it was radically different from Seiko's original quartz watches, the Caliber 35 (the famous and ridiculously expensive "Astron") and the Caliber 38xx models. From what I understand, the 35 and 38xx watches were essentially the same technology, though the 38xx was likely streamlined and simplified a bit for mass-production. The crystal in the early calibers oscillated at only 16,384hz, while the Type IIs ran at the now standard 32,768hz. Despite this, the later calibers used much less power and had smaller, longer lasting batteries. There were many other differences between the later quartz calibers and Seiko's very early quartz offerings...so many that Seiko decided the "Type II" designation was necessary. If you look at the movement on a 1973 Caliber 3863A (below), you can see that it looks somewhat crude, much like the inside of an old transistor radio or a semi-mechanical watch like the EL-370. The gigantic silver tube with the red stripe that takes up nearly a third of the space under the caseback is actually THE QUARTZ CRYSTAL! Not so with the 75-series and other Type II movements...they look essentially like any modern quartz movement does. Truly a radical departure.
Oddly, the early quartz calibers seem to be much more accurate, though they presumably used simpler technology. The 3823A (called a V.F.A. by Seiko) is rated at 5 seconds a month, the later 0903A is rated at 15 seconds. So just think of the Type II designation as Seiko's way of saying "Quartz...Mark II. Not quite as accurate, but hey, you can actually AFFORD one now!"
I KNOW I have all this info in a manual somewhere. There are actually many major differences between the Type IIs and the earlier models, I just can't remember what they all are. ---Aaron
"I don't like stuff that sucks." - Butt-head
