Seiko 5 Sportsmatic Deluxe 7619-7010 1965-1966

The Sportsmatic range has been introduced by Seiko in the early 60’s. It was the lower automatic range from the japanese manufacturer at that time.
In 1963, Seiko introduced the Seiko 5 Sportsmatic range, an affordable yet qualitative automatic watch, with day and date display. The Deluxe version was an enhanced version of this model, with an all stainless steel case, a date quickset and applied elements such as the “5” logo.

in 1965, Seiko launched the Seiko 5 Sportsmatic Deluxe 7619-7010, a model with quite numerous variants and which became very popular :
– at least 3 distinct dials (ref. 7010, 7020, 7030) available in different tones (silver, white, black.
– at least 2 distinct inner bezels
– the 7010 case available in steel or gold plated (with matching hands and hour markers).

Presentation

The design of this Sportsmatic Deluxe is very classical with a 38 mm round case, quite long lugs, a wide dial, an inner bezel and an acrylic crystal held by an outer pressed bezel. The crown is almost not noticeable at first sight and is located at 4 o’clock. This architecture was common in the 60’s, at least in the production of Seiko.
The black variation in particular is nowadays sought after and quite spectacular, I have to say.

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The dial & hands

Three different dials were available, the 7010, 7020 and 7030. The differences between them are quite minor, the “5” logo can be placed over or below the Seiko word, in the top half of the dial, Seiko Sportsmatic can be written on a single line or on two lines.
The hour markers are made of thin metal batons, the 12 o’clock one is wider. The writings refer to the range, the model, the jewelling and at the very bottom to the movement reference (7619) and the dial reference.
The hands are of plain Dauphine type.
The day and date windows is at 3 o’clock with a chromed frame. The day could be printed in English or more rarely in japanese Kanji, Saturday is in blue, Sunday in red.
Finally, the dial is surrounded by a metal bezel. The most common one has a kind of coin edge pattern and a minute scale.

The case

The all stainless steel case wears the 7010 reference. The case back is pressed. The crown is small, positionned at 4 o’clock and is almost not visible, as it was the case on most automatic Seikos from the 60’s.
On the back we can find the elements found on most of the Seikos, the dolphin, the brand, the case material (SS), the references of the calibre and case, the water proof mention and the serial number of the watch.
On the inner face of the back, once again the calibre and case references. The acrylic crystal is pressed on the case and held by the outer bezel (which is pressed too). This outer bezel can be a simple ring or an engraved ring.

The movement

This Sportsmatic is fitted with the usual Seiko 7619 movement. It is reliable and easy to service and maintain. It hasn’t any known weakness, excepted that it can’t be hand wound.
The date has a quickset but not the day.

Some examples

In conclusion

This 7619-7010 is the most popular 5 Sportsmatic Deluxe, especially in its black version. The white or silver ones are very attractive too and in the end, they sum up very well what Seiko was able to achieve in the mid 60’s in matter of affordable watch.