Seiko - King Seiko - No reserve price - 5626-7000 - Men - 1971

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This distinguished timepiece represents a fascinating chapter in Japanese horological history, hailing from the fiercely competitive era between Seiko’s Daini and Suwa factories. The King Seiko line was conceived to push the boundaries of precision and design, resulting in watches that rivaled the finest Swiss chronometers of their day. With its high-frequency movement and sharp, architectural case lines, this 56KS variant perfectly encapsulates the golden age of vintage Seiko, offering collectors a mechanically sophisticated and historically significant artifact. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Reference Number: 5626-7000 Serial Number: 170092 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5626 Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied gold-tone indices, showing visible spotting and localized aging marks on the left hemisphere Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold Plated (SGP) over Stainless Steel Production Year: 1971 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest case wear and visible dial patina Dial and Hands The watch features a classic silver sunburst dial that exhibits clear, honest signs of its vintage age. Applied gold-tone faceted hour markers are detailed with central black stripes, creating a striking contrast that is mirrored by the sharp gold-tone dauphine hands. The applied serif "SEIKO" and "KS" logos add depth to the dial, while the "AUTOMATIC" and "HI-BEAT" text, along with the Suwa factory symbol, are cleanly printed in sans-serif typography. A framed day-date aperture at the three o'clock position displays both Kanji and English days. Condition-wise, the dial displays noticeable spotting, discoloration, and moisture marks, primarily concentrated along the left hemisphere between the seven and ten o'clock positions. The hands show age-consistent oxidation and mild surface wear across their gold finishes. Case and Crystal The 36mm case is executed in Seiko Gold Plated (SGP) over a stainless steel base, utilizing a robust front-loading architecture. The case retains the iconic King Seiko grammar of design, featuring faceted lugs and a commanding presence on the wrist. The gold plating exhibits significant honest wear, with the base metal clearly exposed along the sharpest lug contours, bezel edges, and case flanks. Scratches, handling marks, and softening of the original factory lines are visible throughout, reflecting decades of regular use. The original KS-signed crown is present but shows heavy wear and darkened patina deep within its knurling. Turning the watch over reveals the highly prized gold KS medallion set into the caseback, which remains proudly intact and wonderfully preserved against the surrounding surface scratches of the steel back. A clear crystal protects the dial, showing only minor vintage wear. Movement Powering this timepiece is the celebrated King Seiko Caliber 5626, an automatic Hi-Beat movement produced by the Suwa Seikosha factory. Known for its sophisticated engineering and high-frequency precision, this caliber was a cornerstone of Seiko's top-tier offerings in the early 1970s. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. The timegrapher indicates a performance of +55 to +60 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a handsome dark brown leather strap, featuring an embossed crocodilian texture and prominent yellow-gold contrast stitching that perfectly complements the gold tones of the case and dial. It is secured by a standard gold-tone pin buckle. Condition This King Seiko is presented in good vintage condition, offering a highly authentic and unpolished aesthetic. It is a well-loved timepiece that wears its history openly. The dial shows distinct aging, spotting, and localized discoloration, while the gold-plated case displays expected rub-through on the high edges and corners. The intact gold medallion on the caseback remains a strong highlight of its preservation. Dimensions The case measures 36 mm in diameter, excluding the crown. The proportions are classically restrained, making it an exceptionally comfortable and elegant dress watch by modern standards. Remarks For the dedicated Seiko collector, the 56KS series is an essential acquisition. Despite the visible cosmetic wear and dial aging, this example retains its strong architectural DNA and the crucial caseback medallion. It represents an accessible entry into the prestigious world of vintage Hi-Beat King Seiko, carrying the undeniable charm of a watch that has lived a full life. History Introduced in the 1960s, King Seiko was born from an internal rivalry within the Seiko corporation, designed to compete directly with Grand Seiko in the pursuit of ultimate accuracy and finishing. Produced by the Suwa Seikosha factory, the 5600 series of movements represented a major technological leap, bringing high-beat automatic calibers to the King Seiko line. These watches were instrumental in proving that Japanese watchmaking could not only match but frequently surpass the established Swiss standards of the era, leaving a legacy that continues to captivate purists today. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SKX-0004