Seiko Bell-Matic, 1973

The Bell-Matic was the only Asian-designed mechanical alarm wristwatch (Citizen made an alarm, but it was based on the hand-wound Swiss Schild movements). These were available in 17-, 21-, and 27-jewel versions; curiously, the 21-jewel is the most desireable, as it was produced in much smaller quantities. Like some higher-end alarms, the alarm hammer of the Bell-Matic strikes on a dedicated gong, resulting in a more pleasing sound than the usual pin-riveted-to-caseback arrangement - not as lovely as the JLC Master Reveil, for instance, but far nicer that the "farting squirrel" noise of many of its competitors.