Seiko World Time Owner Review : Beautiful, rare and completed

Some watches define a collection. Others define a watchmaking career. And then there are those that define an entire brand. The Seiko World Time reference 6217-7000, produced for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, undoubtedly belongs to this last category. It's not just a watch: it's one of the founding symbols of Seiko's entry onto the world watchmaking stage. I bought this World Time a few years ago now, in an almost natural progression after acquiring another major piece from 1964. Just two weeks after buying my first Seiko monopusher chronograph—you can find a detailed review of it on my profile—I came across this World Time. The link between the two watches was obvious: same year, same historical context, same industrial ambition. Again, it was love at first sight. I've been a Seiko collector for a long time. I've owned many, and I've sold many too. Over time, your tastes become more refined, you become more selective. And some watches reach a new level: they're no longer just acquisitions, but become centerpieces, the ones you keep and won't sell. This Seiko World Time 6217-7000 clearly falls into this category. It holds a special, almost sentimental, importance in my collection. Historically, this watch is pivotal. In 1964, Seiko wasn't yet the global giant it would later become, but the Japanese brand was already driven by a clear ambition: to prove it could compete with the major Swiss manufacturers in terms of precision, reliability, and innovation. The Tokyo Olympic Games provided an exceptional showcase. Seiko was the official timekeeper and took the opportunity to present the world with watches that were technical, modern, and resolutely international in scope. The World Time perfectly embodies this vision. The reference 6217-7000 is the very first generation of the Seiko World Time. Seiko would go on to produce several more—four generations in total, if I remember correctly—but this one is the original, the pioneer, and in my opinion, the most interesting. I've owned every World Time model from the brand. Today, this is the only one I've decided to keep. I have another one as well, but I rarely wear it. This one is special. Technically, the watch is based on an automatic caliber to which Seiko added a supplementary module for the GMT hand. This module is similar to the one used at the time on some dive watches, but here it's dedicated to displaying the second time zone. It's an uncommon movement, relatively rare, and especially expensive to find replacement parts for. Paradoxically, the watch itself remains relatively affordable compared to other iconic timepieces of the era, making it a particularly interesting piece for discerning collectors. My watch is in perfect working order today, but its journey to this state wasn't immediate. I left it in a drawer for almost a year after buying it. Not for lack of parts, but because I didn't yet have the necessary technical skills to properly complete the overhaul and reassembly of the GMT module. I preferred to wait, learn, and improve, rather than force things. Once the watch was serviced, the pleasure was all the greater. Aesthetically, this World Time is in very good condition, even though, once again, I haven't polished it. I like to keep my watches in their original condition, with their history, as long as it doesn't affect the legibility or the mechanics. On the case back, you'll find the Olympic flame, a powerful symbol of that era. This is also the well-known weak point of these models: the engraving tends to wear off over time. That's why you'll see a small plastic protector in the photos. It's there solely to preserve this engraving, which has become rare on well-maintained examples. The inscriptions of different cities on the bezel and dial give this watch an almost educational dimension. It invites travel, openness, and a vision of the modern world—exactly what Seiko sought to convey in 1964. And this is undoubtedly what makes it so fascinating even today, even for those with little interest in watchmaking. I've observed this on numerous occasions: even when faced with extremely prestigious watches—Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, or other very high-end pieces—this Seiko never goes unnoticed. It attracts attention, sparks curiosity, and ignites conversation. I wear it quite often, despite its relative fragility, with great pleasure and always a certain pride. For me, it represents the very essence of Seiko: a brand capable of creating technically intelligent, historically significant, and aesthetically striking watches, without ever resorting to ostentation. I sincerely encourage collectors reading this review to take a close look at this Seiko World Time 6217-7000. It's well worth considering. Its price remains reasonable given its significance, and fine examples are becoming increasingly difficult to find. I acquired mine on Le Bon Coin (a French online marketplace), from the same collector from whom I bought my previous watch, at a price I now consider very fair. It's a watch I cherish and protect, and it has become one of the cornerstones of my Seiko collection. A historic, endearing, and truly timeless timepiece.