Seiko Bell-Matic

These days, we’re overly reliant on our devices for daily task alerts.

Phones, tablets, computers, and smartwatches all bombard us with frequent beeps and pings to remind us of our next appointment, or when it’s time to wake up from a mid-afternoon power nap. Sure, they’re convenient. But wouldn’t it be nice to shed our digital alerts for a while and return to a more analog way of doing things? In the past, 'alerts' could come in a vastly more engaging mechanical form, such as a mechanical alarm.

A mechanical alarm complication makes use of an extra mainspring barrel whose energy powers a hammer. At the appointed time, the hammer beats against a small gong, which sounds the alarm. Popularized by the Vulcain Cricket — the watch of many U.S. Presidents — variations on this system were subsequently used by numerous brands.

Seiko released its first alarm watch, the Bell-Matic, in 1966, offering an affordable, Japanese-made alternative to the Swiss classics. Given its automatic movement architecture, the crown is able to serve four functions; time-setting, alarm-setting, alarm-winding, and day setting, while a small button at 2 o’clock puts the watch into alarm-setting mode. Compact yet robust, this mechanical, stainless steel tool watch is worlds away from the digital distraction of your phone.

Housed in a 39mm, tonneau-shaped stainless steel case with a polished bezel, an unsigned crown, an alarm-setting button, and an acrylic crystal, it features a black dial with an outer, rotating alarm-setting disc, applied steel hour indices, a day-date display at 3 o’clock with a red day wheel, and a lumed ‘baton’ handset with an orange seconds hand. Highly legible with a pleasing color scheme, it’s powered by a robust, automatic Seiko movement. Paired to a stainless steel multi-link bracelet, it’s ready to provide many more decades of faithful service.

Use your phone for phone calls. Use the Bell-Matic for everything else!

For over 140 years, Seiko has been cranking out innovative and impeccably engineered watches at every price point, from entry-level Seiko 5s to world-class haute horlogerie pieces under the Grand Seiko brand. Underpinning the company’s efforts has been the mass production of reliable and accurate movements paired with a wide array of case and dial configurations.
Founded in 1881 by clockmaker and businessman Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo, Japan as “K. Hattori,” Seiko began importing Western timepieces and selling them in the local market. In 1892, Hattori changed the name of the firm to Seikosha (“house of exquisite workmanship”), which was further altered to “Seiko” in 1924. Following the Second World War, during which Seiko produced watches for the Japanese military, the company began its streak of innovations based upon affordable, in-house movements and Japanese savoir faire. These included myriad dive watches such as the famed 6105 and the fan-favorite 6139 chronograph.

Later, in 1969, Seiko would go on to produce the Astron, the world’s first quartz watch. This technological innovation was followed by the Seiko Kinetic in the 1980s, which married quartz accuracy with automatic, self-powering functionality. Today, Seiko’s product offerings are vast, including dress watches, dive watches, chronographs and much more, all of which are powered by in-house movements comprising different types of technology.

Despite a move toward luxury positioning and pricing in the brand’s modern offerings, vintage Seiko classics can still be had at incredibly reasonable prices today, making them a favorite entry point into the vintage watch world for myriad collectors. From their availability in post exchanges on military bases around the world to their fame from films such as Apocalypse Now to their presence at six Olympic Games, Seiko watches are deeply ingrained in the consciousness of the contemporary collector.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.