Seiko Bell-Matic automatic alarm wristwatch (ref. 4006-7011)

Jewelry

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

Seiko Bell-Matic automatic alarm wristwatch (ref. 4006-7011)

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.225

Description

Men's stainless steel automatic alarm wristwatch on a stainless steel folded-link bracelet. Cushion/barrel-form case. Silvered dial with applied faceted baton markers and applied "SEIKO" logo; day/date aperture at 3 o'clock with a Spanish-language day disc (showing "SAB" / sábado, "23"); printed "BELL-MATIC / 17 JEWELS" above 6 o'clock and "JAPAN 4006-70…" at the base. Fluted inner alarm bezel ring. Winding/setting crown at 3 o'clock; an alarm pusher at 2 o'clock is standard for the type (inferred — not clearly visible). Bracelet clasp signed "SEIKO."

Item Type

Watch

Use

Sold by the government in 1973 to doctors. Purchased by Leopoldo Arús Gálvez.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, Leopoldo Arús Gálvez collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Source (if not Accessioned)

Leopoldo Arús Gálvez

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Seiko

Date made

1969 - 1974

Time Period

1970s

Place

Country

Japan

Continent

Asia

Edition

Seiko

Notes

Date: Purchased 26 December 1973 (per accompanying receipt, Record 2) — in range. Movement (cal. 4006, 17 jewels) consistent with early-1970s production; caseback serial 279167 cited on the receipt suggests circa July 1972 manufacture (tentative — based on Seiko's serial convention, not independently verified).

Mark, Engraving or Stamp

Notes

Dial — "SEIKO"; "BELL-MATIC"; "17 JEWELS"; "JAPAN 4006-70…" (case ref. 4006-7011 per receipt). Clasp — "SEIKO." Caseback serial 279167.

Dimensions

Circumference

23 cm

Accessories

Accessory

Instruction manual

Accessory

sales receipt

Material

Metal

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Leopoldo Arús Gálvez

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

Purchase

Place

Country

Japan

Continent

Asia

Notes

Production

Research Notes

Notes

Seiko Bell-Matic — the world's first automatic wristwatch with an integrated mechanical alarm (introduced 1966, produced to 1978). Caliber 4006A is the automatic day/date alarm movement, made in 27-, 21-, and 17-jewel versions (17-jewel from circa 1969). Dial here shows 17 jewels; case ref. 4006-7011 per the receipt.

Notes

Spanish day wheel (SAB) is consistent with a watch supplied to a Spanish-speaking market.

Notes

Documents the purchase of the watch in Record 1 — model A7011 (case ref. 4006-7011), caliber 4006, serial 279167, 100.00 pesos, buyer Dr. Leopoldo Aruz Gálvez (affiliated with a Havana hospital), retailer "El Trianón," Havana, 26 December 1973. Cuban cash sales invoice (factura-contado) with warranty, "Comercio Interior — Factura-Contado," No. 403971 A, completed in blue ballpoint. Includes a "Garantía" section and a detachable "Comprobante de venta de contado" stub at the foot. Maker: Issued by a Cuban state retail unit under Comercio Interior (Ministry of Internal Commerce); retail unit named "El Trianón." Date: 26 December 1973. Inscriptions/Marks: Printed: "COMERCIO INTERIOR / FACTURA - CONTADO / Nº 403971 A"; warranty text; form codes "520-4-11-0763" and "73165-50.0 B-2." Handwritten: UNIDAD "El Trianón"; CLIENTE "Dr. Leopoldo Aruz Gálvez"; DIRECCIÓN "Hosp. Siq. Hab." (Hospital Siquiátrico de La Habana); date 26/12/73; ARTÍCULO "1 Reloj Seiko CHB" — Importe 100.00 (pesos); MODELO "A7011 - Cal 4006"; SERIE "279167"; repair referral "MINSAP"; vendor and "recibí conforme" signatures.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

March 31, 2022

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 14, 2026