Seiko 5, 7S26-8760, Men’s Automatic Vintage Watch, 1997

Seiko 5 1997 — First impression - 7S26-8760

The Seiko 5 7S26-8760 offers a vibrant display of late-1990s Japanese watchmaking, combining bold dial color with practical design. The stainless steel case is a rounded tonneau shape with a brushed top and polished bezel, giving it a mix of sport and dress appeal. The golden sunburst dial stands out with a unique diagonal stripe texture across the right side, adding a modern flair. Applied gold-tone indices, a clean printed minute track, and the Seiko 5 emblem at 12 o’clock balance its design. A functional day-date window at 3 o’clock ensures everyday practicality. Measuring 37.5 mm across and 42 mm lug-to-lug, it wears comfortably on a wide range of wrists.

Seiko 5 - Gold Sunburst Stripe Dial

The dial features a golden sunburst base that plays with the light, enhanced by a distinctive diagonal stripe pattern from 1 to 8 o’clock. Applied gold-tone hour markers include elongated triangles at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock, and teardrop-shaped markers with lume at the remaining positions. The printed minute track is fine and unobtrusive, while the day-date window, with black text on a white background, offers clear legibility.

7S26-8760 - Hands

The dauphine-style hour and minute hands are gold-toned with luminous inserts for visibility in low light. The central seconds hand is slender, also gold-toned, and provides a smooth sweep characteristic of the 21,600 vph beat rate of the Cal. 7S26.

Seiko 5 7S26-8760 - Rounded Tonneau Stainless Steel Case

The stainless steel case blends a brushed flat top surface with a polished rounded bezel for visual contrast. Its tonneau silhouette was a popular choice in Seiko’s late-1990s catalog, offering both ergonomic comfort and a contemporary look. The 37.5 mm case size strikes a balance between presence and subtlety, making it ideal for daily wear.

7S26-8760 - Crown

The recessed crown is positioned at 4 o’clock, following Seiko 5’s tradition for enhanced comfort and reduced snagging. It is unsigned, in keeping with the series’ functional design ethos, and allows for straightforward adjustment of time and calendar functions.

Seiko 5 1997 — Automatic Calibre 7S26, Japanese horology heritage

The Seiko 7S26 is a proven automatic movement featuring 21 jewels, a 3 Hz beat rate, and approximately 40 hours of power reserve. It is known for its robust, low-maintenance architecture, with a bi-directional winding rotor and Diashock protection. The absence of manual winding and hacking seconds reflects Seiko’s philosophy of building efficient, practical, and durable everyday timepieces. This calibre has powered millions of Seiko watches and remains a collector favorite for its reliability.

Seiko 5 1997 — Wearing Experience & Leather Strap

This example is paired with a modern black leather strap featuring a basketweave texture and yellow contrast stitching, complementing the golden dial. The strap enhances the watch’s sporty-dress versatility, while the 37.5 mm case size and short lug-to-lug length provide an ergonomic fit. The dial’s vibrant color and patterned finish ensure it remains the focal point on the wrist.

Heritage of the Seiko 5 in the 1990s Design Context

By the late 1990s, Seiko 5 had established itself as the go-to line for dependable, affordable automatic watches. The 7S26-8760 stands out from the era for its bold gold dial with a geometric stripe pattern—an aesthetic nod to contemporary Japanese design trends. Seiko’s focus on everyday functionality, combined with creative dial treatments, made these models popular both domestically and internationally, and today they represent a colorful niche in Seiko’s mechanical history.

Seiko 5 1997 — Condition, Originality, Warranty & Shipping worldwide

This watch is in used but well-preserved condition and has been fully serviced for reliable performance. All key components, including the dial, hands, and case, remain original to the reference. Offered with a 12-month warranty and available for worldwide shipping with secure packaging. For further inspiration, explore our curated selection of Seiko vintage watches with gold dials from the 1990s and men’s vintage watches with automatic movements.