[dapellegrini]

I've recently acquired several Bell-matics and my curiosity has again gotten the better of me. In an effort to sort parts mash-ups from original configurations, I have started to collect case back and dial data.

Having done this for the last year with the World Timers, I will say the Bell-matics are much more common. I have gathered over 400 watches with almost no effort (aside from the collecting part) - no searching sales threads from 10 years ago, or the darkest corners of google.co.jp.

With just the basic model and serial numbers cataloged, I am seeing some interesting trends that I thought I would share.

• The model numbers appear to have been released in order, so 7000's date back earlier than 7010's, the 6000's were released before the 6010's, then the 6020's and so on.
• It would appear that models ending in 1 and 2 are successive, replacing the prior - for instance the 4006-7000 seems to have been replaced by the 4006-7001 and then the 4006-7002 - so I don't think those are regional variants. This trend follows on all other models in the 4006 family
• Models ending in 4 or 6 appear to be SGP - so the successive thing seems to be for the 0's to 1's to 2's - stopping there.
• Models ending in 9 are the US Market versions

I've started a page that collates the data as I collect it here:

https://seikoworldtime.com/scanner/bellmatics

You can scroll it out for the charts showing production dates. All of the watches are also listed for cross checking any anomalies, etc.

Here are some charts from that page for those that don't like to click off the site:

 

[dapellegrini]

I'm curious if the models ending in 1 and 2 are also successive releases in other popular runs, like the 6139-6030, 6031 and 6032 for instance.

 

[Grammarofdesign]

EVERY Seiko collector needs at least one BellMatic !

Are you intending to add the date-only 4005s to this research ?

Will the 21 vs 27 Jewel Count be layered in ?

So you've seen this photo over on WristSushi, my three left to right:

4006-6089 Aug. 1976 (non-horseshoe back) Proper B243 bracelet (BIG thank you to @zeke441 for the perfect rebuild)
4006-6011 June 1971 (horseshoe case back) Proper B051 bracelet
4006-6059 March 1974 (non-horseshoe back) Proper B168 bracelet

 

[TheTigerUK]

At one time I had 100 plus Belles, great model.

 

[CombatID]

Fantastic work OP! Thank you for this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dapellegrini]

@Grammarofdesign Yes, I think I will fold in the 4005's - they are much harder to come by, so I have sort of set the aside in interest of getting a base line on the other models.

And I know the 7000's go back farther, into 1966, again rare models, so examples will take some digging.

@TheTigerUK - you make be feel better, I only have 12 so far, but I would like to pick up a 6020, like the one in your photo. There are some brown dial versions floating around, but I am not sure if those are entirely original.

I see it repeated frequently that models ending in 1 and 2 are for different markets - but I don't think that is the case for these 4006's - not sure if that spills out into other models, but would be interested to learn.

 

[TheTigerUK]

 

[dapellegrini]

Do you believe that last one is 100% original? Brown dial and brown bezel insert? I was going off this excellent article, and he doesn't mention this setup

BEYOND THE DIAL Seiko Bell-Matic – The Complete Guide

www.beyondthedial.com

He also doesn't mention a few other sub-models in the range, etc - so who knows. What I have learned rather quickly is just how many "original" parts mash-ups there are in the 4006 - where various watches will have bezels and dials from mixed in from other models

 

[TheTigerUK]

I do believe that brown one is original, I had a few brown ones but never really liked them.

But as you say because so many 4006 parts are interchangeable I think there was at times as many frankens about as there was originals

 

[Thesharkman]

Damn, not sure I need a thread like this..hehe. They always make my mind wander to the "what if I try just one" realm.

<* shark >>><

 

[Grammarofdesign]

Damn, not sure I need a thread like this..hehe. They always make my mind wander to the "what if I try just one" realm.

<* shark >>><

You simply MUST Larry if you want to keep your Vintage Seiko Collector Card.

 

[copan]

Thank you for your work.

Here is an 4006-6040 from 10/1972

 

[dapellegrini]

A few updates. First, I've added a dataset for the 4005's into the catalog - along with more data points - I think the date range accuracy for each model is pretty accurate now. You can see the 4005's as the 4th bar in the first chart on the page (pasted here for easy of use). That current dataset is 39 watches, and they all line up between June of 1968 and May of 1969 - for what looks like a 12 month run.

Follow this link for more detail: Bell-matic Research Page

Second, I've started a Google Doc for these Bell-matics (link below). I believe I have all of the 11 major models documented, with most (if not all) of original dial/bezel/handset combinations in there. My current tally is 62 different dials. If you see anything that is not correct, or if you have additional information to share that would help make this more accurate or complete - please do so. You can reply here, in the Google Doc (as a suggested edit) or PM me directly. I really appreciate the feedback.

Bellmatics

MECHANICAL ALARMS Vintage SEIKO BELL-MATIC WATCHES 1966-1978 AUTHOR Dan Pellegrini [email protected] DATES Created: July 26, 2022 Last Revised: March 12, 2023 CONTRIBUTORS Richard Askham John Burback Lee Harding TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction About this document An ...

docs.google.com

 

[teatimecrumpet]

Damn, not sure I need a thread like this..hehe. They always make my mind wander to the "what if I try just one" realm.

>QUOTE]How do you not even have 1???

Sent from my LE2117 using Tapatalk

 

[vc222]

Great documentation! I have traded many Bellmatics, now have only kept 4 . . .Thanks God there are still 2-3 watch repairers that still work on them. . .

 

[dapellegrini]

Thanks. In addition to the Google Doc, here is a Google Sheet with Service/Casing Guide data for each of these models:

Seiko Bell-matic Casing Guides

Sheet1 Case No,Ref No.,Material,Dial No,Glass,Crown,Winding Stem,Caseback Gasket,Crown Gasket,Crystal Gasket,Hour Hand,Minute Hand,Second Hand,Bezel,Push Pin,Casing Spring,Alarm Setting Wheel,Push Button,Push Button Gasket,Push Button Axel 4005-7000,SS WR,325T04ANS,55W06NS,354805,FH3120B,DJ0160B,--

docs.google.com

 

[Thesharkman]

Thanks for the work! For me, it's a love / hate relationship. LOL. I don't need more baubles to ogle. =)

<* shark >>><

 

[dapellegrini]

A curious note on Dial Codes with the Bell-matics - I believe they are a better indicator of the chronology of these watches than the model numbers... Based on the images I have collected - here are the 32 dial codes across the series:

When we sort by dial codes, it looks like this:

It was all very simple at first. Dial 7000T when with model 4006-7000. But as we get to the release of model 4006-7020, we see that dial codes 7010T, 7020T, 7030T, and 7040T are all spoken for so then the 4006-7020 starts out with dial 7050T.

You can see all of the rattling around in the grid above. It looks like finally things became linear again with 4006-6040 through the end of the series - but having run out of 60XXT dial codes we see them first go with 611LT, before finishing on 6100T.

 

[dapellegrini]

I am close to tapping out on the collecting side and refocusing on getting these fixed up... Here is where I am at right now:

Three more in the mail, and two more on the"auto buy when spotted" list...

 

[dapellegrini]

Let's go in order

Here is my Diashock / Dolphin 4006-7000 with 7000T dial:

These are my five 4006-7000's with 7070T dials in white, silver and black:

And here is a black dial 4006-7000 w/ 7000T dial next to a blue dial 4006-7001 with 7080T dial:

I have three 4006-701X's with 7010T dials in black and white:

And two Business Bells - 7040T dial in the 7010 case:

Next, my two 4006-7020 black and silver dial variants, dial code 7090T

I have four 4005-7000's:

I have two 4006-6000's - hoping to net one fully functioning - right now they are (super) dead.

The one on the right is on original bracelet - and what do you know the end links have the model on them - as if the disgusting human remains weren't enough to have already convinced me that this one is original

And I do have one 4006-601X w/ Blue dial

I have two 4006-602X's in amazing condition, including the elusive 27 jewel version!:

The 27 jewel version on the right is definitely on the right bracelet - because the end links are marked:

I have one 4006-6030 so far, and I found an original bracelet but with complete hack end links... so now I need end links - more likely another example of the watch with correct bracelet.&nbsp; This one is in good condition except the red on the bezel has faded from sun exposure

I have one of the flashy 4006-6040, w/integrated bracelet

Moving on, I have one of these super funky octogon case 4006-6050, w/ blue dia.&nbsp; The case has seen (way) better days - I think it has been polished to death - and needs professional help!

I also have one of the 4006-6060 - the one with blue dial (picking up on a theme yet?)

I actually have three of the 4006-6070's - a black dial arabic numeral version is in the mail.&nbsp; The white dial version is a hack job with the wrong hands and bracelet...&nbsp; The Blue dial version of this one is (again) my fav

And FINALLY, my 4006-6080 - in groovy turquoise color.&nbsp; Case is over polished, but otherwise a nice example on its integrated bracelet