1960s Seiko Goldfeather | Swirl Dial

The Seiko GoldFeather, released in 1960 (Showa 35), is a remarkable piece of horological history that combines elegant design with innovative engineering.

Key Features:

1. Ultra-thin design: With a movement thickness of just 2.95mm, the GoldFeather lives up to its name, being "as light as a feather" on the wrist.
2. Innovative movement: Featuring a completely new movement design that repositions the gears away from the center, allowing for its exceptionally thin profile.
3. Gold-plated case: a thicker layer of gold compared to standard gold electroplating
4. Snap-back case: Easy access to the movement is provided by a convenient snap-back case design.
5. Unique dial design: The watch face features a rare spiral / swirl finish, adding a distinctive touch to its appearance.
6. Engraved indices: each hour marker is intricately engraved demonstrating the high level of craftsmanship by Seiko at the time

The Seiko GoldFeather was developed in response to the highly successful Citizen Deluxe, which was positioned as "Japan's thinnest high-end domestic model." Seiko's engineers tackled the challenge of creating an ultra-thin watch by upgrading the traditional center-seconds movement design.

In standard movements, the overlapping gears at the center (where the minute and second hands are attached to the same axis) make it difficult to reduce thickness. The GoldFeather's offsets these gears to achieve its remarkably thin profile while maintaining accuracy and reliability.