Seiko - LM Special - No reserve price - 5216-7100 - Men - 1974

Now available at auction from Second Vintage This is a remarkable example of Seiko's design prowess from the mid-1970s featuring the highly desirable "Special" designation within the Lord Matic line. The Seiko LM Special was positioned as a high-grade offering, sitting comfortably above the standard models and utilizing the sophisticated 5200-series movement architecture. This specific reference is particularly collectible due to its stunning faceted crystal and sharp "Grammar of Design" case lines which capture the light beautifully. With its vertically brushed dial and high-quality construction, this timepiece represents a golden era of Japanese watchmaking where aesthetics and mechanical engineering were perfectly balanced. Brand: Seiko Model: LM Special Reference Number: 5216-7100 Serial Number: 491034 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5216A Dial: Silver vertically brushed Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1974 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a very well-preserved dial and sharp case lines. The crystal displays only minor signs of wear consistent with careful use, and the case retains strong edges with minimal polishing. All functions perform as expected. Dial and Hands The dial features a sophisticated vertical brushed texture that mimics the appearance of linen or raw silk, providing a dynamic interplay with light. It is adorned with raised, polished silver baton hour markers that feature black inlays for contrast. The applied "SEIKO" and gold-tone "LM" logos add a touch of luxury, while the printed "Special" and "25 JEWELS" text confirms the high-grade nature of the watch. A framed day-date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, featuring a bilingual day wheel with English and Kanji characters. The slender, polished hands are in excellent condition and complement the indices perfectly. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case is a standout feature, exhibiting the sharp edges and flat planes characteristic of Seiko's "Grammar of Design" philosophy. The lugs are faceted and slope elegantly, maintaining their definition well. A defining characteristic of this model is the original-style faceted cut glass crystal, which features angled edges that refract light in a captivating manner, adding depth and visual interest to the watch face. The screw-down caseback is engraved with the model specifications and the "WATER RESISTANT-G" marking. Movement Powering this timepiece is the highly regarded Seiko Caliber 5216A automatic movement. This 25-jewel movement is significant in Seiko's history as it belongs to the 52 stream, which later served as the foundation for the revived 4S high-end movements in the 1990s. The movement features hacking and hand-winding capabilities. The watch is currently running within vintage tolerances, with timegrapher results showing a rate between +20 and +29 seconds per day, which indicates a healthy movement. Strap The watch is fitted with a black leather strap featuring white contrast stitching and a patterned texture. The strap complements the monochrome aesthetic of the silver dial and steel case, offering a classic and versatile look suitable for both casual and formal wear. Condition This timepiece is in excellent vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally clean with no visible staining or damage. The case retains its original geometry with sharp edges, showing only minor surface scratches and handling marks consistent with its age. The faceted crystal is clear and creates the intended visual effect without distracting flaws. The movement is clean and the rotor spins freely. All day, date, and setting functions operate flawlessly. Dimensions The case measures 36 mm in diameter excluding the crown, which was the classic standard for gentlemen's watches of this era. The lug-to-lug distance provides a comfortable presence on the wrist, while the faceted crystal adds slightly to the profile height, giving the watch a substantial yet refined feel. Remarks The LM Special 5216-7100 is a testament to Seiko's ability to mass-produce high-quality mechanical watches that rivaled Swiss contemporaries. The combination of the high-beat capable movement architecture, the unique faceted crystal, and the textured dial makes this a "Special" watch in every sense of the word. It is a piece that offers tremendous value and historical significance for the discerning collector. History Introduced in the late 1960s and produced through the 1970s, the Lord Matic (LM) line was the mid-range automatic watch from Seiko, sitting just below the King Seiko and Grand Seiko. The "Special" designation was added to models containing the upgraded 5200 series movements, which were thinner and more refined than the standard 5600 series found in regular LMs. These movements were produced by the Daini Seikosha factory and are celebrated today for their durability and precision. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SLS-0045