Seiko SilverWave 6306 automatic 1976-78

The Seiko SilverWave range is a quite wide range of “waterproof” watches, introduced in ca 1964 with the Sportsmatic and Seikomatic Silverwave (discontinued in 1965). Ten years later, Seiko relaunched the Silverwave, based on the 6306 calibre and the 5 Actus range. That new SilverWave was available in only two different cases (8000 & 8010), with an evoluting white, blue or brown dial. This SilverWave was also available with a 7546 quartz movement.

Presentation

The design of the 70s automatic SilverWave featured a quite big stainless steel case, a flat glass crystal, a SS bracelet and a screwed crown at 4 o’clock. The look and feel of the the watch is modern, reaching the standards of today.

The dial & hands

The dial evolved during the 3 years of production. It first had the “5 Actus” logo below the Seiko logo on it, then only “Actus” and finally the Seiko logo remained alone, only SilverWave was mentioned on the lower half of the dial.
The dials could be white (matte, vertical brushing or houndstooth pattern), electric blue (houndstooth pattern), matte deep blue and chocolate brown (houndstooth pattern).
The hour markers were all the same, represented by thin batons, either with a strip of black paint (on white dials) or a strip of white paint (on blue dials).
The hands are dauphine-typed, with a strip of black or white paint (like the hour markers)
The day and date window is located at 3 o’clock.
Finally, an inner bezel surrounds the dial, printed with 5-minutes increments.

8000T reference

5 Actus logo
Houndstooth pattern
Blue, brown or white

8001S reference

Actus logo
matte vertically brushed pattern
Deep blue or white

8002S reference

Seiko logo only
matte paint
Blue or white

8002T reference

Seiko logo only
Houndstooth pattern
Blue or white

The case and bracelet

Two cases were available, the 8000 with lugs and the 8010 which ends straightly, hiding the first link of the bracelet. Their dimensions are the same, 38 mm in diametre, 42 mm in height. Both have a brushed face (circular brushing for the 8000, vertical for the 8010), the sides and the bezel are shiny.
The crystal is a hardlex, maintained between the bezel and a metal ring. The screwed crown is located at 4 o’clock.
The bracelet has oyster-like links, the clasp is “Seiko Actus” signed.
Finally, the case back is screwed and has the traditional SilverWave double wave embossed, and the watch’s characteristics.

The movement

The Seiko 6306 movement is inherited from the 61xx movements and shares many parts with them.
It has 21 jewels and beats at 21,600 bph. It can’t be hand wound but has the hacking second feature. It displays the day (in English and Kanji) and the date.
This movement family is reliable, easy to maintain and parts are common on the market.

The quartz version

I just wanted to write a few words on the quartz version, which is very close to the automatic one and can be an interesting alternative. As you can see on the picture, the model looks very similar to the 6306. The bracelet is however different, with smaller links. The dial was available in white or black.
The SilverWave quartz was later declined in many many different version, with an analogic display, a LCD display or even an ana-digi display. They were generally smaller and thinner and didn’t look as solid as this 7546.

In conclusion

This Seiko SilverWave doesn’t look very vintage, its design seems to have been created to last forever. It’s robust, reliable and can be worn on a daily basis without fearing any problem. Among all, I find the houndtooth patterned blue dial absolutely eye-catching.