Seiko - Lord Matic - No reserve price - 5606-5000 - Men - 1969

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The Seiko Lord Matic series represents a fascinating chapter in the golden era of Japanese watchmaking, offering collectors a perfect blend of sophisticated mechanical engineering and striking late-1960s design. This particular example captures the quintessential charm of the era with its distinctive square cushion case and moody dark dial. Positioned just below the elite King Seiko and Grand Seiko lines, the Lord Matic was designed for the discerning professional, featuring the robust and highly capable 5600 series movement from the legendary Suwa Seikosha factory. This timepiece is a wonderful representation of Seiko's mid-century aesthetic, offering robust daily wearability alongside genuine vintage character. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Reference Number: 5606-5000 Serial Number: 921602 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5606, 23 Jewels Dial: Dark grey sunburst with applied Roman numerals, showing visible surface spotting and hand oxidation Case Size: 31 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1969 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and distinct character Dial and Hands The dial features a captivating dark grey base finished with a subtle sunburst texture that radiates from the center pinion. It is adorned with elegant, applied silver-tone Roman numerals at the twelve, nine, and six o'clock positions, complemented by faceted baton indices for the remaining hours. The applied Seiko and LM logos sit proudly on the dial, along with the printed Lord Matic text and the iconic Suwa factory symbol. A framed day and date aperture is positioned at three o'clock, displaying the Saturday text in a crisp blue. Upon close inspection, the dial exhibits visible aging, characterized by scattered spotting and dust marks across the surface. The faceted sword hands show significant oxidation, patina, and surface wear, speaking to the authentic vintage journey of this timepiece. Case and Crystal The 31 millimeter stainless steel case features a classic square, TV-style cushion profile that wears with substantial presence on the wrist. The case displays fully polished surfaces on the bezel and flanks, transitioning smoothly into the short, integrated lugs. The watch is fitted with a raised acrylic crystal that shows light surface wear consistent with age. The case itself exhibits normal vintage wear, including surface scratches, handling marks, and slightly softened edges from years of use. The solid caseback remains in highly legible condition, with the crisp engravings of the Seiko logo, waterproof designation, reference number, and serial number clearly visible. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko Caliber 5606, a sophisticated 23-jewel automatic movement produced by the esteemed Suwa Seikosha facility. This caliber is celebrated for its reliability and smooth operation, serving as the foundational architecture for many of Seiko's higher-end models of the era. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results show a deviation of +12 to +16 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a handsome black leather strap featuring contrasting brown stitching along the edges. This strap beautifully complements the dark, moody tones of the dial and the vintage character of the case, securing comfortably to the wrist with a standard stainless steel pin buckle. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. It displays clear and honest signs of its age, most notably the localized spotting across the dial surface and the prominent oxidation on the hands. The stainless steel case shows expected handling marks and surface scratches, retaining a highly authentic and unpolished vintage aesthetic. It is a charismatic piece for the collector who values genuine patina and historical wear. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures 31 mm in diameter, excluding the crown. The square cushion geometry provides a distinct and comfortable footprint on the wrist, sitting with the elegance typical of late-1960s dress watches. Remarks This Seiko Lord Matic is a delightful expression of vintage Japanese design, combining an unusual case shape with a highly capable automatic movement. The visible aging on the dial and hands provides a unique visual signature, ensuring that no two examples of this reference will ever look exactly alike. It remains a highly wearable and conversation-starting addition to any vintage collection. History Introduced in 1968, the Seiko Lord Matic line was created to offer sophisticated mechanical watchmaking to the upwardly mobile professional. Utilizing the advanced 5600 series calibers developed by the Suwa factory, the LM series bridged the gap between Seiko's standard automatic offerings and the ultra-premium King Seiko range. The Lord Matic watches were celebrated for their diverse and often experimental case designs, high-quality dial furniture, and dependable performance. Today, they are cherished by collectors as accessible yet horologically significant pieces of Seiko's illustrious mid-century catalog. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-LLM-0001