Seiko Lord Matic 5606-7320 buying guide

The 5606-7320 remained consistent in its basic architecture: a 36 mm stainless-steel case, a faceted crystal and an automatic caliber 5606A. The visual spread sits in the dials. Green and emerald executions use deep edge shading, while brown and amber-brown versions can add vertical brushing, gold-tone markers and black inserts. An English and Kanji day wheel is also established on a brown 1973 example.

A signed bracelet makes the watch look complete, and several examples retain one, but the dial carries the larger premium. Between a bracelet-complete watch with a refinished gradient and a strap watch with crisp printing and undisturbed brushing, take the honest dial. The 23 and 25 jewel executions both occur under this reference, so jewel count alone does not identify a better 5606-7320 or justify overlooking mismatched parts.

At 36 mm excluding the crown, the 5606-7320 wears compactly by current standards without losing its 1970s presence. The faceted crystal and applied block markers add depth that a flat measurement cannot capture, while dark outer shading visually tightens the dial. Green is the more graphic choice; amber-brown and brown sit more quietly with tailoring, especially where gold-tone indices warm the display.

Legibility depends on contrast rather than diameter. Black centre stripes on the markers and matching dark details in the baton hands remain clear against the brown gradient, while the day-date gives the watch everyday utility. The signed bracelet strengthens the period look, but its condition should not excuse soft case facets. A strap can be changed; polished-away geometry cannot be returned.

The costliest fault is a refinished dial. A redial can flatten the edge gradient, lose the vertical brushing found on brown and amber-brown versions, or leave printed text inconsistent with the applied Seiko and LM logos. Damage is different from patina: spotting, staining and moisture loss should be named directly. A genuine service dial is not the same as a redial, but the evidence here does not establish a service-dial configuration for 5606-7320.

Over-polishing is the next permanent loss because the case depends on distinct facets; soft transitions remove the architecture that makes this reference recognisable. A replacement plain crystal also changes the watch materially, since the faceted crystal contributes much of its light play. Bracelets can show stretch, and mixed dial, hand or marker combinations can create a franken watch even when every component is genuine Seiko. Without documentation, the service history remains unknown.