Seiko - Lord Matic Special - No reserve price - 5206-6090 - Men - 1973

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Seiko Lord Matic Special from the golden era of Japanese watchmaking exemplifies the sophisticated design language that defined Seiko's upper-tier offerings in the 1970s. The Lord Matic line, positioned just below the Grand Seiko and King Seiko tiers, offered exceptional mechanical refinement and striking aesthetics. This particular example features a captivating faceted crystal and a dynamic, textured blue gradient dial, capturing the bold and experimental spirit of 1970s horology. The combination of the faceted crystal and the intricate dial finishing creates a remarkable play of light, making this a standout piece for any collector of vintage Japanese watches. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Special Reference Number: 5206-6090 Serial Number: 331378 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5206A, 23 Jewels Dial: Blue gradient dial with vertical texturing, applied indices, and faceted crystal; shows signs of aging and wear to the indices and hands. Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1973 Condition: Fair vintage condition with visible wear and patina consistent with age. Dial and Hands The dial of this Lord Matic Special is a striking blue gradient, featuring a distinct vertical brushed texture that interacts beautifully with the light. The dial presents applied, faceted silver-tone indices with black central stripes, though close inspection reveals noticeable oxidation, spotting, and degradation on the surfaces of these hour markers. The applied Seiko and LM Special logos remain intact and legible. The silver-tone hands, including the central seconds hand, also exhibit visible oxidation, pitting, and loss of original finish, consistent with exposure to moisture over the decades. A framed day-date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, displaying a silver-tone background with black text. The dial surface itself appears mostly clean, but the aging on the applied furniture is prominent and should be noted by collectors seeking pristine examples. Case and Crystal The 35mm stainless steel case features a distinct, angular design typical of the era, with integrated lugs and a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The case shows moderate to heavy signs of wear, including scratches, scuffs, and softening of the original sharp factory edges, indicative of regular use over the past fifty years. The most prominent feature is the faceted crystal, which adds significant depth and character to the watch. However, the crystal exhibits multiple visible scratches, edge chips, and scuffs across its facets, which slightly obscures the dial view in certain lighting conditions. The original recessed crown is present at the 3 o'clock position. The screw-down caseback is clearly engraved with the Seiko logo, reference number 5206-6090, and serial number 331378, though it also displays numerous surface scratches from previous opening attempts and general wear. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko automatic Caliber 5206A, a highly regarded movement from the Daini Seikosha factory, featuring 23 jewels. The movement is visible in the provided images, showing the signed rotor and caliber markings. The movement exhibits signs of age, including some surface oxidation and discoloration on the rotor and bridge plates. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. The timegrapher result is -47s-53s/day. Strap The watch is fitted with a black leather strap featuring contrasting white stitching and an alligator-style embossed pattern. The strap appears lightly used and remains in good condition, secured with a standard steel tang buckle. Condition This Seiko Lord Matic Special is presented in fair vintage condition. The watch exhibits clear signs of its age and history, most notably the oxidation on the dial indices and hands, as well as the numerous scratches and chips on the faceted crystal. The stainless steel case shows expected wear, with softened edges and surface marks throughout. While the aesthetic character of the 1970s design remains strong, the visible wear and aging are prominent factors. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks This Lord Matic Special represents a fascinating intersection of bold 1970s design and serious mechanical watchmaking from Daini Seikosha. The faceted crystal and textured blue dial are quintessential elements of this era, offering a distinct visual presence. While this example shows considerable honest wear and aging, it remains a compelling artifact of Seiko's innovative history. History Introduced in the late 1960s, the Seiko Lord Matic (LM) line was designed to offer high-quality automatic movements and refined styling to the discerning consumer, sitting proudly alongside the King Seiko and Grand Seiko collections. The "Special" designation, often indicating a higher beat rate or enhanced regulation, further elevated these models. Produced by the Daini Seikosha factory, the 52-series movements found in these watches are celebrated for their sophisticated design and reliability, eventually serving as the foundation for the modern 4S caliber family. The Lord Matic Special perfectly encapsulates Seiko's dedication to making premium mechanical watchmaking accessible, wrapped in the adventurous and iconic design language of the 1970s. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SLX-0041