Seiko King Seiko Hi-Beat 5626-5010 (1971)

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage The King Seiko lineage represents a fascinating era of Japanese horology, characterized by fierce internal competition and a relentless pursuit of chronometric perfection. Produced during the golden age of Seiko’s mechanical watchmaking, the 56KS series stands out for its robust high-beat architecture and daring 1970s design language. This particular reference 5626-5010 captures the essence of that decade perfectly, combining a bold rectangular case profile with a dramatically faceted crystal that transforms the face of the watch with every movement of the wrist. It is a striking, architectural timepiece that offers collectors a blend of serious horological pedigree and unapologetic vintage style. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Hi-Beat Reference Number: 5626-5010 Serial Number: 182548 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5626 Dial: Silver brushed dial with applied indices, showing visible perimeter wear and edge patina Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1971 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and striking architectural presence Dial and Hands The dial presents a refined silver surface with a subtle vertical brushed texture that catches the light beautifully beneath the complex crystal. It is adorned with applied, polished baton indices featuring black central inserts for enhanced legibility, complemented by the applied Seiko and KS logos. A framed day-date aperture sits at the three o'clock position, showcasing a highly desirable Kanji and English day wheel. While the central portion of the dial remains clean and visually striking, careful inspection reveals distinct age-related patina, spotting, and finish wear along the extreme outer perimeter and corners where the dial meets the case interior. The polished dauphine hands are crisp and well-preserved, featuring matching black striping that ties the visual design together harmoniously alongside a slender, sweeping black seconds hand. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features a bold, rectangular television-screen profile that is emblematic of early 1970s Seiko design. The wide top and bottom lug hoods display a heavy, factory-style vertical brushing that contrasts sharply with the brightly polished case flanks. The lug profiles and case geometries remain sharp and well-defined, exhibiting honest signs of vintage wear, including superficial scratches and handling marks consistent with its age. The watch is crowned by a spectacular, highly faceted crystal that rises prominently above the bezel, featuring deep angular cuts that create dynamic visual distortions and reflections. The crystal is exceptionally clear, allowing the dial to be viewed through its unique geometric prism. A signed KS crown sits neatly against the case flank, while the polished solid caseback features crisp, legible factory engravings including the Suwa symbol and serial number. Movement Powering this timepiece is the esteemed Seiko caliber 5626, a sophisticated high-beat automatic movement renowned for its durability and precision. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results reflect a highly capable operational state, reading -15s to -19s/day. This advanced caliber remains a testament to Seiko’s engineering prowess during the 1970s. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct black textured leather strap, featuring a distinctive grain pattern and contrasting orange stitching that complements the vintage aesthetic. The strap is secured with a standard stainless steel pin buckle and shows light signs of handling, remaining supple and ready for regular wear. Condition This King Seiko survives in good vintage condition, presenting a highly attractive and characterful aesthetic. The case retains its sharp architectural lines and distinct brushed finishes, alongside expected superficial scratches from normal use. The faceted crystal is remarkably well-preserved, serving as the visual centerpiece of the watch. The dial shows attractive preservation in the center, with honest, visible aging and patina restricted to the outer edges and corners. Overall, it is a thoroughly honest and historically compelling example. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks Watches from the 56KS family are celebrated for their mechanical excellence, but examples featuring these complex faceted crystals offer an entirely different level of visual intrigue. The interplay of light across the geometric crystal and the brushed silver dial makes this a truly captivating piece on the wrist. It is an excellent opportunity to acquire a mechanically sophisticated and aesthetically daring piece of Seiko history. History The King Seiko brand was born from the legendary rivalry between Seiko’s Daini and Suwa manufacturing facilities, a competition that pushed the boundaries of Japanese watchmaking in the 1960s and 1970s. While King Seiko was originally the pride of the Daini factory, the 56KS series was developed by Suwa Seikosha, bringing their exceptional high-beat automatic technology to the King Seiko line. This era produced some of the most expressive and mechanically refined watches in Seiko’s archive. The reference 5626-5010, with its bold geometry and faceted crystal, perfectly encapsulates the experimental and confident design ethos of 1970s Japan, cementing its status as a highly collectible reference today. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SAK-0003