The Grand Seiko 6146-8000, released around 1968, features Japan’s first automatic movement beating at 36,000bph and belongs to the rare early dial 61GS family, produced for only about two years (1967–1968). Distinguished by the absence of “Automatic” under the Seiko logo and “Grand Seiko” instead of “Hi-Beat 36000” under the GS logo, these early variants are especially collectible due to their limited production run.
The First Japanese Automatic Movement Beating at 36000bph: Grand Seiko 6146-8000 circa 1968 “Rare” Early Dial 61GS Family. If our observations are correct, the Early Dial variant was produce for approx 2 years (1967-1968) Indicators: The early variant 6146-8000 sets itself apart from the later variant with the absence of the “Automatic” printing beneath the Seiko logo and “Grand Seiko” instead of “Hi-Beat 36000” under the GS logo. Given the much shorter production run of these early pieces, these are more collectible than the later hibeat dial variants.
