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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Seiko Precision 15 Jewels Railway Issue Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch by Seiko dates to the 1950s and was issued for Japanese railway service. Housed in a chromed metal case measuring approximately 49.5 mm in diameter, it features a white dial with large stylized Arabic numerals, blued spade hands, and an outer minute track. A subsidiary seconds dial at six o'clock is inscribed 'SECOND SETTING DIAFLEX'. The caseback carries the engraved markings '私鉄 67 / 113', designating issue for a private railway operator. Inside, the watch is powered by a manual-wind Seikosha 15-jewel mechanical caliber with a striped finish and balance regulator.

Dial and case front of the Seiko Precision 15 Jewels open-face pocket watch
Dial and case front of the Seiko Precision 15 Jewels open-face pocket watch — Catawiki. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.catawiki.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Seiko
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
107532355
Source-reported date
1950-1959
Country
Japan
Source-reported serial
67 / 113

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Visual Presentation

The pocket watch displays an open-face configuration with a white dial fitted with bold, stylized Arabic hour numerals and blued spade hands. A subsidiary seconds subdial sits at the 6 o'clock position, marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second increments and printed with the text 'SECOND SETTING DIAFLEX'. The upper portion of the dial is signed 'SEIKO PRECISION 15 JEWELS'.

The listing notes minor surface spotting and light soiling across the dial surface. Direct visual observation records visible plating wear and minor chipping along the outer edge of the chromed bezel ring.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with bold, stylized Arabic hour numerals and blued spade hands.”
  • “Small seconds subdial located at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic numerals at ten-second increments.”
  • “Visible plating wear and minor chipping along the outer edge of the chromed bezel ring.”
  • “There is light soiling and minor age-related spotting visible across the dial surface, consistent with the watch's age and service history.”

Casing and Administrative Issue Markings

The timepiece is housed in a chromed base-metal case measuring approximately 49.5 mm in diameter, extending to 63 mm including the crown and 71.6 mm with the bow ring, with an overall weight of approximately 98 grams. The crystal is described as a domed glass type showing fine surface scratches and light hazing.

According to the listing description, the exterior caseback carries an engraved marking reading '私鉄 67 / 113'. The cataloguer associates this notation with an equipment issue for a private railway operator (私鉄, shitetsu), where 67 represents an issue number and 113 indicates a unit or lot.

Evidence for this section
  • “Total length including crown: approx. 63 mm”
  • “Total length including crown and ring: approx. 71.6 mm”
  • “Weight: approx. 98 g”
  • “The crystal is a domed glass type. It shows scattered fine surface scratches and some hazing consistent with age and use.”
  • “The caseback stamp 私鉄 67 / 113 indicates issue number 67, lot or unit 113, associated with a private railway operator (私鉄, shitetsu).”

Reported Movement and Technical Characteristics

The internal mechanism is reported in the listing text as a manual-winding mechanical movement bearing the 'SEIKOSHA' and '15 JEWELS' signatures on the plates. The cataloguer describes a finely striped mainplate, gold-toned wheels, jewels set in polished chatons, and a fast/slow regulator lever mounted on the balance cock.

The dial's 'DIAFLEX' inscription is noted by the seller as referencing Seiko's proprietary anti-shock hairspring system. The listing reports that the movement was checked running flat (dial up) after a full wind, though long-term positional timing and accuracy are explicitly not guaranteed.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is inscribed SEIKOSHA and 15 JEWELS. A fast/slow regulator lever is visible on the balance cock.”
  • “With the caseback opened, the Seikosha-signed movement is visible, finished with a finely striped mainplate, jewels set in polished chatons, and gold-toned wheels.”
  • “The DIAFLEX designation on the dial refers to Seiko's proprietary anti-shock hairspring system, a feature introduced to improve robustness in service use.”
  • “The watch was checked lying flat (dial up) after a full wind. This is a spot check at the time of listing; as a vintage mechanical watch the rate in actual wear varies with position and winding state, and long-term accuracy is not guaranteed.”

Open research questions

  • Which specific private railway operator (私鉄) does the caseback inventory mark '67 / 113' correspond to within Showa-era procurement archives?
  • Does the internal caliber plate carry an individual movement serial number to pinpoint its manufacture year beyond the broad 1950–1959 attribution?
  • Does the hacking or 'second setting' mechanism operate correctly via crown stop when viewed during physical operation?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Seiko Precision 15 Jewels Railway Issue Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial SignatureSEIKO PRECISION 15 JEWELS“signed SEIKO PRECISION 15 JEWELS on its white dial”
Seconds Subdial TextSECOND SETTING DIAFLEX“subsidiary seconds register at the lower portion of the dial inscribed SECOND SETTING DIAFLEX”
Caseback Issue Stamp私鉄 67 / 113“The caseback stamp 私鉄 67 / 113 indicates issue number 67, lot or unit 113”
Case Diameterapprox. 49.5 mm“Case diameter: approx. 49.5 mm”
Jewel Count15 jewels“Jewels: 15 jewels”
Total Length Including Crownapprox. 63 mm“Total length including crown: approx. 63 mm”
Total Length Including Crown and Ringapprox. 71.6 mm“Total length including crown and ring: approx. 71.6 mm”
Total Weightapprox. 98 g“Weight: approx. 98 g”
Crystal TypeDomed glass“The crystal is a domed glass type.”

Visible details

  • White dial with bold, stylized Arabic hour numerals and blued spade hands.
  • Small seconds subdial located at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic numerals at ten-second increments.
  • Visible plating wear and minor chipping along the outer edge of the chromed bezel ring.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and caseback stamp are described in the listing text but not visible in this primary photograph.
  • Timekeeping accuracy and water resistance are not guaranteed.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Seiko - Railway Issue Open Face Pocket Watch With Small Seconds - 1950-1959 - auction online Catawiki

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record dda04a51e4

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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