Seiko - Lord Matic Special - No reserve price - 5206-6061 - Men - 1972

Now available at auction from Second Vintage This is a remarkable example of the Seiko Lord Matic Special, a timepiece that represents a high point in Seiko’s mid-tier luxury offerings from the 1970s. Distinguished by the "Special" designation on the dial, this model features the highly regarded 5200-series movement, which is historically significant as the foundation for Seiko’s later high-end 4S calibers. With its sharp case lines, pristine sunburst dial, and hi-beat automatic movement, this watch offers a sophisticated blend of dress watch elegance and robust engineering, making it a coveted piece for serious collectors of Japanese horology. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Special Reference Number: 5206-6061 Serial Number: 295450 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5206 Dial: Silver Sunburst Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1972 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with minimal signs of wear and a clean dial, indicating a well-preserved history. Dial and Hands The watch features a stunning silver sunburst dial that catches the light beautifully, remaining in exceptional condition with no visible staining or damage. It is adorned with sleek, applied steel baton indices featuring black inlays for superior legibility. The handset is original, showing a gentle and uniform patina on the luminous material that matches the lume plots on the dial. The dial proudly displays the applied "SEIKO" and "LM" logos, along with the "Special" script and the Daini Seikosha lightning bolt emblem. A framed day-date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, featuring a bilingual day wheel with English and Kanji characters, adding to its collectible appeal. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case is well-preserved, retaining its original geometry and sharp lines characteristic of Seiko's design language from this era. The surfaces show a mix of brushed and polished finishes, presenting only light handling marks consistent with careful usage. The bezel remains crisp, and the lugs are defined without signs of over-polishing. The screw-down caseback is in excellent condition, with all engravings—including the reference number, serial number, and Seiko logos—remaining deep and clearly legible. The crystal is clear and presents well, offering an unobstructed view of the dial. Movement Powering this timepiece is the impressive Seiko Caliber 5206A, a 23-jewel automatic movement. This "Special" grade movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and is renowned for its durability and precision. The movement presents cleanly, with the rotor and bridges showing no signs of corrosion. It is currently running within vintage tolerances, with timegrapher readings between +8 and +19 seconds per day, which indicates a healthy movement offering reliable vintage performance. Strap The watch is fitted with a high-quality blue leather strap featuring an alligator grain pattern and matching blue stitching. The strap is supple and comfortable, secured by a polished silver-tone buckle that complements the steel case perfectly. The deep blue tone of the leather provides a striking contrast against the silver dial, enhancing the overall dressy aesthetic of the watch. Condition This timepiece is in excellent vintage condition. The dial is virtually flawless, which is a significant highlight for a watch of this age. The case shows honest, minor wear but retains its architectural integrity. The movement is clean and functioning well within expected parameters for a vintage mechanical watch. Dimensions The case measures 36 mm in diameter excluding the crown, a classic and versatile size that sits elegantly on the wrist. The lug-to-lug distance ensures a comfortable fit for a variety of wrist sizes, while the profile remains slim enough to slide easily under a dress shirt cuff. Remarks The Lord Matic Special is often considered a "sleeper" in the vintage Seiko market, offering build quality and movement architecture that rivals the higher-tier King Seiko and Grand Seiko models of the same period. The combination of the 5206 hi-beat movement and the preserved condition of this specific example makes it a standout lot. It is a watch that can be worn daily or kept as a pristine example in a curated collection. History Introduced in 1968, the Lord Matic (LM) line was positioned just below King Seiko, designed to offer high-quality automatic watches to the upwardly mobile professional. The "Special" line was introduced later to bridge the gap even further, utilizing upgraded movements like the 5206 found in this example. These movements were so well-engineered that Seiko resurrected the design architecture in the 1990s for their prestigious 4S movement series, cementing the 5206's legacy as one of the finest mass-produced calibers in Seiko's history. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SLX-0033