Vintage Alba Success Watch — Gold-Plated Moonphase (1990s)
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Serviced movement & 1 year warranty
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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A moonphase on a Japanese quartz watch
This Alba Success Vintage watch, produced in the 1990s, can be worn equally well by a man or a woman, with a 32.4mm round gold-plated case whose lugs form open bridle lugs at right angles, detached from the case middle. This design, closer to jewelry than to classic watchmaking, visually lightens the case and lets light pass between the strap and the dial.
The distinctive feature of this piece is its moonphase. In an arched aperture bordered with stylized clouds, a midnight-blue disc sprinkled with golden dots displays a likewise golden moon, whose visible portion follows the lunar cycle. It is a complication rarely found on a quartz watch of this category, and here it occupies the entire upper half of the dial.
The silvered dial features a grainy, almost sandblasted texture, which diffuses the light rather than reflecting it. Twelve black Roman numerals are printed around the perimeter, framed by a railroad minute track, with small golden dots between each one. The date window is located at six o’clock. The golden hands, very fine and tapered, complete the ensemble.
Alba is the entry-level brand of the Seiko group, created to offer accessible watches benefiting from the manufacturing expertise and movements of the parent company. The Success line formed its dress segment. The word Vintage printed on the dial is the name of this variation, not a description: it already appeared on the watches when they were new at the time.
Three points to note
- Moonphase — a golden moon against a midnight-blue sky sprinkled with stars, an uncommon complication on a quartz watch of this category.
- Open bridle lugs — detached from the case middle and forming right angles, they visually lighten the case.
- Grain-textured dial — a sandblasted surface that diffuses the light rather than reflecting it.
Why choose a vintage Japanese watch?
Buying a vintage Japanese watch rather than a new model gives access to complications that current production reserves for much higher ranges. The vintage quartz watches of this period are also the easiest to maintain on the pre-owned market: a battery change is enough to get them running again.
This piece holds a distinct place among men’s and women’s vintage watches: its moonphase makes it an original watch that visually offers far more than its original positioning would have suggested. Its 32.4mm format makes it equally wearable by both.
Like all our pre-owned watches, this one has been opened and inspected by our watchmakers: verification of the movement, proper functioning of the moonphase, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Every vintage watch we offer comes with an invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.
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Technical specifications
- Brand: Alba (Seiko group)
- Model: Success Vintage
- Reference: V338-6011
- Estimated year: 1990s
- Origin: Japan
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Japanese quartz, calibre V338
- Functions: Hours, minutes, date at 6 o'clock, moonphase
- Case: Gold-plated, round shape with open loop lugs (steel caseback)
- Dimensions: 32.4mm (35mm with the crown)
- Lug to lug: 38mm
- Thickness: 8.4mm
- Lug width: 16mm
- Crown: Golden, dark cabochon, not original
- Dial: Silver-toned with grained texture, black Roman numerals, railway minute track, midnight blue moonphase disc, original
- Hands: Golden, tapered baton shape, original
- Crystal: Mineral (condition 9/10)
- Strap: Black crocodile-style leather, not original
- Buckle: Steel pin buckle, not original
Condition and warranty
- Overall condition: Good overall condition. The silver-toned dial retains all of its grained texture, the Roman numerals and moonphase disc are crisp, and the hands are intact. The Crystal is in very fine condition (9/10). The gold plating on the case shows light marks and signs of wear, notably on the bezel and lugs, consistent with the age of the piece.
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Mechanical condition: Quartz movement checked, new battery, guaranteed for 1 year
- Included: Invoice Atelier Victor
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently asked questions
How does the moonphase work?
A disc placed beneath the dial bears two moons and turns slowly, so that the visible portion in the aperture reproduces the lunar cycle of approximately twenty-nine and a half days. On a quartz movement, this disc is driven electronically. Adjustment is made via the crown, synchronizing the displayed moon with the actual phase of the day.
Why does the word Vintage appear on the dial?
It is the name of the variation, not a description. Alba marketed this line under the name Success Vintage, and the wording already appeared on the watches when new at the time. It referred to an aesthetic approach — Roman numerals, moonphase, textured dial — inspired by antique watches, while the piece itself was fresh from the factory.
What is Alba?
Alba is the entry-level brand of the Seiko group, created to offer accessible watches benefiting from the manufacturing and movements of the parent company. The Success line was its dress segment. This positioning explains how a complication such as the moonphase came to appear on a watch in this category.
What is a grained-texture dial?
This is a finely grained surface, obtained by sandblasting, which diffuses the light rather than reflecting it directly. Unlike a satin-finished dial, which produces bright bands, a grained dial remains matte regardless of the angle. Against this silvered background, the treatment highlights the moonphase disc without competing with it.
Is this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?
With a diameter of 32.4mm, a Lug-to-lug of 38mm, and a thickness of 8.4mm, it suits wrists measuring approximately 15 to 18cm. Its short Lug-to-lug relative to the diameter makes it comfortable on a slim wrist. The Lug width measures 16mm, making it easy to change the strap.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
We accept several payment methods:
- Bank card (Visa, Mastercard — American Express not accepted)
- Bank transfer (AED, EUR, USD)
- Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
- PayPal
Other currencies accepted upon request. Exchange fees of approximately 3% may apply.
A 3% discount is granted for any payment by bank transfer starting from €1,000.
Does the strap not suit you? Add the strap of your choice to your order: we will fit it to your watch before shipment, at no fitting charge.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.
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