Svelte Seiko F221

[abem]

Hi. A while back, I posted some photos of a Seiko F231, an "ultra thin" model from 1979:
http://www.dwf.nu/viewtopic.php?t=4506

I just got another little Seiko that I couldn't find any information about whatsoever, a Seiko F221-5000 (cost: $37). It's equally thin and the same size as the front face of the F231. It features the same LCD display with the gold micropyramid textured reflector. The front is mineral glass and the construction quality is typical Seiko.

Seiko's F221 (left) and F231 (right):


So, I just thought you might enjoy seeing this little gem. If anyone has any information about it, I'd be interested. The F231 was made in at least 3 different variations in both gold and silver. I have no idea if there were other variations of the F221.

-abe.

[Kasper]

Abe,

incredible find again, been looking for months to find one with the red
dial..still no succes. You must have a very good source.

damn Abe, you're the one who outbidded me on ebay

i try harder next time

[Seiko Kid]

Guys, if you into these F series and need parts let me know, I have quite a few here - Not a big F series fan myself

[Kasper]

if someone wants to sell the Seiko F231-5000
or another F231.

message me

[abem]

Sorry, Kaspar. I think we've all had the experience of waiting for months on a watch only to get outbid by a few dollars. I've botched quite a few lately, myself.

The red-faced F231-5000 also has a silver blue-faced sibling (which seems to be equally uncommon):
http://www.digitalwatchlibrary.com/DWL/ ... f231-500a/

If it makes you feel any better, I've missed out on about five D031's, some selling for as little as $60.

-abe.

[Seiko Kid]

Ebay - 150657033323 ???

[Seiko Kid]

I have a NOS F039 5010 case - no crystal if it will help any of you guys out?

[Kasper]

Ebay - 150657033323 ???

i didn't have a change to bet?

[bucko170]

It looks like it didn't sell so you might yet have a chance to bid. I would email the seller - you never know your luck, it has worked for me in the past

[Kasper]

how thin is thin?

got this one in today

Reflecta ..cannot find any info about this one.
but it's only 4.5 mm thick.
one button press cycles you through day + date then the month and back to time.
2 buttons press ..gets you the seconds.




just luv it ...so anyone an idea what the thinnest watch is??

[bucko170]

so anyone an idea what the thinnest watch is??

The Condord Delerium IV at under 1mm, check out Abe's site for more info;
http://www.timetrafficker.com/watches/l ... index.html

[Kasper]

wow..thats very nice..i must have missed that one on Abe's site.

BUT ..how thick is The Bulova Phantom?
Abe, how thick?

You can not wear The Concord Delerium IV.

Just incredible...i really miss that kind of watches.

a fast picture of the difference now and then.

[bucko170]

BUT ..how thick is The Bulova Phantom?

The information is contained within the description.

"At only 3mm thick, the Phantom was the thinnest watch in the world when it was introduced in 1979"

[Kasper]

I've read the whole part and missed it 3 times Thats why english is not my native language.

really a top 10 watch.

thx

[abem]

Kaspar,

I like that little Seiko. Did you just get that about a week ago? I saw one go super-cheap ($11) on you-know-where.

Around 1980, Seiko built a number of really nice small digitals, all around 5mm thick. The Phantom is a bit thinner at 3mm, but it's not super practical to go below that if you actually hope to wear it.

India is in a similar position to Switzerland 40 years ago where they are attempting to prove their technological might to the world to lure new business. A few years back (2002), one of the industrial giants of India, Titan Industries, came out with a model called the "Titan Edge" at about 3.5mm thick with a movement 1.15mm thick. They're not super pricey (around $150), so if you want an ultra-thin watch and you don't mind an analog face, this may be of interest:
http://micklem.com/watches/titan-large.jpg

I don't know of any decent modern digital "ultra-thin" watches. The Michael Young PXR-6/PXR-7 watches look pretty nice:
http://twistedtime.com/watch-brands/mic ... black.html

-abe.

[Kasper]

Yes a bargain Allmighty Abe sees everything

my wife loves the little seiko but i have to cut the metal to make it smaller and i don't like to do that....now she's a bit angry and has even more pre-contractions

i have all sort of watches..big, small etc ...i have small wrists so i don't like big watches.
The perfect watch for me is one where i could see the hour in the day without pressing a button (sorry leds) and has a light for at night when i slip out of my bed to grab a snack without disturbing the wife.
I never liked analogue watches so the titan edge is totally not my style.

I try to wear every new watch around a week so i could feel the thing. From my +-55 watches, i still have not find the perfect watch. The best so far are the MIB hamilton but i don't like the lcd and the omega tc1 led but i have to push the button
I personally think it's all about the weight and the smootness of the buttons towards your hands that makes a watch feel good in all conditions. And offcourse i must have style..imagine that bulova phantom just a little bigger and light and an alarm..and it would be mine

[bucko170]

....The perfect watch for me is one where i could see the hour in the day without pressing a button (sorry leds) and has a light for at night when i slip out of my bed to grab a snack without disturbing the wife.
I never liked analogue watches so the titan edge is totally not my style.

Is one of these your perfect watch Kasper?

Heuer Chronosplit.


Longines


Wittnauer.


Helbros.

[abem]

Ha. Too funny. My wife likes digitals too and I was going to bid on that little Seiko for her, but we have a spotty internet connection and it took that moment to flake out. I'm glad that it went to an excellent home.

That's interesting that you have a Pulse-O-Matic and you prefer the MIB.

Maybe we can help you find your "dream watch". So you're looking for something with:
1) an LCD display
2) a backlight
3) thin case, not to large
4) attractive styling

What about the Seiko D031?
The Seiko D031 is another great watch from around 1980 when most of the best LCD watches came out. It has a light, a cool display, and is a nice size (5mm thick). I like the fact that it's simple and the bezel isn't cluttered up with markings, and, of course, the scrolling dot matrix marquee style display. I haven't succeeded in landing one despite trying:
http://www.digitalwatchlibrary.com/DWL/ ... -d031-401a



Unfortunately, none of the ultra-thin models (Phantom, Seiko F231 etc.) have backlights due to space restrictions. I wonder if you could shoehorn in a few Tritium vials - they're only 1mm thick?

-abe.

[Kasper]

the longines is comming close...i'm not a round man..i like squared watches. But the problem is the styling here..look at the small gold bezel, just above longines...it stops under the lcd...big design fault. It's perfect round the led part. They had to engrave the word longines in the metal bezel above and put the lcd centered in the above part, Then we are talking.

Now you can smile but a perfect watch is like falling in love every time you look at it and offcourse you have to wear it for a week so you know how she feels

[Kasper]

Damn Abe, i'm getting nervous now..it just like you read my mind or maybe spying on me
i'm still waiting on this one to arrive at my door...your D031 took to long to find but i must admit..i really like the seiko aswell.



it's not seiko but hey...i've got one
from a known source as you could see.

the pulsomatic is way to heavy to wear ...look the watch is wearing me

[Ade51]

I too have been on the lookout for a D031 (missed one in the UK that went for £50 a couple of months ago)

I like the dot matrix style and the scrolling display. Are there any other watches with both dot matrix and scrolling ability? Does the Handok scroll?