Seiko - King Seiko Vanac Special - 5256-6000 - Men - 1973

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The 1970s represented a golden era of daring, avant-garde watchmaking, and few collections capture this flamboyant spirit quite like the King Seiko Vanac line. Produced by the legendary Daini Seikosha factory, the Vanac series was Seiko’s answer to the vibrant, rule-breaking aesthetic of the decade, combining top-tier King Seiko mechanical precision with radical case geometries, deeply faceted crystals, and mesmerizing dials. This particular King Seiko Vanac Special is a breathtaking example of that fearless design language, boasting an exceptional green gradient dial and a highly architectural case that perfectly embodies the Grammar of Design principles. It is a phenomenal collector’s piece that bridges the gap between serious horological pedigree and unapologetic vintage style. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Vanac Special Reference Number: 5256-6000 Serial Number: 3D0338 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5256A, 25 Jewels Dial: Green gradient sunburst with applied faceted block indices, pristine condition Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1973 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with sharp case lines and an immaculate dial. Movement has been serviced and performs very strongly. Dial and Hands The dial of this Vanac is a visual masterclass, featuring a striking green sunburst finish that radiates from a vibrant emerald center out to a deep, almost black vignette at the outer edges. The condition of the dial is absolutely stunning, completely free of moisture marks, spotting, staining, or discoloration. The typography remains perfectly crisp, with the applied gold-tone Seiko logo, red printed Vanac script, and blue Automatic text sitting sharply above the center pinion. Below, the applied gold-tone KS logo and printed Special text proudly accompany the iconic Daini Seikosha lightning bolt emblem. The applied indices are wonderfully eccentric, featuring deeply grooved, alternating metallic blocks, with gold-tone markers at the twelve, six, and nine o'clock positions, and silver-tone markers filling the rest. A framed day-date aperture sits cleanly at three o'clock. The faceted baton hands, complete with contrasting black center stripes, are impeccably preserved and sweep above the dial alongside a slender white seconds hand. Case and Crystal The 36 millimeter stainless steel case is a testament to Taro Tanaka’s Grammar of Design, featuring sharp, highly angular lug profiles and broad, flat surfaces. The transitions between the brushed upper planes and the polished case flanks remain well-defined, showing honest, age-consistent wear with light surface scratches but no signs of heavy over-polishing. The watch retains its original, deeply engraved KS signed crown. Protecting the dial is the model-defining faceted crystal, cut with multiple flat planes that catch and refract light beautifully, adding immense depth to the dial below. The crystal is in good vintage condition, presenting clearly but exhibiting some minor, age-appropriate edge wear and fine flea bites along the facet junctions when viewed under close inspection. The screw-down caseback is remarkably crisp, clearly displaying the King Seiko medallion text, reference numbers, and the serial number indicating a production date of December 1973. Movement Powering this timepiece is the highly regarded Daini Seikosha Caliber 5256A, a 25-jewel automatic movement known for its refined architecture and reliable performance. The movement presents beautifully in the macro photography, with clean bridges, a bright rotor, and crisp red factory engravings. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. Timegrapher results show an impressive -3 to -6 seconds per day with strong amplitude. Movement has been serviced and performs very strongly. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct stainless steel brick-link bracelet that seamlessly complements the angular geometry of the case. The endlinks are clearly stamped with the factory code B-154L, confirming its authenticity to the Seiko lineup of the era. The bracelet exhibits normal vintage wear with fine surface scratches consistent with the case, and it accommodates a wrist size of up to 18 centimeters. Condition This King Seiko Vanac Special is presented in excellent vintage condition. The dial is the undeniable star, remaining in near-mint, flawless condition without any of the degradation often found in colored dials of this era. The angular case retains strong geometry and honest vintage wear, while the distinctive faceted crystal shows only minor, acceptable edge marks that do not detract from the striking visual presence of the watch. The movement is exceptionally clean and running with impressive precision. Dimensions Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Wrist Size: 18 cm Remarks Finding a King Seiko Vanac Special with a dial this perfectly preserved is a rare opportunity. The combination of the vibrant green vignette dial, the extravagant faceted crystal, and the high-grade 52-series movement makes this a highly desirable acquisition. It is a watch that demands attention on the wrist while offering the mechanical integrity expected from Seiko’s premium vintage tiers. History Introduced in the early 1970s, the Vanac line was an exclusive sub-collection within the King Seiko family, designed to appeal to a younger, more fashion-conscious demographic. Produced primarily by the Daini Seikosha factory, these watches utilized the excellent 52-series high-beat and mid-beat automatic movements but housed them in some of the most radical cases Seiko ever produced. Characterized by brightly colored dials, asymmetrical case shapes, and heavily faceted crystals, the Vanac series was a bold departure from traditional watchmaking aesthetics. Today, they are celebrated by collectors as the ultimate expression of 1970s horological funk, offering a unique blend of top-tier mechanical watchmaking and unapologetic vintage flair. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SVA-0005