Seiko - Lord Matic Special - No reserve price - 5216-6050 - Men - 1974

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The 1970s marked a golden era of mechanical innovation for Seiko, defined by the fierce and legendary internal rivalry between the Suwa and Daini factories. Born from the esteemed Daini Seikosha division, the Lord Matic Special represents a tier of exceptional quality that bridged the gap between the standard Lord Matic and the prestigious King Seiko lines. Powered by the advanced 52-series caliber, a movement architecture so robust and well-engineered that Seiko would later resurrect it as the high-end 4S family in the 1990s, this timepiece is a testament to enduring Japanese horological mastery. It offers collectors a sophisticated blend of sharp grammar-of-design aesthetics and serious mechanical pedigree. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Special Reference Number: 5216-6050 Serial Number: 436767 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5216A, 23 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with applied faceted indices, exceptionally clean and well-preserved Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1974 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with sharp case geometry and a remarkably pristine dial Dial and Hands The dial of this Lord Matic Special is a masterclass in understated elegance, featuring a brilliant silver sunburst finish that plays beautifully with the light. The typography is crisp and perfectly preserved, with the printed "SEIKO AUTOMATIC" at the top and the prominent "LM SPECIAL 23 JEWELS" hovering above the iconic Daini Seikosha lightning bolt emblem at six o'clock. The dial furniture is exquisite, utilizing applied, faceted baton hour markers that feature black central inserts to enhance legibility. A finely stepped, gold-toned aperture frame houses the day and date complications at three o'clock, displaying a highly desirable dual-language English and Kanji day wheel. The original baton hands mirror the indices with matching black center stripes and remain in wonderful condition with only the slightest hints of age-appropriate oxidation. Crucially, the dial surface is exceptionally clean, showing no visible moisture marks, spotting, or edge wear, presenting a stunningly fresh appearance for a watch of its era. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case exemplifies Seiko's renowned design language of the period, featuring sharp, faceted lug profiles and a distinct separation between the brushed upper surfaces and the polished case flanks. The polished fixed bezel provides a brilliant frame for the dial. Visual inspection reveals honest, age-consistent wear, including light superficial hairline scratches and minor handling marks across the polished surfaces, yet the overall case geometry remains strong and well-defined without evidence of heavy over-polishing. The screw-down caseback is in excellent condition, with all factory engravings, including the Daini Seikosha logo, reference number 5216-6050, and serial number 436767, remaining deep and sharply legible. The crystal is clear and free of significant blemishes, providing an unobstructed view of the pristine dial beneath. Movement Powering this timepiece is the highly respected Daini Seikosha Caliber 5216A, a 23-jewel automatic movement known for its refined architecture and reliability. Close inspection of the movement reveals a clean aesthetic, with the rotor proudly stamped with "SEIKO," "JAPAN," "5216A," and "23 JEWELS" in vibrant red lettering. The movement components appear tidy, with no visible signs of moisture intrusion or excessive rotor wear. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. Timegrapher results show a performance of +48 to +52 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a handsome, period-correct styled blue leather strap featuring an alligator-grain texture and contrasting blue edge stitching. The strap is secured with a polished stainless steel pin buckle and complements the cool silver tones of the dial perfectly, offering a refined and comfortable presence on the wrist. Condition This Lord Matic Special survives in excellent vintage condition. The case retains its factory-intended lines with normal, honest signs of wear in the form of light surface scratches. The dial is the undeniable highlight, remaining incredibly crisp, clean, and free of the spotting or degradation often found in watches from this decade. It is a highly attractive and well-preserved example of Daini Seikosha craftsmanship. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks Finding a Lord Matic Special with such a pristine dial and sharp case lines is becoming increasingly difficult. The combination of the silver sunburst dial, the Kanji day wheel, and the historically significant 52-series movement makes this a highly compelling acquisition for both dedicated Seiko enthusiasts and collectors of fine vintage timepieces. History Introduced in the late 1960s and peaking in the 1970s, the Lord Matic line was a cornerstone of Seiko's catalog, aimed at the upwardly mobile professional. The "Special" designation was reserved for models equipped with higher-beat or more advanced movements, specifically the 52-series calibers developed by Daini Seikosha. These movements were incredibly sophisticated, featuring micro-regulators and a slim profile that allowed for elegant case designs. The engineering was so fundamentally sound that decades after the quartz crisis, Seiko utilized the 52-series architecture as the foundation for their premium mechanical revival in the 1990s with the acclaimed 4S caliber family. Owning a Lord Matic Special is owning the direct ancestor to some of Seiko's finest modern mechanical achievements. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-LXX-0007