Here's the 1st variety shown in an example from Fall 1964. Note the 2 logos on the dial, 1st - the "rotor" just below 12 o'clock, the 2nd is the "applique dial" logo over the 6 o'clock:







Here's the 2nd dial variety in an example from early 1965. Note that the 2 logos have been removed:








Sometime later [probably in 1966] the "Weekdater" label was also removed from the dial.


Movement, showing the "tadpole" style fine adjuster:





Randall is a big fan of this movement saying it was just slightly below the quality of the 624x series of automatic Grand Seiko [1st generation automatic]. This movement runs at 18,000bph and comes in 3 variants: A, B, and C. The "C" uses a "rack and pinion" style fine adjuster, like the 6216 and the 624x GS, instead of the "tadpole".


Caseback showing the center design of "SEIKO", whale, and King's crown:





Some of the later models had a plain center, probably because this design was very prone to wear. In addition, some models [that had a gold cap case] used the same center design as you see here, but in a "deep" or "high relief" treatment.


Side view:




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Seiko Matsuda
The Patron Saint of Seiko Collectors

Here's a pic of the rack & pinion fine adjuster found on the c variant, to compare with the 'tadpole' type of the a & b versions:



Sweephand

...I have since replaced that with the correct one, which is thinner and fits flush with the case.

Sweephand

I've seen fewer of this configuration around. It has the more conventional type day/date display [contiguous windows @ 3 o'clock] rather than the "split" configuration seen above in the -8971:


?t=1238733248


Here's the "B" movement shot:


?t=1238733409


Full watch shots on "beads of rice" bracelet [not sure if it's the original though]. Note the crown, it's NOT flush w/ the case side - it sticks out unlike on the -8971. I do believe this is correct since all other -8950's I've seen look the same:


?t=1238733483


?t=1238733940


Caseback shows this to be Feb. 1965 production:

?t=1238733610


If the caseback is indeed as "original", it's an example of the kind with NO caseback design on it like I've seen on some later (ca. 1966) -8971 models. The case code & other info is on the inside of the back:


?t=1238733755

===============================================


Seiko Matsuda
The Patron Saint of Seiko Collectors

Closeup:



Inside back:



Movement:




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Seiko Matsuda
The Patron Saint of Seiko Collectors