Introduction
Founded in 1960 with the sole intention of challenging the idea that Swiss watchmaking was the be-all and end-all of the watchmaking industry, Grand Seiko has endeavored to create some of the most technically astute and wonderfully crafted timepieces possible. Launched in 1966, Grand Seiko came out with their own certification, "Grand Seiko Standard." With a daily deviation of between -3/+5 seconds, it was more accurate than Swiss chronometer testing, which was -1/+10 seconds per day. Following this new standard, two even more accurate standards were created, which Grand Seiko decided to bring to life by launching the VFA collection (Very Finely Adjusted) in 1967. Created under highly rigorous conditions and regulated to within -2/+2 seconds per day, these watches were blisteringly accurate for their time and even came with the guarantee of accuracy to within a minute a month for the first two years of ownership - extremely impressive even by today's standards. An important piece of Grand Seiko's original mission, these VFA timepieces are extremely rare on account of their short three-year production run and relatively lengthy life causing them to be lost to the sands of time.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
V 9
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch and box
Est. value range
$15,000 – $25,000
The Details
Brand
Grand Seiko
Dimensions
37mm
Model
VFA
Movement
Hi-Beat (36,000 bph) Automatic cal. 6186B
Reference
6186-8000-G
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
Circa 1972
Condition
Near-Mint
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch and inner and outer box
Dial Color
Silver
THE DIAL
Featuring an immaculate sunburst silver dial with tall applied hour markers and a framed day and date aperture, the VFA's display brings a real sense of three-dimensionality to the timepiece.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Featuring a polished finised across all of its surfaces, the VFA's angular case and faceted sides combine with its silver dial to create a wonderfully monochromatic aesthetic that is hard to take your eyes off.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall near-mint vintage condition. The steel case retains its vertical brushed finish to the front, with some light surface scratches and small nicks visible along the edges. The case back shows surface scratches and nicks, while the engravings remain fully legible. The dial and hands remain near mint. It is fitted with a Phillips strap and a Seiko steel buckle, both remaining in excellent condition. Comes complete with inner and outer boxes. Watch was previously sold at Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XIII, where it set a record for this model, realizing CHF 44,100.
Our Perspective
Perhaps one of Grand Seiko's most historically significant watches, the VFA demonstrated the Japanese watchmaker's determination to challenge the Swiss status quo and create objectively better watches than the Swiss were for far less money - still a pillar of the brand's modern mission.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
