Ricoh
Ricoh Special Crystal Automatic
A wonderfully funky 1970s Ricoh automatic with a blue gradient dial, TV case and classic day-date display.
- Movement
- Automatic mechanical, 21 jewels (exact caliber not confirmed)
- Current Market Value
- $100
- Year
- c. 1970s
- Case
- Stainless steel
- Size
- Not yet measured mm
- Condition
- Good
- Gender
- Men / Unisex
Condition
Good vintage condition. Visible age and wear to the case and crystal, with some deterioration and discoloration around the perimeter of the dial/crystal area. The blue gradient dial remains attractive and presents very well for its age. Mechanical condition to be confirmed.
A wonderfully 1970s Ricoh automatic, with the kind of design that makes the less obvious Japanese manufacturers from this period so interesting.
This Special Crystal combines a large TV-shaped stainless-steel case with a striking blue gradient dial, chunky applied markers and a framed day-date display at 3 o'clock. The warm amber-colored perimeter contrasts beautifully with the blue dial and gives the watch an unmistakably period look.
The dial is marked "Shockproof Special" and "Crystal," with a 21-jewel automatic movement inside. Ricoh was producing its own watches during this period, and its vintage mechanical models often show a much more adventurous approach to case and dial design than their relatively modest prices today might suggest.
It isn't an especially valuable vintage watch, but that's part of its appeal. The unusual case, excellent blue dial and very strong 1970s character make it far more interesting to me than its market value would indicate.
Reference: Unknown Crystal: Not confirmed Dial: Blue gradient dial with applied rectangular hour markers, central hours, minutes and seconds, and framed day-date display at 3 o'clock. Signed RICOH, Shockproof, Special, Crystal, 21 Jewels and Automatic. Functions: Hours, minutes and central seconds; Day; Date Bracelet: Stainless-steel bracelet (originality to be confirmed)