{"product_id":"montre-seiko-quartz-qr-3862-5010-cadran-bleu-boitier-coussin-1974","title":"Seiko Quartz Watch QR 3862-5010 — Blue Dial Case Cushion (1974) ","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA first-generation Seiko quartz, sold in 1974 at the price of a Grand Seiko\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Seiko watch belongs to the \u003cstrong\u003eSeries 38\u003c\/strong\u003e, the first family of quartz calibres that Seiko mass-produced from 1971 onward, in the wake of the 1969 Astron. At the time, quartz was not an inexpensive technology: a watch from this series cost several times the price of a Grand Seiko chronometer, and this reference 3862-5010 appeared in the 1974 catalogue at the same price as an automatic Grand Seiko Hi-Beat. Its finishing and dial are of that standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe designation \u003cstrong\u003eQR\u003c\/strong\u003e, printed on the dial, was borne by only two calibres in the series, the 3862 and the 3863. The \u003cstrong\u003ecalibre 3862\u003c\/strong\u003e in this watch shares its base with that of the Seiko Superior, one of the most sought-after quartz watches of the decade, without the latter’s thermal compensation. It displays the hours, minutes, central seconds, and a quickset date. It has been checked and fitted with a new battery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003esteel cushion case\u003c\/strong\u003e, measuring 34.3mm by 41.5mm Lug-to-lug, is built with polished flat surfaces, in the spirit of 1970s Seiko design: crisp edges, surfaces that reflect the light as a single block. Its 11.5mm thickness is characteristic of the quartz module of the period. An oval opening is cut into it around the dial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003esunburst blue dial\u003c\/strong\u003e shifts from light blue to deep blue depending on the angle of the light. It features bold, well-drawn white \u003cstrong\u003eArabic numerals\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cem\u003eSeiko Quartz QR\u003c\/em\u003e signature at twelve o’clock, the quartz emblem at six o’clock, and a \u003cstrong\u003edate window\u003c\/strong\u003e at three o’clock. The white baton hands and seconds hand stand out clearly against it. This watch is fitted on a taupe grained leather strap with a later Buckle steel pin buckle, both added later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThree points to note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirst-generation quartz\u003c\/strong\u003e — Series 38, calibre 3862, produced in 1974 at the price of a Grand Seiko.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunburst blue dial with Arabic numerals\u003c\/strong\u003e — 1970s design in its original condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDated April 1974\u003c\/strong\u003e — original serial number, unpolished steel cushion case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy choose a 1970s Seiko quartz?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuying a \u003cstrong\u003evintage Seiko quartz watch\u003c\/strong\u003e from this generation means buying an object that has nothing to do with the quartz that became commonplace ten years later. These calibres were assembled with the same care as the house’s high-end mechanical movements, housed in cases of equal quality, and sold at prices that reflected it. They are now sought after by collectors of Seiko for this reason.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis watch holds a distinct place among \u003cstrong\u003emen’s and women’s vintage watches\u003c\/strong\u003e: its 34.3mm by 41.5mm cushion case Lug-to-lug is a medium format, suitable for both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all our \u003cstrong\u003evintage quartz watches\u003c\/strong\u003e, this one has been opened and checked by our watchmakers: inspection of the movement, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Every \u003cstrong\u003evintage watch\u003c\/strong\u003e we offer comes with an Atelier Victor invoice serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and lifetime authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-seiko-vintage\"\u003eDiscover our other Seiko vintage watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-quartz\"\u003eView all our vintage quartz watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quartz QR, series 38\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3862-5010\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerial number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4423••\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1974 (April)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGender:\u003c\/strong\u003e Men's and women's watch (Unisex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko quartz, calibre 3862\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes, central seconds, date\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel, steel caseback, cushion shape with polished flat surfaces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 34.3mm (37mm including the crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug to lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e 41.5mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11.5mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrown:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fluted steel, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunburst blue, white Arabic numerals, quartz emblem, date window, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e White baton hands, central seconds hand, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plexi (condition 8\/10)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrap:\u003c\/strong\u003e Taupe grained leather, not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuckle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel pin buckle, not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition and guarantee\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good state of preservation. Intact sunburst blue dial, numerals and hands without alteration, crisp date window. The unpolished steel case shows scratches and signs of wear on its flat surfaces and bezel, visible in our photographs; its edges remain intact. The Crystal plexi shows light marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not guaranteed (vintage watch)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthenticity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lifetime guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quartz movement checked, new battery, guaranteed for 1 year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Atelier Victor invoice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original box and papers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does QR mean on the dial?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is the designation that Seiko gave to two calibres in its Series 38, the 3862 with date and the 3863 with day and date. Series 38, launched in 1971, was the first quartz family that Seiko produced on a large scale after the 1969 Astron, at a time when quartz was cutting-edge technology sold at a higher price than the brand's mechanical watches. The QR models stand apart from the other watches in the series through more colourful dials and bolder cases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow accurate is this watch?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeiko stated for this calibre an accuracy of twenty seconds per month — a figure that may seem modest compared with a modern quartz watch, but which in 1974 surpassed any mechanical watch, including chronometers. The movement has been checked and is guaranteed for one year. Occasional time-setting should be expected, not daily adjustment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is this watch so thick for a quartz watch?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eBecause the quartz modules of 1974 had nothing of the slimness of those from the 1980s: the circuit, the stepper motor and the battery occupied a volume comparable to that of an automatic movement. The 11.5mm thickness of this watch is typical of its generation, and its flat-sided cushion case was designed to be worn with confidence rather than concealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Crystal original?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is an original-shaped plexi Crystal, rated 8\/10: it shows light signs of wear that we chose to leave rather than replace. The plexi can easily be polished by a watchmaker if one wishes to refresh it, and it can be replaced without difficulty on the day it becomes necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat wrist size is this watch suited to?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a 34.3mm case and 41.5mm Lug-to-lug, it is a medium format, ideally worn on an average wrist, where the cushion case asserts its presence without overreaching and where its flat surfaces catch the light. That said, a watch is also a matter of style: depending on personal taste and the desired look, this piece can be worn equally well by a man or a woman, on all kinds of wrists. The measurement is only a guide, never a rule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Seiko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54572029182289,"sku":"442340 3862-5010","price":388.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/8576\/2597\/files\/2VD01969.jpg?v=1787778769","url":"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/en\/products\/seiko-quartz-watch-qr-3862-5010-blue-dial-case-cushion-1974","provider":"Atelier Victor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}