{"product_id":"montre-seiko-tank-5e21-5a50-plaque-or-cadran-dor-sable-1990","title":"Vintage Seiko Tank Watch — Sandblasted Gold Dial (1990) ","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSeiko Tank gold-plated: the Japanese dress watch with a sanded gold dial\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Seiko watch is a unisex \u003cstrong\u003edress watch\u003c\/strong\u003e, designed for the city and worn equally by a woman or a man. Its \u003cstrong\u003erectangular case\u003c\/strong\u003e with four bevelled corners is an exercise in austere geometry: no attached lugs, the bracelet springs directly from the case, and the polished flanks reflect the light in crisp edges. Overall, it measures 27mm (29mm with the crown) for a Lug-to-lug of 31mm and a thickness of 5.4mm, Crystal included. A watch that stays hidden beneath a cuff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003esanded gold dial\u003c\/strong\u003e is the star of the piece. Its finely grained surface catches the light in thousands of points, without ever producing the smooth sheen of a sunburst dial: it shimmers, it does not shine. Twelve applied gold baton hour markers rhythmically encircle the dial, double at 12 o'clock. Two faceted baton hands and a \u003cstrong\u003eslender seconds hand\u003c\/strong\u003e are all that is needed for the display. The Seiko signature occupies the top of the dial, the only inscription alongside the reference engraving at the bottom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt its heart beats the \u003cstrong\u003eSeiko caliber 5E21\u003c\/strong\u003e, an analog quartz three-hand movement produced in Japan, part of the 5Exx family that Seiko designed for its finest dress cases. It is this ultra-thin architecture that here allows the 5.4mm profile. The movement of this example has been checked by our watchmaker and the battery replaced before shipment. Seiko has never published a precision specification for this caliber: we therefore make no numerical claim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the wrist, the piece behaves more like a jeweler's watch than an instrument. The warm \u003cstrong\u003egold-plated\u003c\/strong\u003e case, the dark cabochon set into the fluted crown, and the gold dial compose a monochrome ensemble that the navy blue \u003cstrong\u003egenuine crocodile leather\u003c\/strong\u003e strap cuts through with sharp contrast. This strap is not original; it is fitted with a Buckle steel pin buckle. The Lug width of 18mm leaves complete freedom to change it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThree points to note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 5E21 caliber is no longer produced: movement spare parts are becoming scarce, even though a battery change remains a routine operation for any watchmaker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo original precision specification has been published by Seiko for this caliber. We therefore make no claim in seconds per month.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe case is gold-plated, not solid: it should be kept away from repeated rubbing against a bracelet or a Buckle belt buckle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-seiko-vintage\"\u003eDiscover all our vintage Seiko 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 Seiko\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rectangular dress watch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5E21-5A50\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1990\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, Seiko caliber 5E21\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes, seconds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-plated (steel caseback), rectangular shape with bevelled corners\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 27mm (29mm with the crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug to lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e  31mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness :\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.4mm (Crystal included)\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 Gold-plated, fluted, dark cabochon, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial :\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandblasted gold, applied gold baton indexes, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands :\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold, faceted baton hands, slender seconds hand, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal :\u003c\/strong\u003e Mineral, in very good condition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBracelet :\u003c\/strong\u003e Genuine navy blue crocodile leather, non-original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuckle :\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel pin buckle, non-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 Very fine condition. Even gold plating, with no notable wear on the corners or edges of the case. Superficial micro-scratches from use on the case and the Crystal, visible in raking light, 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\u003eMovement :\u003c\/strong\u003e Controlled quartz movement, new battery, guaranteed for 1 year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded :\u003c\/strong\u003e Atelier Victor invoice, protective case\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 should a gold-plated case be maintained ?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGold plating is a layer of precious metal deposited on a steel case: it wears through abrasion, never through oxidation. Avoid repeated friction against a bracelet, a stiff leather strap or a belt buckle, and remove the watch before any manual work. A soft, dry cloth is enough for routine care; abrasive products and ultrasonic baths should be avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Seiko 5E21 caliber reliable ?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The 5E21 is a three-hand analog quartz movement, made in Japan, from the 5Exx family that Seiko reserved for its extra-thin dress cases. Its simple construction makes it durable, and in practice its upkeep is limited to battery replacement. The movement in this example has been checked by our watchmaker and is guaranteed for 1 year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this Seiko 5E21-5A50 water-resistant ?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Water resistance is never guaranteed on a vintage watch: the original gaskets have aged and the pressure on the case back is no longer what it was on day one. Avoid the shower, the pool and the sea. However, brief contact with rainwater does not present any difficulty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a 27mm rectangular case suitable for a man's wrist ?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, in a dress context. On a rectangular watch, it is the Lug-to-lug that matters: 31mm here, which places it on wrists measuring 14 to 18cm. The slim rectangular format was the norm for de ville watches in the 1980s and 1990s, designed to disappear under a cuff rather than fill the wrist. The 5.4mm thickness contributes to this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat year does this Seiko 5E21-5A50 date from ?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom December 1990. At Seiko, the serial number engraved on the back gives the production date: the first digit indicates the year, the second the month, the letter D corresponding to December. The digit zero refers to a year ending in zero; as the 5Exx caliber family only entered production at the end of the 1980s, 1990 is the only possible reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Seiko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54193027416401,"sku":"0D7857 5E21-5A50","price":1.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/8576\/2597\/files\/montre-seiko-tank-5e21-5a50-plaque-or-cadran-dore-sable-1990-atelier-victor-1.jpg?v=1783982410","url":"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/en\/products\/vintage-seiko-tank-watch-sandblasted-gold-dial-1990","provider":"Atelier Victor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}