Seiko SIlverwave J12082 MARCH 1962

Seiko SilverWave J12082 | Cal. 603 | March 1962 | Early Seiko Diver DNA

Offered here is a rare and historically significant piece in the evolution of Seiko sports watches: the Seiko SilverWave J12082, powered by the manual-wind Caliber 603. With a serial number beginning 221xxxx, this example dates to March 1962, making it one of the early iterations of what would become Seiko’s foundational dive and sport watch architecture.

The J12082 was Seiko’s first watch with a rotating inner bezel, operated via a secondary crown at the 2 o’clock position—an innovation that predates the 62MAS and laid the groundwork for future Seiko divers. While not a professional dive watch by today’s standards, the SilverWave was built with water resistance and legibility in mind, marketed originally to swimmers and marine sportsmen.

The stainless steel case remains in honest condition, showing signs of wear consistent with age but preserving its elegant, mid-century lines. The dual crowns are present and functional, including the friction-rotating inner bezel. The caseback still displays the original Seiko tsunami wave logo, a design element that would later become iconic in Seiko’s dive watch lineage.

The dial is a subdued silver sunburst with applied indices and dauphine hands, maintaining excellent vintage character. The inner bezel ring remains legible, and the crystal is clear. The watch winds and sets properly; timekeeping is solid for a manual movement of this era.

Specifications:

• Model: Seiko SilverWave J12082

• Serial: 2212198 (March 1962)

• Movement: Seiko Caliber 603, manual wind

• Case Size: Approx. 37mm (excluding crown)

• Caseback: Screw-down, with embossed tsunami logo

• Bezel: Internal rotating bezel, operated by secondary crown at 2 o’clock

• Dial: Silver sunburst with applied markers and dauphine hands

• Crystal: Acrylic, original but grazed

• Strap: Supplied on period-appropriate leather

• The J12082 isn’t just an attractive vintage Seiko—it’s a milestone. With its dual-crown layout and sporty case design, it foreshadowed Seiko’s entry into the professional dive watch category. These seldom come up in clean, complete condition, and the collector attention around early Seiko sport references is only growing.