Seiko Lord Matic 皇光 (Kōkō) 5606-7000 (1970)

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Seiko Lord Matic reference 5606-7000 is a quintessential example of Japanese watchmaking from the golden era of the 1970s. Featuring a sophisticated monocoque case design and a stunning vertically brushed dial, this timepiece represents the high-quality engineering that positioned the Lord Matic line just beneath King Seiko in hierarchy. The "Water Proof" engraving on the caseback is a desirable detail for collectors, dating this specific piece to the transition period before industry standards shifted to "Water Resistant." Powered by the high-grade 5606 movement, this watch combines horological significance with an elegant vintage aesthetic. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Reference Number: 5606-7000 Serial Number: 0D7111 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5606 Dial: Silver vertically brushed Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold Plated Stainless Steel (SGP) Production Year: 1970 Condition: Good vintage condition. The movement is performing exceptionally well, running within -2 to -8 seconds per day with strong amplitude, which indicates a very healthy movement. Dial and Hands The highlight of this timepiece is its pristine silver dial, featuring a refined vertical brushed texture that catches the light beautifully. The dial is adorned with applied gold-tone baton hour markers with black central inserts, ensuring high legibility. The matching gold-tone hands are sharp and clean. A framed day-date window is positioned at 3 o'clock. The dial remains in stunning condition, free from spotting or significant aging, preserving the crisp "LM" and Suwa Seikosha logos. Case and Crystal The 36mm case is finished in Seiko's gold plating (SGP) and features the unique front-loading "monocoque" construction, as evidenced by the "Open Thru Glass" inscription on the back. The case design is distinctively 1970s, with angular lugs and a cushion-inspired profile. There is visible wear to the gold plating, particularly on the sharp edges and corners where the base metal is beginning to show, which is consistent with honest vintage use. The acrylic crystal shows visible surface scratches and hazing indicative of its age. Movement Powering the watch is the reputable Seiko Caliber 5606 automatic movement, a 23-jewel reliable workhorse known for its hacking and hand-winding capabilities. The movement is in excellent mechanical health, with timegrapher results showing a deviation of just -2 to -8 seconds per day and strong amplitude, offering reliable vintage performance. Strap The watch is fitted with its original gold-tone multi-link bracelet, featuring the correct "LM" signed clasp. The bracelet fits a wrist size of approximately 18.5cm. Like the case, the bracelet shows signs of wear and gold plating loss between the links and on the clasp surface, contributing to its vintage character. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. While the case and bracelet show evident cosmetic wear and plating loss typical of a gold-plated watch from 1970, the structural integrity is intact. The dial is exceptionally well-preserved, contrasting with the lived-in patina of the exterior. Ideally suited for a collector who values original dial condition and mechanical health over a flawless exterior. Dimensions Case diameter: 36 mm Lug width: 18 mm (integrated style) Wrist size: Approximately 18.5 cm Remarks The caseback features the "Water Proof" text, a detail that was phased out by Seiko around 1971 in favor of "Water Resistant," making this specific 1970 production run historically interesting. The instruction "Push Set Lever, Pull Stem" engraved on the back refers to the specialized method required to remove the crown on this front-loading case. History Introduced in 1968, the Lord Matic (LM) series was Seiko's sophisticated mid-range offering, integrating the new 56-series movement which was thinner and more advanced than its predecessors. The 5606 caliber became one of Seiko's most ubiquitous and respected automatic movements, serving as the base for many Chronometer-grade King Seiko and Grand Seiko models of the era. This model captures the peak of Seiko's mass-luxury strategy during the mechanical watch boom. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI1HQEN3Y000