Seiko - King Seiko Hi-Beat - No reserve price - 5625-7111 - Men - 1973

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage This exceptional King Seiko reference 5625-7111 perfectly encapsulates the golden era of Japanese watchmaking, a period defined by fierce internal competition and rapid technological advancement. Conceived under Taro Tanaka’s legendary Grammar of Design, the architecture of this timepiece relies on sharp angles, perfectly flat surfaces, and mirror-polished facets to interact brilliantly with light. Powered by a highly regarded Hi-Beat caliber, this King Seiko is a testament to the Suwa factory's dedication to precision and aesthetic mastery, offering collectors a remarkably preserved slice of horological history. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Hi-Beat Reference Number: 5625-7111 Serial Number: 341385 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5625B, 25 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied indices, exceptionally clean and well-preserved condition Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1973 Condition: Excellent vintage condition, retaining sharp case lines and a highly attractive dial Dial and Hands The dial is a masterclass in mid-century Japanese design, featuring a stunning silver sunburst finish that radiates outward from the center pin. It is in exceptionally clean condition, completely free of the spotting, staining, or moisture damage that often plagues vintage examples. The dial furniture is entirely applied, featuring sharply faceted baton indices with recessed black central channels that enhance legibility. The applied Seiko logo sits proudly below twelve o'clock, while the applied KS logo commands the lower half, accompanied by crisp black printing denoting the Hi-Beat movement and the iconic Suwa factory symbol. A framed, chamfered date aperture sits cleanly at the three o'clock position. The faceted dauphine hands mirror the indices with their own black central stripes. Upon close inspection, the metal surfaces of the hands exhibit minor, honest age-related oxidation, confirming their original vintage nature while remaining highly attractive. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case remains a brilliant execution of the Grammar of Design philosophy. The lug profiles are exceptionally sharp, retaining the vital factory chamfers and the distinct, crisp transitions between the flat brushed upper surfaces and the highly polished case flanks. While there are honest, light superficial scratches consistent with careful vintage wear, the case has not been subjected to heavy over-polishing, allowing the architectural integrity of the design to shine. The original KS-signed crown sits flush against the case side. The crystal is clear and well-preserved, offering an entirely distortion-free view of the pristine dial beneath, showing only minimal signs of handling. The solid stainless steel caseback is clearly engraved with all factory specifications and reference numbers, remaining fully legible. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko automatic caliber 5625B, a 25-jewel high-beat movement renowned for its accuracy and sophisticated engineering. The movement plates and the winding rotor display an attractive circular brushed finish. Close inspection reveals some light, age-consistent surface spotting on the rotor itself, which is entirely normal for a watch of this vintage and does not detract from its mechanical appeal. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. The timegrapher results reflect a performance of +35 to +40 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct dark brown leather strap featuring an elegant alligator grain pattern. The strap is finished with tonal dark brown stitching and a standard stainless steel pin buckle, perfectly complementing the dressy yet sharp aesthetic of the King Seiko case. Condition This watch is presented in excellent vintage condition. The dial is outstandingly preserved, standing as a prime collector-grade example with no visible damage or degradation. The case retains its factory sharpness with only light handling marks and superficial scratches, maintaining its true structural lines. The movement is clean, operational, and accurately represented by the timegrapher data. Dimensions Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Lug Width: 18 mm Remarks The King Seiko 56KS series offers an incredible value proposition for collectors seeking high-frequency movements and iconic Japanese case design. Finding an example with a dial as pristine as this, coupled with a case that retains its sharp factory geometry, is becoming increasingly difficult. It is a highly wearable, historically significant timepiece that commands respect in any serious collection. History The King Seiko line was born from the intense internal rivalry between the Suwa and Daini Seikosha factories, a competition that drove both facilities to achieve unprecedented levels of accuracy, finishing, and design. Introduced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the 56KS family represented the pinnacle of this era. By combining high-beat automatic calibers with Taro Tanaka's strict Grammar of Design principles, Seiko created watches that rivaled and often surpassed the best Swiss chronometers of the time. The 5625 reference remains one of the most beloved and identifiable silhouettes from this legendary chapter in watchmaking history. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-KAX-0001