Introduction
Launched in 1983, the Seiko Voice Note M516-4009 captures an extraordinary moment when digital watchmaking was moving rapidly beyond simply displaying the time. Alongside its LCD timekeeping, alarm, stopwatch, calendar, illumination and hourly chime functions, the Voice Note incorporated something genuinely remarkable for a wristwatch of the period: solid-state voice recording. Using 16K of memory, it could record and play back short voice messages of either four or eight seconds, with dedicated record and playback controls positioned prominently beneath the display.
Its place in popular culture was secured almost immediately. The M516-4009 appeared on the wrists of the Ghostbusters in the original 1984 film, where the watches formed part of the team's equipment and were used in connection with recording Electronic Voice Phenomena. That association has transformed an already fascinating piece of early-1980s Seiko technology into a cult collectable. Combining stainless steel with black composite components and an integrated bracelet, its angular, technical appearance could hardly have been better suited to the film. Finding one accompanied by its original boxes, warranty booklet and papers makes this a great find!
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 9
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box, warranty, booklet and two hangtags
Est. value range
$1,000 – $2,000
The Details
Brand
Seiko
Dimensions
36mm x 37mm
Model
Voice Note “Ghostbusters”
Movement
Quartz
Reference
M516-4009
Bracelet
Black composite bracelet
Year
Circa 1983
Condition
Near Mint
Material
Stainless steel and composite
Included
Box, warranty, booklet and two hangtags
Dial Color
Black LCD display
THE DISPLAY
The LCD display provides the conventional digital functions expected of an advanced Seiko of the period, including time, day and date, stopwatch, alarm, illumination and hourly chime. What distinguishes the M516-4009 are the dedicated record and playback controls immediately beneath it, providing access to the watch's remarkable solid-state voice-recording function.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The angular case combines stainless steel with black composite components to create the highly technical appearance characteristic of Seiko's more experimental early-1980s digital watches. The integrated black bracelet continues the design seamlessly around the wrist, while the prominent controls make the recording functionality an integral part of the watch's appearance rather than a hidden novelty.
THE MOVEMENT
The quartz-powered M516 module combines digital timekeeping with electronic voice recording and playback. Using 16K of solid-state memory, the watch could store a short voice recording of either four or eight seconds – an extraordinarily ambitious function for a commercially available wristwatch introduced in 1983.
Condition
Watch is in overall near mint condition. The case shows signs of light wear, with some wear to the screw heads on the case back. , with slight wear visible to the case back screws from battery changes. Comes with the original inner and outer boxes, warranty card, booklet and two hangtags.
Our Perspective
The Ghostbusters connection would make the M516-4009 collectable even without its technological significance, but the underlying watch is arguably the more interesting story. Seiko put a solid-state voice recorder on the wrist in 1983, years before portable digital recording became commonplace. Add its unmistakable period design, cinematic provenance as a model and unusually comprehensive presentation, and this is one of the most entertaining intersections of Seiko innovation and 1980s popular culture.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
