{"product_id":"montre-alba-success-vintage-phase-de-lune-plaque-or-1990s","title":"Vintage Alba Success Watch — Gold-Plated Moonphase (1990s) ","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA moonphase on a Japanese quartz watch\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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 \u003cstrong\u003eopen bridle lugs\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distinctive feature of this piece is its \u003cstrong\u003emoonphase\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlba 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 \u003cem\u003eSuccess\u003c\/em\u003e line formed its dress segment. The word \u003cem\u003eVintage\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThree points to note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMoonphase\u003c\/strong\u003e — a golden moon against a midnight-blue sky sprinkled with stars, an uncommon complication on a quartz watch of this category.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen bridle lugs\u003c\/strong\u003e — detached from the case middle and forming right angles, they visually lighten the case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrain-textured dial\u003c\/strong\u003e — a sandblasted surface that diffuses the light rather than reflecting it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy choose a vintage Japanese watch?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuying a \u003cstrong\u003evintage Japanese watch\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than a new model gives access to complications that current production reserves for much higher ranges. 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 piece holds a distinct place among \u003cstrong\u003emen’s and women’s vintage watches\u003c\/strong\u003e: its moonphase makes it an \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal watch\u003c\/strong\u003e that visually offers far more than its original positioning would have suggested. Its 32.4mm format makes it equally wearable by both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all our \u003cstrong\u003epre-owned watches\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003evintage watch\u003c\/strong\u003e we offer comes with an invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-vintage-japonaises\"\u003eDiscover our vintage Japanese watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-vintage-moins-500\"\u003eSee our vintage watches under €500\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 Alba (Seiko group)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Success Vintage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e V338-6011\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated year:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1990s\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, calibre V338\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes, date at 6 o'clock, moonphase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-plated, round shape with open loop lugs (steel caseback)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 32.4mm (35mm with the crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug to lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e 38mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.4mm\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, dark cabochon, not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver-toned with grained texture, black Roman numerals, railway minute track, midnight blue moonphase disc, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden, tapered baton shape, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mineral (condition 9\/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\u003eOverall condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\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 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\u003eHow does the moonphase work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does the word Vintage appear on the dial?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is the name of the variation, not a description. Alba marketed this line under the name \u003cem\u003eSuccess Vintage\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Alba?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlba 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a grained-texture dial?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Alba","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54678786015569,"sku":"9N1249 V338-6011","price":1.05,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/8576\/2597\/files\/VD_06316.jpg?v=1787685572","url":"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/en\/products\/vintage-alba-success-watch-gold-plated-moonphase-1990s","provider":"Atelier Victor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}