Wright Auction

Seiko’s 62MAS—MAS short for “autoMAtic Selfdater”—is the grandfather of all Seiko dive watches and shaped the very definition of a modern dive watch. Launched in 1965, it featured an automatic movement, 150m water resistance, and a large 37mm case. The Seiko 62MAS ref. 6217-8001, released one year after the original 62MAS, featured a larger crown and is a rare find for collectors, as the model was discontinued in 1967. With its clean aesthetic and functional design, the 62MAS is an iconic Seiko timepiece.

Kintarō Hattori opened a watch and jewelry shop in Tokyo in 1881, focusing on unique imported timepieces rare in the Asian market. His retail enterprise soon transformed into the production of clocks initially producing pocket watches and eventually the more modern wristwatch. In 1924, with the building of a new state-of-the-art factory, he launched Seiko competing with Swiss watchmakers in superior accuracy and cost. While most Swiss Watchmakers were reliant on movements and parts produced by different manufacturers, Seiko relied on vertical integration. By 1956, Seiko designed and produced every part in-house including the oil used in the movement, and within just a few years, Seiko was producing some of the most accurate, modern, and reasonably priced watches on the market. Seiko watches are true icons of Japanese design and modern influence.