Basket: 0

Total: € 0.00

Seiko Elnix 0703-6011 NOS (Sold)

€ 325.00

Sold out

Manufacture Seiko
Model Elnix
Reference 0703 6011
Movement Electric, battery: SR44SW
Serial No. 30XXXX
Case Steel, Tanaka design 37x43x12mm
Crystal Hardlex
Dial Green linen gradient
Bracelet XLB081
Lugs 19mm
Production 1973-10
Condition NOS
Service New battery, new gasket
Box No
Papers No


This is a Seiko Elnix from 1973 - Daini division. It has an guilloché green gradient dial which is quite the rarity, on top of that an applied gold Elnix logo, spiraling upward arrow-style (symbolizing electricity)! As seen in the photos the dial plays with the light unlike any other watch!

In the short period between 1957 and the mid 1970s Electric Watches reigned. Seiko had five series of these movement calibres, with the Elnix marked as the last Emperor; the most advanced and last transistorized electric watch. 

The electric movement has a battery, also either a balance wheel or a tuning fork and either electrical contacts or a transistor. This however was a very short-lived transitional phase: transistors were just becoming available and mass-produced quartz watches had not yet appeared.

Electric Watches really have died out, the last one was probably made in the mid 1970s. In strict terms, Electric Watches are those without any electronic components i.e. no resistors, diodes or transistors; just a coil, contact and battery.

The watch on sale here is equipped with day-date functions, it also has a smooth sweeping second hand (!) which is a dead give away that it is not a quartz, but to confuse matters, it is also not an automatic...

The fact is, this watch is powered by the 16 Jewels 0703A movement, and a 1.55 volt Silver Oxide Battery breaths life into the movement, not a rotor or a hairspring. It has a frequency of 4 Hz and an amplitude of 8 beats per second or 28,800 bph. That puts it in the same league as a chronometer..

As these watches still use a balance-wheel they should not be confused with quartz-controlled movements or Bulova's Accutron "tuning fork" technology. They are an important milestone; and most of them still run problem free.