| Manufacture | Seiko |
|---|---|
| Model | Quartz QZ |
| Reference | 0923 5000 |
| Movement | Quartz, 6 jewels at +1,3 spd |
| Serial No. | 51XXXX |
| Case | Stainless Steel, 35x42x11mm |
| Crystal | Hardlex |
| Dial | Blue Electric |
| Bracelet | XJB160, 185 mm around |
| Lugs | 18mm |
| Production | 1975-01 |
| Condition | NOS |
| Service | New battery, new battery hatch gasket |
| Box | No |
| Papers | No |
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 then was evolved in 1975 into the 09 series with a 15/20 spm specification and a triple day font function for the 0923. This means that quicksetting a 0923 is somewhat more complicated than usual, the date wheel as a matter of course will turn together with the day wheel! This is not a malfunction but a mechanical necessity. After setting the day, one always has to set the date - use the quickset in that order.
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. However, with more or less the same specifications and a four year difference, the QR would have had the higher market positioning - just below QT of course.
Some stats are printed below, between brackets the seconds per month:
1974, 08 series, 0822 (15), 0823 (15), 0841 (15), 0842 (15), 0843 (10), 0852 (10) and 0853 King Quartz (10)