Seiko - Lord Matic - No reserve price - 5606-7030 - Men - 1968

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage The Seiko Lord Matic represents a golden era of Japanese watchmaking, serving as a brilliant bridge between the brand’s standard automatic offerings and the prestigious King and Grand Seiko lines. Introduced in the late 1960s, the LM series brought sophisticated movements and refined case architectures to a broader audience, heavily influenced by Taro Tanaka’s famous Grammar of Design. This particular example perfectly encapsulates that mid-century aesthetic, offering collectors a beautifully proportioned dress watch that features the highly desirable dual-language Kanji and English day wheel, making it a quintessential piece of Seiko history. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Reference Number: 5606-7030 Serial Number: 840187 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 5606, 25 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices, presenting a very clean surface paired with a handset showing distinct age-consistent oxidation Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1968 Condition: Good vintage condition with well-preserved case geometry and honest patina on the hands Dial and Hands The dial of this Lord Matic is a study in refined simplicity, featuring a striking silver sunburst finish that catches the light beautifully from every angle. The dial furniture is fully applied, including the crisp Seiko logo, the Suwa Seikosha factory symbol, and the faceted baton hour markers which feature black central stripes for enhanced contrast. A framed day and date aperture sits cleanly at the three o'clock position, showcasing the highly sought-after Kanji and English day wheel. The dial surface itself remains exceptionally clean and well-preserved, free from heavy spotting or moisture damage. The original dauphine handset, matching the indices with black central inserts, displays distinct and noticeable dark oxidation and patina across the metallic surfaces. This aging provides a strong vintage character and stands as a testament to the authentic, untouched nature of the watch. Case and Crystal Crafted from stainless steel, the 36 millimeter case exhibits the sharp, angular lines and flat surfaces characteristic of Seiko’s premium design language from the late 1960s. The transition between the brushed upper lug surfaces and the polished case flanks remains well-defined, indicating that the watch has retained its factory geometry over the decades. The polished bezel frames the dial elegantly, sitting beneath a domed acrylic crystal that presents clearly with only faint, superficial handling marks visible under direct light. The solid screw-down caseback is fully intact and clearly displays its factory engravings, including the Seiko Water Proof designation, the reference number 5606-7030, and the serial number 840187. The case shows honest, age-consistent wear with light surface scratches throughout, presenting exactly as a respectfully worn vintage timepiece should. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko Caliber 5606, a sophisticated 25-jewel automatic movement that formed the backbone of the Lord Matic family. Known for its slim profile and reliable architecture, this caliber represents a significant technological achievement for Seiko during this era. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era, recording -40 to -46 seconds per day on the timegrapher. Strap The watch is fitted with a handsome black leather strap featuring a classic embossed grain pattern and contrasting white perimeter stitching. This combination perfectly complements the monochromatic silver dial and black dial accents, providing a comfortable and secure fit on the wrist while enhancing the versatile dress nature of the timepiece. Condition This Seiko is presented in good vintage condition. The case retains strong lines and attractive proportions, exhibiting normal surface wear and light scratches consistent with its age. The silver sunburst dial is remarkably clean and well-preserved, while the handset shows heavy, honest oxidation that adds distinct vintage charm. The crystal is clear, and the caseback engravings remain highly legible. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures a classic 36 mm in diameter, excluding the crown. This proportion offers a highly versatile and elegant presence on the wrist, perfectly suited for both formal and casual settings. Remarks Finding a Seiko Lord Matic with a crisp sunburst dial, sharp case lines, and the coveted Kanji day wheel is always a pleasure for vintage enthusiasts. The authentic aging on the handset provides a wonderful contrast to the pristine dial, offering a timepiece that is both historically significant and visually captivating. It is a superb representation of Seiko’s design mastery from the late 1960s. History Launched in 1968, the Lord Matic line was positioned directly below the King Seiko and Grand Seiko collections, sharing much of the same design DNA and mechanical sophistication. Built around the 5600 series of movements, the LM models were praised for their thin profiles and reliable automatic winding systems. They were among the first Seiko watches to heavily feature the Grammar of Design principles, bringing sharp, highly polished, and faceted cases to the discerning public. Today, the Lord Matic is celebrated by collectors as one of the best value propositions in vintage Japanese horology, offering premium aesthetics and robust mechanical performance. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-LXX-0029