Seiko - Lord Matic - No reserve price - 5606-8061 - Men - 1974

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The 1970s marked a golden era of design for Japanese watchmaking, characterized by bold experimentation with color, light, and geometry. This Seiko Lord Matic is a quintessential representation of that vibrant period, capturing the imagination with its deep blue gradient dial and highly reflective faceted crystal. Positioned as a premium offering just below the elite King Seiko and Grand Seiko lines, the Lord Matic series offered exceptional mechanical sophistication paired with avant-garde aesthetics. This particular reference showcases the architectural brilliance of vintage Seiko, combining a robust cushion-style case with an intricate interplay of brushed and polished surfaces, making it a highly charismatic addition to any vintage collection. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Reference Number: 5606-8061 Serial Number: 4N1595 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 5606A, 23 Jewels Dial: Blue gradient sunburst dial with applied faceted indices, showing a minor central spot Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1974 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and striking dial presence Dial and Hands The centerpiece of this watch is its captivating blue gradient dial, which transitions from a brilliant vibrant blue at the center to a deep, near-black navy at the outer edges. The sunburst texture catches the light beautifully, creating a dynamic backdrop for the applied silver-tone faceted indices, each detailed with a precise black central stripe. The baton hands perfectly mirror this design language, offering excellent legibility against the colorful dial. The applied Seiko and LM logos add a premium three-dimensional quality to the dial furniture. A framed day and date aperture at the three o'clock position features a desirable dual-language English and Kanji day wheel. Carefully inspecting the dial reveals a tiny dark spot located just below the printed automatic text and above the central pinion. Despite this minor imperfection, the dial remains exceptionally vibrant, with crisp factory printing and no signs of edge degradation. Case and Crystal The 36 mm stainless steel case features a distinct cushion-esque profile with integrated hooded lugs, a hallmark of 1970s Seiko design. The case geometry relies on a sharp transition between the brushed upper surfaces and the polished flanks. The case remains well-defined but exhibits honest signs of vintage wear, including surface scratches and small dings, most notably on the polished bezel ring around the five and six o'clock positions. The watch is fitted with a striking faceted crystal that elevates the visual depth of the dial. As is typical for prominent vintage mineral crystals, it shows minor edge wear and faint flea bites along the facets, consistent with its age and regular use. The solid screw-down caseback retains deep, clear factory engravings, including the serial and reference numbers. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko Caliber 5606A automatic movement, a highly regarded 23-jewel mechanism that formed the foundational architecture for many of Seiko's higher-tier watches of the era. Visual inspection of the movement reveals a clean and bright aesthetic, with the signed rotor and caliber markings presenting clearly. While the movement itself looks well-preserved, there is some expected age-related patination and marking visible on the outer case seating area where the caseback seals. Strap The watch is presented on its original vintage stainless steel folded-link bracelet. The clasp is proudly stamped with the Seiko and LM logos, confirming its authenticity to the piece. The bracelet shows typical signs of use, including superficial desk-diving marks and normal structural stretch consistent with a folded-link design from the 1970s, retaining its period-correct charm and comfortable drape on the wrist. Condition This Seiko is in good vintage condition. It presents a highly attractive and characterful aesthetic on the wrist, driven largely by the mesmerizing gradient dial and the architectural faceted crystal. The case and original bracelet show honest, unhidden wear that speaks to a life of regular use without severe abuse. The dial is stunning overall, with the aforementioned small central spot being the only notable flaw in an otherwise brilliantly preserved face. Dimensions Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks Finding a vintage Seiko that perfectly encapsulates the daring design language of the 1970s is always a pleasure for collectors. The combination of the faceted crystal, the vignette blue dial, and the original signed bracelet makes this Lord Matic a standout piece. It offers a sophisticated mechanical pedigree wrapped in an undeniably fun and historically significant aesthetic package. History Introduced in the late 1960s, the Lord Matic line was a massive commercial success for Seiko, targeted at the aspiring middle-class professional. It sat proudly in the Seiko hierarchy, offering a tangible step up in finishing and mechanical quality from the entry-level Seiko 5 series. The 5600 series of movements utilized in the LM range were so robust and well-engineered that Seiko adapted them for use in their chronometer-certified King Seiko and Grand Seiko models. By the mid-1970s, the Lord Matic line became a canvas for Seiko's most adventurous designs, utilizing colored dials, unique case shapes, and intricately cut crystals to reflect the bold fashion trends of the decade. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SLJ-0062