Comments:
credit: @45gs_fan
Grand Seiko ref. 6186-8010T VFA
How cool is this one?
VFA, above the 6 o'clock index, means 'Very Fine Adjusted'. And the logo beneath is the one of the Suwa Seikosha facility.
As far as I've understood, the first number of the reference printed on the dial identifies the movement (6186) and the second the case design (8010).
Best.
credit: @45gs_fan
Seiko’s part numbers are a little complicated, I will try to explain.
The dial and case have separate part numbers. For this watch the case number is 6186-8000, and the dial is 6186-8010T. Very important to know that the part number includes all eight digits, the first four are the same as the movement but are no separate. So 9S65-00a0 and 6L35-00a0 have the same last four digits but totally different cases. There can also be extra letters after the case number which usually in a box or oval, which describe how the case is assembled.
These numbers can be the same, the first dial used on the 6186-8000 case was the short hands one: 6186-8000T. The long hands one case after so it’s 6186-8010T. Minor things variations, like dial color, or even different textures can share the same dial code. For example there over a dozen different presage dials with the part number “4R35-01N2 R 2”
There are also catalog reference numbers, like SKX013, which can vary for the same model between markets and have changed formats over time. These aren’t used for vintage Seikos but are the norm for modern watches.
These numbers can be the same, the first dial used on the 6186-8000 case was the short hands one: 6186-8000T. The long hands one case after so it’s 6186-8010T. Minor things variations, like dial color, or even different textures can share the same dial code. For example there over a dozen different presage dials with the part number “4R35-01N2 R 2”
There are also catalog reference numbers, like SKX013, which can vary for the same model between markets and have changed formats over time. These aren’t used for vintage Seikos but are the norm for modern watches.
Thank you: I knew there would be someone much more knowledgeable than I am.
So, can we say that there isn't a single reference for this specific model (just one for the case and the other for the dial)?
There were also catalog reference numbers
"6186 010" for silver dial with short hands, and "6186 024" for blue dial and long hands.
Cool GS !
I'd be happy to see a day-of-the-week display in kanji on some of the modern GSs.