Seiko - Lord Matic - No reserve price - 5606-7281 - Men - 1973

Available now on auction by Second Vintage This striking Seiko Lord Matic represents the bold creativity of 1970s Japanese watchmaking, featuring a mesmerizing gradient blue dial paired with a rare faceted crystal. The Lord Matic series was positioned as a high-grade offering, sitting comfortably between the everyday Seiko models and the prestigious King Seiko line, offering sophisticated movements and avant-garde designs. With its distinct "cut glass" crystal and vibrant fumé dial, this piece captures the light in a unique way, making it a true conversation starter for the vintage enthusiast. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Reference Number: 5606-7281 Serial Number: 377621 Movement: Automatic Cal. 5606 Dial: Gradient blue sunburst Case Size: 36 mm Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1973 Condition: Good vintage condition. The watch presents honest signs of age on the case and crystal while the dial remains vibrant and attractive, displaying reliable mechanics. Dial and Hands The dial is the centerpiece of this watch, featuring a stunning deep blue gradient that transitions from a lighter center to a dark navy perimeter. It is adorned with applied silver baton indices and the applied "SEIKO" and "LM" logos which stand out sharply against the sunburst finish. The hands are slender silver batons with luminous inserts that match the indices. A framed day-date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, featuring a bilingual day wheel with English and Kanji options, adding to its collectible appeal. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features the classic Lord Matic silhouette with sweeping lugs and a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The case shows visible scratches and signs of wear consistent with its age and use, maintaining an honest vintage character. The defining feature is the original faceted mineral crystal (cut glass), which adds depth and character to the dial. The crystal shows scratches and wear marks typical for this specific protruding design, yet it retains its distinct geometric profile. Movement Powering this timepiece is the high-grade Seiko Caliber 5606A, a 23-jewel automatic movement that was a workhorse of the era. The movement features hacking capabilities and a quickset day-date function. Timegrapher results indicate the watch is running between -18 and -24 seconds per day, which indicates a healthy movement running within vintage tolerances. Strap The watch comes fitted on its original Seiko LM stainless steel bracelet, complete with the signed LM folding clasp. The bracelet is comfortable and completes the authentic look of the piece, fitting a wrist size of approximately 17.5cm. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. The case and bracelet show surface scratches and wear that tell the story of its fifty-year history. The faceted crystal exhibits scratches and marks from use, which is common for this specific reference. However, the dial itself remains in excellent condition with no visible staining or damage, preserving the visual impact of the gradient finish. Dimensions The case measures 36 mm in diameter excluding the crown, offering a classic vintage fit that works well on a variety of wrist sizes. The lug-to-lug distance ensures a balanced presence, while the faceted crystal adds a slight increase to the profile height. Remarks This Seiko Lord Matic 5606-7281 is a fantastic example of the "Disco Volante" era of design, where Seiko experimented with bold textures and light-playing crystals. The combination of the blue fumé dial and the faceted glass makes this a highly photogenic and enjoyable watch to wear. It is a perfect entry point into the world of quirky, high-quality 1970s Japanese horology. History Introduced in 1968, the Lord Matic (LM) line was essential in solidifying Seiko's dominance in the automatic watch market. Utilizing the 5606 movement, which served as the base for many higher-end chronometers, the LM series offered exceptional quality and became a staple of the professional class in Japan. This specific model from July 1973 showcases the adventurous design language that Seiko adopted in the mid-70s, moving away from strict conservatism toward more expressive forms. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SLJ-0064