The Seiko Sportsman range (ca 1960-1970)

*These informations were gathered through my own experience, from watches I actually had in hands. They only reflect what I observed.* Updated April 2023.
Text & Pictures : D. Broglin – Watch & Vintage

The Seiko Sportsman range has been introduced in ca 1960 as the Seiko entry range. All models had hand wound movements, with or without date. The first years, their design was quite classical and elegant. From ca 1964, a more sporty design has been introduced based on the Seiko 6602 date movement and with bigger cases. Its history and evolution is quite quite similar than the ones from the Seiko Champion range.

The first years

From 1960 to 1963, the Sportsman range proposed elegant models, with thin cases, made of stainless steel or gold plated brass. The cases were named according the Jxxxxx pattern. The movement was the time-only Seikosha 436 (which will be renamed in Seiko 66)

From 1964 to 1970

In ca 1964, Seiko slighlty modified the range and all models got the 6602 movement with date display. The stainless steel cases were abandoned to the profit of chromed brass. The gold plating was available too. The dials could be white, silvered, champagne or black.