Seiko - King Seiko - No reserve price - J14102E - Men - 1962

Now available at auction from Second Vintage This sought-after First King Seiko, reference J14102E, represents a foundational chapter in Japanese horology. Produced in 1962, it features an impressive 14K gold filled case with a substantial 100-micron plating thickness and retains a beautifully preserved King Seiko shield medallion on the caseback. The attractive champagne sunburst dial, adorned with faceted applied indices, provides a striking visual presence that will appeal to dedicated collectors of early Japanese design. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Reference Number: J14102E Serial Number: 271163 Movement: Manual wind, 25 jewels Dial: Sunburst champagne with applied faceted gold-tone indices Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: 14K Gold Filled 100 Microns Production Year: 1962 Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: -20-27s/day, running strong and steady. Dial and Hands The watch features a sunburst champagne dial that has taken on a subtle pinkish hue over time. The surface displays an attractive vintage patina, with scattered spotting concentrated primarily around the edges, which does not detract from the crisp and highly legible printing. The applied faceted gold-tone indices show light oxidation, complementing the dial perfectly. The matching gold-tone dauphine hands exhibit visible surface oxidation and spotting consistent with the indices. No luminous material is present, maintaining the clean dress watch aesthetic. Case and Crystal The 34 mm case is constructed with an impressive 14K gold filling at a substantial 100 microns of thickness. It displays honest wear consistent with age, including visible plating loss on the high-friction lug edges and case flanks, along with moderate scratches and handling marks throughout. The thin gold-tone bezel also shows scratches, minor dings, and some plating wear along its edges. The unsigned knurled crown exhibits significant plating loss and wear to the knurling. Turning the watch over reveals a sought-after detail, as the gold King Seiko shield medallion on the caseback remains exceptionally well-preserved with clear, defined details. The domed acrylic crystal shows light surface scratches and scuffs visible under angled lighting. Movement Inside beats a visually clean 25-jewel manual wind movement. The plates and bridges display a bright finish, with no significant corrosion or damage visible. The movement engravings, including KING SEIKO, 25 JEWELS, and 150289, remain crisp and well-defined. The watch yields a timegrapher reading of -20-27s/day. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. Strap The watch is fitted with a black leather strap featuring contrast stitching and a standard gold-tone buckle. The strap shows light wear and presents as a complementary pairing in good wearable condition. Condition Good vintage condition. The 14K gold filled case exhibits moderate scratches, handling marks, and typical plating wear along the lug edges, flanks, and bezel. The caseback medallion remains beautifully preserved. The champagne sunburst dial and gold-tone dauphine hands display age-appropriate scattered spotting and light oxidation. The domed acrylic crystal has light surface scratches. The unsigned crown shows significant wear and plating loss. The movement is visually clean and, supported by the timegrapher reading of -20-27s/day, is performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. Dimensions Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks This early King Seiko reference J14102E is a sought-after piece for collectors of vintage Japanese horology. The beautifully preserved caseback medallion and the thick 100-micron gold filling make it a compelling find. History Introduced in the early 1960s, the First King Seiko was created by the Daini Seikosha facility as a direct internal competitor to the Suwa Seikosha-produced Grand Seiko. Designed to offer top-tier accuracy, elegant proportions, and refined finishing, the King Seiko line quickly established itself as a pinnacle of Japanese watchmaking. The reference J14102E represents the earliest execution of this sought-after series, characterized by its distinctive shield medallion and robust manual wind movement. These early models remain highly respected by enthusiasts for their historical importance and enduring mid-century design. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SKJ-0005