Seiko - Lord Matic 煌帝 (Kōtei) – Radiant Emperor - No reserve price - 5606-7080 - Men - 1969

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage This Seiko Lord Matic represents a quintessential era of Japanese watchmaking from the late 1960s, combining the famous "Grammar of Design" case lines with high-grade mechanical engineering. Positioned just below the King Seiko and Grand Seiko lines during its production, the Lord Matic series offered exceptional quality and finishing. This specific example features the desirable "one-piece" monocoque case design, accessed through the crystal, which allowed for a slimmer profile and better water resistance for its time. With its classic silver sunburst dial and robust automatic movement, this timepiece is a perfect entry point into collecting significant vintage Seikos. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Reference Number: 5606-7080 Serial Number: 962711 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5606 Dial: Silver Sunburst Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1969 Condition: Good vintage condition. The watch shows honest signs of wear and handling marks on the case consistent with its age, while the dial remains well-preserved and attractive. Dial and Hands The watch features a sophisticated silver sunburst dial that catches the light beautifully. It is adorned with applied baton hour markers featuring black inlays which match the design of the dauphine-style hands, ensuring excellent legibility. The dial is signed with the applied polished Seiko logo and the Lord Matic designation in crisp black print, along with the Suwa Seikosha factory symbol above six o'clock. A framed day-date window is positioned at three o'clock, with the Sunday text displayed in a striking red font. The overall dial condition is excellent with very minimal signs of aging. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case utilizes a front-loading monocoque construction, engraved "Open Thru Glass" on the back, which is a hallmark of this reference. The case profile remains strong with defined lines, though it exhibits visible surface scratches and contact marks on the bezel and lugs commensurate with a watch of this vintage. The caseback engravings, including the "Waterproof" designation (indicating early production) and the serial number, are deep and clearly legible. The crystal is clear and presents well, allowing for an unobstructed view of the dial. Movement Powering this timepiece is the highly regarded Caliber 5606 automatic movement, a 23-jewel workhorse known for its reliability and precision during this era. This movement features hacking capabilities and a quickset mechanism for the day and date. The watch is currently functioning well, with timegrapher testing showing a deviation between +17 and +25 seconds per day, which indicates healthy movement performance for a vintage piece. Strap The watch is fitted with a black leather strap featuring contrasting white and brown stitching. The strap is in very good condition and complements the casual yet sporty nature of the steel case, making it ready for immediate wear. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. While the case shows clear evidence of use with various scratches and marks typical of a watch from 1969, the dial remains in impressive condition, retaining its original luster. The movement is clean and running within acceptable vintage tolerances as noted by the timegrapher results. Dimensions With a case diameter of 36 mm excluding the crown, the watch offers a classic mid-size fit that sits comfortably on a variety of wrist sizes. The lug-to-lug length and the slim profile provided by the monocoque case design ensure it slides easily under a shirt cuff while retaining significant wrist presence. Remarks This reference 5606-7080 is particularly collectible due to the "Waterproof" marking on the caseback, which Seiko replaced with "Water Resistant" in later production years, confirming its production in the late 1960s. The combination of the monocoque case and the reliable 5600-series movement makes this a robust and historically interesting choice for the enthusiast. History Introduced in 1968, the Lord Matic line was a significant step forward for Seiko, bringing high-beat automatics and superior finishing to a wider audience. The 5606 movement inside this watch became one of Seiko's most ubiquitous and successful automatic calibers, serving as the base for many high-end models. This specific piece, dating to June 1969, captures the essence of the golden age of mechanical watchmaking in Japan.