Seiko - King Seiko Hi-Beat - 5626-7111 - Herren - 1972

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This exceptional timepiece represents a high-water mark in Japanese horology, embodying the rigorous standards and striking aesthetic language of the early 1970s. Crafted during a period of intense internal competition at Seiko, this piece demonstrates the meticulous attention to detail that defined the brand's premium offerings. With its highly architectural case design and advanced mechanical heart, it stands as a testament to an era when precision and design purity were paramount. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Reference Number: 5626-7111 Serial Number: 296079 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5626B Dial: Silbernes Sonnenstich-Zifferblatt mit aufgesetzten facettierten Indizes, außergewöhnlich sauberer Zustand, frei von Flecken oder Verschlechterung Case Size: 36 mm (ohne Krone) Case Material: Edelstahl Production Year: 1972 Condition: Hervorragender Vintage-Zustand mit makellos erhaltenem Zifferblatt und scharfem Gehäusegeometrie Dial and Hands The silver dial exhibits a brilliant sunburst texture that radiates beautifully under dynamic lighting. The typography is remarkably crisp and perfectly preserved, featuring the applied serif Seiko logo and the prominent applied KS emblem situated just above the Suwa factory symbol. The hour markers are heavily faceted, applied steel batons with distinct black central channel inserts, which are matched flawlessly by the sharp dauphine hands. These hands also feature black central stripes, providing exceptional contrast and legibility, while a slender black sweep seconds hand glides across the dial. A sharply framed day and date aperture rests at the three o'clock position, displaying a highly desirable Kanji and English day wheel. The dial condition is truly outstanding, remaining entirely free of spots, moisture marks, staining, print loss, or surface degradation, presenting a remarkably pristine and fresh visual experience for the collector. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case is a superb representation of Seiko's renowned Grammar of Design principles, characterized by flat surfaces and sharp, highly reflective angles. The transition between the brushed upper lug surfaces and the mirror-polished case flanks remains exceptionally well-defined, indicating a case that has been carefully preserved and retains its intended architectural strength. The watch is fitted with a crisp, correctly signed KS winding crown. The solid stainless steel caseback features the deeply engraved King Seiko medallion alongside crisp factory typography detailing the reference and serial numbers, all remaining fully legible. The crystal is clear and entirely free of any distracting scratches or blemishes, offering an unobstructed view of the flawless dial beneath. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko Caliber 5626B, a highly regarded automatic movement operating at a high-beat frequency. The movement presents beautifully in the provided close-up images, featuring clean plates, bright gears, and the signature Seiko signed rotor prominently displayed. The caliber markings and the 25 jewels designation are sharply engraved into the bridges, confirming the mechanical pedigree of the watch. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results indicate +7 to +10 s/day with strong amplitude. Strap The watch is paired with a handsome dark brown textured leather strap featuring white contrast stitching, complementing the sharp vintage aesthetic and silver dial perfectly. Condition This watch is in excellent vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally clean and well-preserved, standing out as a premium example with zero visible flaws or spotting. The case retains strong factory geometry with sharp facets and only honest, light signs of careful wear consistent with its age. The movement is clean, visually highly attractive, and running with outstanding precision. Dimensions Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown). Remarks The 56KS series represents the pinnacle of vintage Seiko manufacturing, blending highly capable movements with striking, historically significant case designs. Finding an example with such a flawless dial and sharp case lines is increasingly difficult, making this a prime acquisition for the discerning vintage collector seeking a pristine piece of Japanese horological history. History Introduced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the King Seiko line was born from the legendary internal rivalry between Seiko's Suwa and Daini factories, a competition that drove both facilities to produce some of the finest wristwatches in the world. The 56KS series utilized the advanced 5600 family of movements, celebrated for their slim profile, robust reliability, and high-beat precision. These watches were designed to compete directly with premium Swiss chronometers and remain highly respected by horological enthusiasts today for their enduring mechanical quality and timeless, culturally significant design language. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-KAX-0002