Seiko - Lord Matic Special - No reserve price - 5206-6100 - Men - 1973

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage The 1970s represented an era of profound creative freedom and technical advancement for Japanese horology, beautifully encapsulated by this striking Seiko Lord Matic Special. Emerging from the legendary Daini Seikosha factory, the "Special" designation was reserved for timepieces equipped with higher-beat movements and superior finishing compared to the standard Lord Matic line. With its mesmerizing gradient dial and dramatic faceted crystal, this reference 5206-6100 is a quintessential example of Seiko's daring design language from the period, offering collectors a mechanically sophisticated and visually captivating piece of vintage watchmaking. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Special Reference Number: 5206-6100 Serial Number: 330485 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 5206A, 23 Jewels Dial: Gradient emerald green fumé with applied faceted indices, exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1973 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a beautifully preserved dial and sharp case lines Dial and Hands The visual centerpiece of this watch is its spectacular gradient emerald green dial, which transitions seamlessly from a vibrant, luminous center to a deep, near-black tone at the outer edges. The dial furniture is executed with tremendous attention to detail, featuring a gold-tone applied Seiko logo, a matching applied "LM" emblem, and the distinct Daini Seikosha lightning bolt printed cleanly above the six o'clock position. The typography is sharp, with crisp sans-serif text for "AUTOMATIC" and an elegant cursive script for "Special". The hour markers are heavily faceted, applied blocks with white central inserts, distinguished further by subtle gold-tone accents at the twelve, six, and nine o'clock positions. A sharply framed day-date window sits at three o'clock, displaying both English and Kanji characters. Crucially, the dial is in stunningly well-preserved condition, completely free of spotting, moisture damage, print loss, or discoloration. The silver-tone baton hands feature matching white central channels and present beautifully, showing only microscopic signs of age entirely consistent with the 1970s production era. Case and Crystal The 34 mm stainless steel case features a highly architectural, angular geometry that remains remarkably sharp. The lug profiles retain their crisp factory lines, highlighting a distinct transition between the brushed upper surfaces and the highly polished case flanks. The watch exhibits honest, age-consistent wear, including light hairline scratches and minor handling marks, but avoids the softened appearance of heavy polishing. The screw-down caseback is clearly engraved with the Daini logo, reference, and serial numbers. Protecting the dial is a period-defining faceted crystal, featuring sloping flat planes that catch the light from every angle. The crystal shows some minor edge wear, flea bites, and light surface scratches visible under harsh lighting, which is typical for these prominent, geometric designs, but it remains highly legible and visually impactful. The unsigned, knurled crown operates smoothly. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Daini Seikosha Caliber 5206A, a sophisticated 23-jewel automatic movement. Visual inspection of the movement reveals a very clean aesthetic, featuring attractive perlage finishing across the baseplate and crisp red-filled engravings on the winding rotor. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. The timegrapher records a deviation of -29 to -33 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a substantial black leather strap, characterized by distinctive, thick contrast stitching in alternating white and tan threads. The strap complements the bold 1970s aesthetic of the case and secures with a standard steel pin buckle. Condition This timepiece is presented in excellent vintage condition. The gradient green dial is the absolute standout, remaining exceptionally clean and perfectly preserved. The case retains strong, defined architectural lines with normal vintage wear, while the original engravings on the caseback remain deep and clearly legible. The faceted crystal exhibits acceptable edge wear that does not detract from the overall striking appearance of the watch. Dimensions Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks The Seiko Lord Matic Special represents a sweet spot in vintage Seiko collecting, offering the mechanical refinement of the 5200-series Daini movements combined with some of the most adventurous dial and case designs of the decade. The combination of the faceted crystal and the flawless green fumé dial makes this specific configuration highly desirable. History Introduced in 1968, the Lord Matic (LM) line was positioned just below the King Seiko and Grand Seiko collections, serving as a premium offering for the everyday professional. As the 1970s progressed, the internal rivalry between the Suwa and Daini factories spurred incredible innovation. Daini Seikosha introduced the "LM Special" series, upgrading the standard movements to higher beat rates and pushing the boundaries of aesthetic design. The Caliber 5200 series utilized in these models is historically significant, as its architecture was so robust and well-engineered that Seiko later revived and evolved it into the modern 4S movement family in the 1990s. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-LSJ-0004