Seiko Lord Matic 5606-7260 - A Reference Guide for Collectors

The 1972 example establishes the smaller configuration: a 34 mm stainless steel case, blue sunburst dial and automatic 5606A caliber. Its Kanji and English day wheel sits beside the date at three o'clock, and the applied indices keep the darker dial readable. This is the more compact and visually assertive version.

The 1973 watches establish a different configuration at 36 mm, with silver sunburst dials and applied faceted indices. Dark stripes through the markers sharpen the contrast, while the polished hands and applied Seiko and LM signatures keep the layout restrained. Between equal-condition examples, choose blue for stronger colour and the silver 36 mm version for greater wrist presence.

The dial carries the decisive premium on the 5606-7260. A clean sunburst finish should retain its radial change under angled light, and the applied Seiko and LM signatures should remain separate from the printed text. A refinished dial costs more in collector value than light case wear, so an honest dial outranks a brighter case with softened edges.

Case size creates the next meaningful spread. The 34 mm blue watch wears compactly, while the 36 mm silver version occupies more of the wrist without changing the reference. Bracelet fit also matters: a signed bracelet belongs naturally with the compact 1972 configuration we have handled, but period-correct is not proof that a bracelet has remained with the watch since sale.

Condition faults should be named rather than folded into a broad grade. Moisture spotting on the sunburst surface, oxidation on the hands and softened case facets are distinct problems with different consequences. The service history is unknown without documentation, and a clean exterior does not establish the condition of the 5606A movement.

Known 5606-7260 examples span 1972-1973, which is the useful reference-level production window established here. The 5606 caliber family has a broader production window of 1968-1976, so that range alone cannot assign a particular 5606-7260 to one of the two known years. It dates the caliber, not the complete watch.

A 1972 or 1973 attribution should also agree with the watch as a whole: reference, case, dial layout and 5606A movement must form a coherent configuration. A movement from the broader caliber window does not by itself prove that the case and movement left the factory together. Without documentation, we prefer not to speculate beyond what the complete watch establishes.