Seiko Quartz QZ 0923-8050 (Sold)
€ 155.00
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A serious collector will have dealings with the 38 caliber movement and the other early quartzes of the seventies. These movements were divided in the SQ, QT, QR and QZ quartzes. They were the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) watches made around 1971-75, while the export models were mostly labelled SQ 3003 (QT), SQ 2002 (QR) and SQ 4004 (QZ).
The highest quality and the most expensive of these quartzes were the SQ & QT with tighter specifications - 15s as compared to QR's 20. Only then came the QR and finally (much later in time as well) the QZ. But remember, at this time there were no cheap quartzes so even the lower grade QZ was more expensive than the average mechanical watch.
After 1975 the 38QR did not turn up again in any other series and died out as such; it is depicted lastly in the catalogue of 1975 - right next to the identically priced 08QZW/08QZC - that would be calibers such as 0842/0843. It is evident then that these 08's are the descendants of the 38QR.
What a conclusion to see these presumably simple quartzes elevated.. Of course they already looked the part. The 38QZ finally is continued in 1975 in the 09 series with a 15/20spm specification.
In hindsight, there never was a model year where all these designations existed at the same time, but it is evident that some SQ's are better and more expensive than both the QT and QR. The cheapest QR of course was more expensive than the QZ at introduction but this compares 1971 against 1975 where there probably has been significant price erosion for quartz watches.
The highest quality and the most expensive of these quartzes were the SQ & QT with tighter specifications - 15s as compared to QR's 20. Only then came the QR and finally (much later in time as well) the QZ. But remember, at this time there were no cheap quartzes so even the lower grade QZ was more expensive than the average mechanical watch.
After 1975 the 38QR did not turn up again in any other series and died out as such; it is depicted lastly in the catalogue of 1975 - right next to the identically priced 08QZW/08QZC - that would be calibers such as 0842/0843. It is evident then that these 08's are the descendants of the 38QR.
What a conclusion to see these presumably simple quartzes elevated.. Of course they already looked the part. The 38QZ finally is continued in 1975 in the 09 series with a 15/20spm specification.
In hindsight, there never was a model year where all these designations existed at the same time, but it is evident that some SQ's are better and more expensive than both the QT and QR. The cheapest QR of course was more expensive than the QZ at introduction but this compares 1971 against 1975 where there probably has been significant price erosion for quartz watches.