A rabbit hole that I’ve always loved delving down within the watch hobby is one of firsts––the trailblazers of horology that pioneered the use or creation of new functions, features, materials, etc. (especially when they’re pieces I can afford). I had always kept my eye on the market for when one of these A031 models popped up because, as I’m sure you’ve seen from the title already, this movement was Seiko’s first digital watch with an alarm function. I’m not one for actually utilizing the functions included in or on the watches I own, but that doesn’t mean I can’t or don’t appreciate their ingenuity; the same rings true (pun intended) for this watch. Besides being the first digital alarm Seiko, is 1977’s A031-5019 worth picking up for your collection? Let’s take a deep dive together.
The A031’s History, Aesthetics, and Functionality
As is custom for a lot of the watch models I have a fascination with, very little information is available regarding the A031’s creation and initial popularity on the market. Thankfully, however, my favorite database for digital timepieces, Rare Digital Watches, has a copy of the A031 Parts List and Technical Guide available for free on their website. I cannot recommend taking a look at these materials enough. I always hunt down physical or digital documents like this for Seiko pieces I pick up. Typically, another passionate hobbyist has taken the time to photocopy them and make them available for the public to admire, a small gesture that I’m sure a lot of you can appreciate just as much as I do.
Looking into the A031’s functionality, it’s a standard liquid crystal display that shows the time in a 24-hour format and either the day of the week or seconds with a press of the right front-facing button. To set the time and control the alarm function, the two front-facing buttons are used in tandem with the crown, a unique inclusion on a digital watch today but relatively common during this early phase of LCD watches. The crown can be pushed and pulled to operate different functions. The alarm can be programmed to go off every hour and/or ring at any designated time desired and set by the wearer. When I first heard the hourly charm go off on my A031, I genuinely thought the battery in my smoke detector across my apartment had begun to go bad––that’s how loud this thing is. Both innovative and incredibly functional to this day, it’s a movement that deserves its flowers and our attention.
Equally as timeless as its alarm function is the A031-5019’s overall looks. Constructed of an all-stainless-steel case and bracelet, it both runs and feels like a workhorse of a watch. With a 37mm diameter and thickness of only 12mm, it’s a great and slim wear. The chiclet bracelet is such a gem and truly completes the entire look when paired with the geometric case shape. Another selling point to many of these early digital timepieces is the strong contrast of the LCD screen if the watch was properly preserved and maintained throughout its life. The numbers jump out at you when you look down at them, and the shadows the digits cast on the screen’s backing are unrivaled to today’s digitals.
A Buying Guide for the A031-5019
If you’re tempted to pick one of these up like I was, I can try my best to help. Prices for this specific A031 model vary anywhere between $150-$400 depending on condition and if the original chiclet bracelet is included. There’s a gold tone variant of the 5019 that seems to be rarer, and there are other applications of the A031 like the -5010 and -5000 if the movement entices you but not this model. Pay close attention to the LCD screen for any evidence of bleeding or fade. While there are watch repairers out there that can work on LCD watches, they can be hard to come by and rather expensive. If you care about the A031’s main selling point, the alarm, make sure to ask if it’s fully functioning (and loud) before shelling out the cash for it. Lastly, while I highly recommend picking up the original bracelet, the case’s 20mm lugs allow for easy bracelet and strap swapping, so don’t stress too hard if the watch is placed on an aftermarket strap.
Thoughts on Vintage Digital
The last few years of my collecting journey has seen me develop a soft spot for these early digital watches. If you’ve ever handled a late 70s or early 80s LCD watch from Seiko, Casio, Bulova, or any other prominent brands from that era, you’ll know that they’re typically built incredibly well and feel far more substantial than their modern counterparts. While I’ve always appreciated the early LED watches, vintage LCD pieces didn’t initially pique my interest because, on the surface, I had always thought I could get the same timepiece today, brand new, for under $50. If you’ve had this same thought process as well, I highly encourage you to try out a vintage digital to appreciate how high quality these pieces feel.
The A031-5019 itself is a watch that marks a critical period in the history and development of horology, yet it wears that badge of honor in such an unassuming and understated way. If you’re looking for a gateway into the world of stainless-steel vintage digital watches, this could and should be a top choice. Now if only I remembered where I put the spare batteries for my smoke detector so that damn thing would stop…wait…never mind again.
Tommy Demauro
2025-11-03 15:00:00