One of the things I love about collecting Seiko watches is the incredible depth of the brand. It seems that there is something new around every corner and this latest discovery, although small in significance, is yet another surprise.
The watch in question is a Seiko Actus 7019-7060 from the 70’s with a usually boring silver dial that somehow fits this watch perfectly, and raises its profile to one of my favourites. But it is not the dial that surprised me here, it is the clasp (I said it was small in significance).
Somehow I missed this clasp feature when I purchased the watch. It arrived in very good cosmetic and running condition, so I didn’t need to do my usual dismantling and cleaning.
The watch went straight on my wrist and immediately endeared itself. I loved the perfect match of dial colour and stainless steel case, the original bracelet (?) fitted beautifully, and it just felt so comfortable on my small wrist.
In fact, it is one of the few watches I wear overnight. Usually watches are placed on the side table at night, either because they seem too tight (leather straps) or cut into the wrist (bracelets).
This bracelet had neither of those evils, and that is because it has a spring loaded, expanding clasp that moves with the wrist. I can’t believe I missed it. Although in fairness the only similar feature I can find in the Seiko literature belongs to Marinemaster dive watches and they are mechanically adjustable, not infinitely flexible.
I should point out that this not one of those full length flexible after market watch bands produced by manufacturers like Spiedel. The bracelet here is a standard multi-link Seiko bracelet and only the clasp extension gives the flex.
So, there you go. An expanding Seiko clasp is a small feature, but I can assure you it does wonders for comfort. The questions arise - is it an original Seiko feature or an aftermarket add-on? And why don’t we see more bracelets with this feature?
I am hoping others may be able to add to the story. In the meantime I will enjoy this truly delightful watch.
Greg Smith
PS - Unsure if this expanding bracelet was an OEM feature, I reached out to my compatriots in a Vintage Seiko Group to see if any body else had come across it. Two confirmed they had watches with the same expanding bracelet, including one who said he had owned his ACTUS since new.
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