SEIKO "CHARIOT" WATCH 2220-3240 CA. 1974

Here we present a rare Seiko ref. 2220-3240, a dress watch produced by Seiko around 1974. It belongs to the Chariot collection, a line introduced in the late 1960s and designed to offer slim and elegant watches, highlighting Seiko's technical expertise in the field of hand-wound mechanical movements. At that time, the Japanese manufacturer was actively developing high-frequency calibers and exploring modern aesthetics influenced by industrial design and contemporary architecture.

This model is powered by the Seiko 2220A caliber, a manual-winding mechanical movement beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and featuring 17 jewels. This high frequency—often referred to as High Beat —provides greater stability and smoother timekeeping. The 2220 caliber is part of a generation of fine movements developed by Seiko for dress watches, combining precision, compactness, and reliability.

Reference 2220-3240 stands out with its cushion-shaped case made entirely of stainless steel, characteristic of early 1970s watch design. Its geometry is based on a square with softened corners, whose slightly curved sides create a silhouette that is both soft and structured. This architecture allows the bezel, dial, and crystal to be harmoniously integrated into a compact whole, where polished surfaces and continuous lines accentuate the perception of finesse on the wrist.

The dial echoes and extends this geometric logic. It features a composition structured around a slightly framed central square, creating a subtle visual transition with the cushion shape of the case. The surface is enlivened by an extremely fine grid texture, which captures the light and gives the dial a discreet depth. This micro-texture, common in Seiko designs of the 1970s, adds visual relief while maintaining a high degree of sobriety. The display is deliberately minimalist: just two hands, without a seconds hand, reinforcing the graphic purity of the whole and the dressy character of the model. The whole is protected by Hardlex glass, a reinforced mineral glass developed by Seiko, which is new and original here.

In this configuration, the watch is mounted on a very fine Milanese mesh bracelet in steel, whose dense and supple structure interacts with the texture of the dial. This combination creates visual continuity between the metal surfaces and reinforces the discreet elegance of the piece, while offering excellent comfort on the wrist.

A slim, modern dress watch combining mechanical precision, aesthetic refinement, and geometric consistency in the design of the case and dial. Rare.

Manufacturer: Seiko
Model: N/A
Reference: 2220-3240
Year: Circa 1974
Materials: Steel
Dimensions: Case width approx. 33 mm Height 32 mm 
Caliber: Mechanical Caliber, Seiko
Bracelet: Steel Width approx. 18 mm
Box/papers: No