of this movement family. Gold/EGP dress variants like the 8346-9000 have niche collector appeal due to their period styling and slim dress profile. For this reason, it continues to attract many vintage collectors today. ■ Brand: Seikomstic R ■ Model Number: 8346-9000 ■ Product Number:6N72619 Manufactured November 1966: Seiko serial numbers are six digits long, with the first two digits indicating the year and month of manufacture. The first number （6） indicates the sixth year of the 1960s, meaning the watch was manufactured in 1966. The next letter （N） 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 November 1966. ■ Technical features of the 8346 movement: • Details of Movement: Seiko caliber 8346A is an Automatic + Manual winding movement. Production period is only around 1965 to 1967. • Sub-brands:Business-A, Weekdater, Seikomatic-R, Sea Lion, Seikomatic • Complications: Day and date Calendar quickset • Date quickset via crown turned in both directions • Week Day set by advancing hands over midnight and back to 9oclock position repeatedly. (typical for the era) • Rate:18,000 bph Low-beat nature, robust but less precise compared to later higher-beat calibers. Frequency-2.5 Hz • Hacking:No • Number of jewels: Mechanically 27 jewels (rotor often marked 30 Jewels) • Size / diameter: 28.6mm X Height:4.8mm movement height quite slim for 1960s automatics • Development division: Suwa Seikosha (Nagano Prefecture, Japan) • Diashock: shock protection • Reverser system: uses reverser wheel system instead of Seiko’s typical “Magic Lever,” resulting in smoother winding and a slimmer profile. Slimness and manual hand-winding were premium features compared with more basic Seiko automatics of that era. • Notes: The same as cal. 8305 but with day display (as well as date). Unusually, the date is quickset in both directions, and the day is set by repeatedly moving the hour hand backwards and forwards past midnight. The automatic winding mechanism does not use Seiko's famous "magic lever" system – instead it has an integrated wheel system, making the movement slimmer. ■Materials: • Case: Stainless Steel • Case Size:37mm excluding crown X 42mm including case lug Thickness: 12mm • Dial Display: Matte to sunburst Champagine Gold finish face and stylish bar indexes and Dolphin 3 hands display combined for both legibility and elegance, analogue Calendar day and date • Case Back: S Steel Case back inside marked Overhaul 51-2-4 meaning Feb.4th1976 • Total Weight:81.8gms • Crystal: Domed Acrylic • Band: Matching Gold Seiko Private Metal Band with 17cm long wrist circumference • Water Proof : resistant for everyday life water dishing/showering but don't expect too much from it: Even if it was labeled "Water Proof" at the time, it doesn't meet modern Water-Proof standards. Avoid using it around water. ■Guide to set day/date/time: • Quick Set Date Change Device: pull out one notch first position to rotate clockwise for Date back and counterclockwise for Date forward • Weekday and Time: Pull out two notches to second position to rotate clockwise over 24 hours for correct Weekday then re-set correct Time rotating hands, rotate the crown for a correct hour and minute, no Hacking device for second adjustment ■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 : shows 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. During June5th to 15th 2026, the watch was tested by manual waving my hands over 400 times each time to rotate the automatic lever, the power reserve was 47 and 43 hours respectively.so power reserve is excellent maintaining as good as new one, despite of over 60 years usage. Majic Lever automatic winding system still works excellently proving power reserve is maintained over 40 hours. So, the mainspring does not show age-related wear and metal fatigue. The watch is in good condition overall and still does work precisely, but very 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) ■Third party’s comment/evaluation on the photos of the watch and movement (A)Evaluation of the Watch 1. Dial ★★★★★ (9.5/10): Excellent.: The champagne sunburst dial remains remarkably clean. I can see: original dial/original applied SEIKO logo/original Seikomatic-R printing/ sharp applied indexes/no obvious moisture damage/no refinishing. Only slight age toning around the outer minute track, entirely normal for a 60-year-old watch. Excellent collector condition. 2. Hands ★★★★★ (9.5/10): Original dauphine hands. No corrosion visible. No replacement signs. 3. Crystal ★★★★☆ (8.5/10): Typical acrylic crystal. There are: light scratches/slight haze. Nothing serious. A careful polish with Polywatch would improve the appearance onsiderably. 4. Gold-Plated Case ★★★★★ (9.2/10): This impressed me most. Most Seikomatic-R gold cases show: heavy brass exposure/plating wear/corrosion on the lugs. Your example still shows: strong gold color/crisp lugs/no significant brass exposure/little edge wear. This is considerably better than average. 5. Case Back ★★★★★ (9.5/10): Excellent. The dolphin "Water Proof" medallion is still nicely preserved. Serial:6N72619 which is consistent with November 1966 production. 6. Bracelet ★★★★☆ (8/10): This appears to be a period-correct private (aftermarket) metal bracelet rather than the original Seiko bracelet. It suits the watch well but does not add collector value. An original Seiko bracelet would increase desirability. (B)Movement Evaluation: This is where your watch stands out. The movement appears exceptionally clean. Observations: ✓ Rotor finish still excellent✓ Original gold lettering ✓ Original screws✓ Bright bridges✓ No rust✓ No visible oxidation✓ No amateur tool damage✓ Jewel settings appear clean Overall movement grade: 9.5 / 10 : This is significantly above average for an untouched 1966 movement. (C)Overhaul Record : The case back has handwritten service information: 51.2.4 This follows the Japanese Showa calendar. Showa 51 = 1976 Therefore:4 February 1976 That means the watch was professionally serviced approximately ten years after manufacture. This is actually a positive feature. It tells us: the watch was maintained rather than neglected/someone invested in servicing it during its working life/the movement likely avoided decades of dried oil after that service. Collectors generally appreciate documented historical service markings inside case backs. (D)Originality Assessment Component Original? Dial ★★★★★ Hands ★★★★★ Crown Appears original Movement Original Rotor Original Case Original Crystal Probably original Bracelet Aftermarket/private Overall originality: About 95% Excellent. (E)Collector Grade Item Grade Dial A Case A− Movement A Originality A Rarity A Overall A (Collector Quality) (F)Final Assessment This is one of the nicest Seikomatic-R 8346-9000 examples I have seen among the vintage Seiko models you've shared. Strengths: Excellent original champagne dial/Very clean 8346A movement with intact gold rotor lettering/Strong gold plating with minimal wear/Documented historical overhaul (1976)/High originality (aside from the bracelet)/Rare transitional Seikomatic-R model Minor drawbacks: Aftermarket bracelet rather than the original Seiko bracelet/Light scratching and age haze on the acrylic crystal/As with all 8346A movements, the day/date quickset should be operated carefully and never during the calendar-change period (roughly 9 PM–3 AM) to avoid damaging the calendar mechanism. Overall collector rating: 9.4/10 — an excellent collector-quality Seikomatic-R that is notably above average for a 1966 SGP example.