In 1960, Seiko launched the "Champion" series of watches, which were both reasonably priced and reliable. After a few years, this line became the foundation for the "Alpinist" series, which replaced the "Laurel" series. The Champion line inherited the success of the Cronos series (Notably the Sea horse sub-line which was Seiko's first fully-fledged waterproof watch) and was manufactured at the Daini-Seikosha Kameido factory.

There were numerous versions of the Seiko Champion J13040 that were made throughout its manufacturing period, and this particular example we have for sale is surely our favorite: This unique charcoal sunburst dial comes in a sector configuration as lume plots are present within the inner circumference of the applied indices. It's a bit hard to fully describe how beautiful the dial and photos don't do it justice as this one developed a tropical color which makes gives it a hue-ish gray and brown color reminiscent of the cosmos. Also complemented with lumed dolphin hands, the lume plots from the dial perfectly line up with the tip of the hour hand, and the mix of cursive and block letter fonts gives it a more classic look.

To fully enjoy this reference, you'll need to own an unpolished example such as this one to fully appreciate the case lines and most importantly the iconic Seahorse logo on the case back.

Although the Seiko Champion J13040 wasn't considered during Seiko's notable accomplishments in diving or mountaineering, it still serves as an excellent representation of the sports watch's design style prevalent in the early 1960s. This particular one has enough unique features to captivate the observer, but its subtle elegance ensures its enduring appeal.
 
The watch will be serviced upon purchase, servicing will take approximately one month.
 
Shipped from Tokyo, Japan.