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Is this a dream mocking my radio/watch obsessions? Or does this vintage Seiko radio really exist? Not working, so I wouldn't buy it, but I had no idea Seiko was putting its name on radios. Here's another Seiko radio that doesn't work. Another has battery corrosion. Here's one in the original box.
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Seiko, Longines, Bulova, Elgin, many of the watch companies tried to get in on the transistor radio craze, I guess considering the small (by 1960's standards) devices to be a precision devices, like a watch. Many of the examples were quite nice, with some exceptions. I have a Bulova 880-series AM/SW radio from the early 1960's that I'm having re-capped, and tuned up. Very nice example. I'll send some pictures when I get it back.
Posted by: Neil Goldstein | August 19, 2013 at 08:11 AM
Bulova put their name on radios too----I think back in the 60s and early 70s. Other watch brands might have also done this. I think a couple of the Bulovas are considered to be decent little recievers and are collectibles.
Posted by: Angelo | August 19, 2013 at 08:11 AM
They look a bit crude compared to other Japanese radios of the time.
Posted by: Ulysses | August 19, 2013 at 09:29 AM
Ah, OK. RadioMuseum.org says: "Became popular as “Mini Master of Sound” in the 70s and was custom branded by many corporations (e.g. SEIKO) as a give-away." So, nothing to do with Seiko really. No doubt some bidders will be confused and assume this is some secret gem of a radio, expecting high quality Seiko engineering.
Posted by: Ulysses | August 19, 2013 at 09:37 AM
These were really, really bad radios. Mass produced under many names, some of them had the Seiko name on them, but not much, if anything to do with the watch company. They sold for $5 or so in the '70's.
Posted by: Mitch | August 19, 2013 at 03:20 PM
I have a 1960's Sony transistor radio on my desk in another state, it features a Seiko clock on the face. Very classy looking and keeps time well when wound, but it'll suck a 9V dry in a few hours: http://www.flickr.com/photos/transistor_radios/3604435371/
Posted by: StarHalo | August 19, 2013 at 03:28 PM
It's incredible to me that the Seiko name was licensed for a junkbox. The Bulovas were actually decent radios from what I've read about them. A few nice ones are on E-Bay now.
Posted by: Angelo | August 19, 2013 at 03:28 PM
Thanks, StarHalo. I'll post that later.
Posted by: herculodge | August 19, 2013 at 05:49 PM