Seiko Chariot 'Disco Volante'

The Space Age didn’t just put men on the moon; it reshaped design on Earth. Cars, furniture, architecture… and watches began to take on a certain orbital cool. This 1960s Seiko Chariot “Disco Volante” is a perfect artifact of that moment.

At 33mm with a 35mm lug-to-lug and a razor-thin 8mm profile, it wears like a polished steel coin on the wrist — slim, refined, and quietly futuristic. The flying saucer silhouette is pure mid-century optimism, capped by a domed acrylic crystal that enhances the watch’s smooth, glowing presence. The hammered bezel is the subtle twist: textured just enough to catch the light, adding dimension to an otherwise clean, architectural case.

The silver sunray dial reflects like brushed aluminum under studio lights. Minimal printed indices keep things disciplined, allowing the faceted bezel and sharp handset to do the talking. Even the original “nipple” crown remains crisp — a small but satisfying detail for those who notice.

Inside beats Seiko’s manually wound 21-jewel cal. 6660, proof that behind the playful form lies serious mechanical integrity. A simple glowing disk. Steel restraint. Space-age clarity.

A reminder that sometimes the coolest move is restraint, resulting in a watch that feels just as modern today as it did the day it debuted.

For over 140 years, Seiko has been cranking out innovative and impeccably engineered watches at every price point, from entry-level Seiko 5s to world-class haute horlogerie pieces under the Grand Seiko brand. Underpinning the company’s efforts has been the mass production of reliable, accurate movements, paired with a wide array of case and dial configurations.

Founded in 1881 by clockmaker and businessman Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo, Japan, as “K. Hattori,” Seiko began importing Western timepieces and selling them in the local market. In 1892, Hattori changed the firm's name to Seikosha (“house of exquisite workmanship”), which was later shortened to “Seiko” in 1924. Following the Second World War, during which Seiko produced watches for the Japanese military, the company began its streak of innovations based on affordable, in-house movements and Japanese savoir-faire. These included myriad dive watches such as the famed 6105 and the fan-favorite 6139 chronograph.

Later, in 1969, Seiko would produce the Astron, the world’s first quartz watch. This technological innovation was followed by the Seiko Kinetic in the 1980s, which combined quartz accuracy with automatic self-winding functionality. Today, Seiko’s product offerings are vast, including dress watches, dive watches, chronographs, and more, all powered by in-house movements that incorporate various technologies.

Despite a move toward luxury positioning and pricing in the brand’s modern offerings, vintage Seiko classics can still be had at incredibly reasonable prices today, making them a favorite entry point into the vintage watch world for myriad collectors. From their availability in post exchanges on military bases around the world to their fame from films such as Apocalypse Now to their presence at six Olympic Games, Seiko watches are deeply ingrained in the consciousness of the contemporary collector.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.