{"product_id":"montre-seiko-vintage-43-3180-vermeil-argent-925-ovale-1976","title":"Seiko Vintage Watch 43-3180 — Vermeil Sterling Silver 925 Oval (1976) ","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA vermeil case, sterling silver covered in gold\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis watch Seiko reference 43-3180, produced in 1976, stands out for the material of its case: \u003cstrong\u003evermeil\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning solid 925 silver covered with a layer of gold. It is neither plating over brass nor solid gold. The base is a precious metal, which changes everything — the way the material wears, its weight in the hand, and the nature of what appears in worn areas. Where plating reveals yellow brass, vermeil reveals silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe oval case measures 28mm and can be worn equally well by a man or a woman. Its sides curve gently toward the lugs, the bezel is domed and continues seamlessly into the caseband, giving the piece a silhouette of a single continuous form. The crown, golden and fluted, is set with a black cabochon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe white lacquered dial bears twelve black Roman numerals arranged around the entire perimeter, in solid characters of classic design. A railway minute track separates them from the center, drawn as an oval frame that exactly reprises the geometry of the case — a frame within the frame, a device that Seiko was especially fond of on its dress watches from this period. The black baton hands stand out sharply against it. The \u003cem\u003eQ\u003c\/em\u003e emblem accompanied by its lightning-bolt pictogram appears at six o’clock, a logo the brand was then applying to its quartz productions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe caliber belongs to the 43 series, the generation of quartz movements that Seiko launched in 1975. The brand had just brought this technology down from technical feat — the Astron of 1969, the world’s first quartz wristwatch — to accessible serial production. No seconds hand, no aperture: the reading stops at hours and minutes, leaving the surface of the dial untouched.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThree points to note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase in vermeil\u003c\/strong\u003e — solid 925 silver covered in gold, to be distinguished from plating over brass that equipped the vast majority of dress watches from this period.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrame within the frame\u003c\/strong\u003e — the railway minute track forms an oval that reprises the geometry of the case, a characteristic device of Seiko dress watches from the 1970s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQ emblem of Seiko Quartz\u003c\/strong\u003e — the logo applied to the brand’s quartz productions during this period, placing the piece firmly in its time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy choose a vintage Seiko watch?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuying a \u003cstrong\u003evintage Seiko watch\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than a new model means access to a leading Japanese manufacture at a restrained budget, with pieces whose construction has proven its durability. The \u003cstrong\u003evintage quartz watches\u003c\/strong\u003e of this period are also the easiest to maintain on the pre-owned market: a battery change is enough to get them running again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis reference holds a particular place among \u003cstrong\u003evintage men’s and women’s watches\u003c\/strong\u003e: its \u003cstrong\u003evermeil\u003c\/strong\u003e case places it in the realm of precious metal, where almost all Japanese dress watches of this period remained with plating. Its 28mm oval format makes it a \u003cstrong\u003evintage dress watch\u003c\/strong\u003e that can be worn equally by both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all our \u003cstrong\u003epre-owned Seiko watches\u003c\/strong\u003e, this one has been opened and inspected by our watchmakers: verification of the caliber and its consistency with the reference, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Each \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese vintage watch\u003c\/strong\u003e  we offer comes with an invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year warranty, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-seiko-vintage\"\u003eDiscover our vintage Seiko watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-vintage-japonaises\"\u003eView our selection of vintage Japanese watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical characteristics\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 dress watch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43-3180\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated year:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1976\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 Japanese quartz, caliber Seiko series 43\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vermeil (solid 925 silver covered with gold plating), oval shape (steel caseback)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 28mm (30mm with crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug to lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e 37mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.3mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrown:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden, fluted, black cabochon, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e White lacquered, black Roman numerals, railway minute track, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black, baton-shaped, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mineral (condition 7\/10)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrap:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black crocodile-style 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 warranty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good overall condition. The white lacquered dial is in fair condition, and the Roman numerals and hands are perfectly sharp. The case shows wear to the gilding on the bezel and edges, revealing the silver in places, as shown in our photographs. The Crystal bears signs of wear in the form of scratches (7\/10).\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\u003eMechanics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quartz movement checked, new battery, 1-year guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Invoice Atelier Victor\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 is vermeil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVermeil is solid silver, here 925 silver, covered with a layer of gold. It is neither gold plating over brass nor solid gold: the base is a precious metal, which distinguishes vermeil from simple plating. The difference is visible with wear — worn plating reveals yellow brass, while worn vermeil reveals white silver — and can be felt in the hand, as silver is denser than brass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the Q emblem on the dial?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is the logo that Seiko used on its quartz productions in the 1970s, accompanied by a lightning-shaped pictogram. At a time when the technology was still new and distinctive, the brand wanted to signal it visually on the dial. Today, this logo is an immediate dating marker for collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow should a vermeil case be cared for?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eA soft, dry cloth is sufficient for routine care. Avoid silver cleaning products: they are abrasive and damage the surface layer of gold. In areas where the gilding has worn away, the silver may darken slightly over time, which is the normal behavior of the metal and not a defect. Re-gilding remains possible through a specialist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a vintage Seiko watch a safe purchase?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is, provided authenticity has been established and the condition is described without reservation. Our watchmakers systematically open the case to verify the caliber and its consistency with the reference, and inspect the dial, hands, and all components. Every pre-owned Seiko watch sold by Atelier Victor comes with an invoice serving as a certificate of authenticity, a one-year warranty, and authenticity guaranteed for life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a width of 28mm, a Lug-to-lug of 37mm, and a thickness of 7.3mm, it suits wrists measuring approximately 15 to 18cm. Its oval shape follows the wrist without edges, making it comfortable even on a slim wrist. The Lug width measures 16mm, allowing the strap to be changed easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Seiko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54571882873169,"sku":"601700 43-3180","price":393.75,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/8576\/2597\/files\/montre-seiko-vintage-43-3180-vermeil-argent-925-ovale-1976-atelier-victor-1.jpg?v=1787407676","url":"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/en\/products\/seiko-vintage-watch-43-3180-vermeil-sterling-silver-925-oval-1976","provider":"Atelier Victor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}