S. Epson Caliber VX43E Watch Movement

Manufacturer	Epson (Seiko Instruments Inc.)
Caliber Number	VX43, VX43E
Seiko Number	7N43
Movement Type	Quartz, battery operated
Display Type	Analog
Lignes	11.5”’
Diameter	25.6mm
Height	2.98mm
Jewels	0
Frequency	32,768 Hz
Battery Cell	SR920SW (371/373)
Battery Life	3 years
Accuracy Rating	+/- 20 seconds/month
Regulator	None
Stem	351177 (tap 10), also 351892 (tap 11)
Hand Sizes	1.1mm / 0.65mm / 0.2mm
Hand Count	3
Functions	Central hours; central minutes; central seconds; day of the week and date at 3:00 (or other locations depending on variation, see below)
Hacking Seconds?	Yes
Quickset Calendar?	Yes
Other Functions	Low battery indicator (EOL)
Country of Manufacture	Japan
Known Models	(Add your watch to the comments below…)

The Epson caliber VX43E (VX43) is a 3-hander quartz watch movement with a day/date calendar complication. Official tech docs for this caliber were found dated as recently as August 4, 2023, with original dates as far back as February 24, 2014.

Some of the topics covered in this caliber listing:

Seiko 7N43 VS VX43:

There is a similar Seiko caliber 7N43 that basically just a Seiko branded version of the Epson VX43 (Epson is a division of Seiko Time Corp). The 7N43 was introduced around 1993 and remained in production into the 2000s. Although the Seiko is available from watch parts sellers, the Epson VX43 tends to be sold wholesale at lower prices to parts sellers and other watch brands.

Whiles these movements are often considered by the community to be interchangeable, that should not be the automatic assumption. There are some interesting things to note based purely off of technical information provided by Seiko (not confirmed by real world testing):

	Epson VX43	Seiko 7N43
Trailing Letter	E (VX43E)	C (7N43C)
Height	2.98mm	2.78mm
Battery Life	3 years	5 years
Jewel Count	0	1
Accuracy Rating	+/- 20 sec/month	+/- 15 sec/month

Note: the difference in height could be due to Epson including the installed battery in the measurement. It is unconfirmed whether Seiko’s height quote is with or without the battery.

Other differences in specs are that the Epson documentation makes no mention of having the train wheel setting device or electronic circuit reset switch that the Seiko has.

VX43E Variations:

While the most common layout on the VX43E is the standard day/date at 3:00, there are several variations of the VX43 with regards to special calendar configurations:

VX43E14E

VX43E18C

VX43E22C

VX43E28M

VX43E12U

VX43E12D

VX43E1AA

VX43E11C

If you want to create a watch with one of these special designs, you should use the drawings in the tech sheets pdf (below) for the measurement guidelines.

There also appears to be a high-hand version for thicker dials: calibre VX43MH2.

Replacement Prices:

At the time of this caliber listing, cal. VX43 (with the standard day/date location) replacement prices were found online in the range of $5.26 to $15.99. To order a replacement movement check here.