Seiko - King Seiko Hi-Beat - No reserve price - 5626-5010 - Men - 1971

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The King Seiko line represents the pinnacle of internal rivalry at Seiko, serving as a testament to the pursuit of chronometric perfection during the golden age of Japanese watchmaking. The reference 5626-5010 is a striking example of 1970s design language, featuring a bold square case and an advanced high-beat automatic movement. This timepiece perfectly encapsulates the architectural aesthetic of its era while delivering the renowned mechanical sophistication that defined the prestigious KS badge. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Hi-Beat Reference Number: 5626-5010 Serial Number: 1N4394 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5626 Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied indices, showing visible edge wear and minor surface spotting consistent with age Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1971 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and a well-preserved case profile Dial and Hands The silver sunburst dial exhibits a refined vertical brushing technique that catches the light beautifully, complemented by applied faceted baton indices featuring black center inserts for enhanced legibility. The dial furniture includes the crisp applied Seiko and KS logos, alongside a sharply framed day-date window at the three o'clock position displaying both English and Kanji text. Upon close visual inspection, the dial shows honest signs of its age, with visible edge wear near the lower corners and faint scattered spotting across the surface. The sword-style hands mirror the indices with matching black inserts and remain in excellent condition. Case and Crystal The 36mm stainless steel case features a distinctive square profile that exemplifies 1970s architectural watch design. The case retains its factory-intended finishes, displaying strong vertical brushing on the broad top surfaces that transitions sharply into polished flanks. The case lines remain well-defined, showing normal, honest signs of wear including surface scratches and handling marks consistent with regular use over the decades. The solid caseback features deep, legible engravings including the KS logo, reference, and serial numbers. The raised flat crystal sits proudly above the bezel, protecting the dial while showing minimal signs of wear. Movement Inside beats the esteemed Seiko Caliber 5626, a high-beat automatic movement operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, renowned for its accuracy and sophisticated day-date complication. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era, recording +49 to +52 seconds per day on the timegrapher. Strap The watch is fitted with a handsome distressed brown leather strap featuring contrasting orange stitching, perfectly complementing the vintage character of the timepiece and secured with a standard steel buckle. Condition This King Seiko is presented in good vintage condition. The case exhibits honest wear with visible surface marks and scratches, yet retains its bold architectural lines and contrasting finishes. The dial shows age-consistent patina, specifically light edge wear and minor spotting, which do not detract from its overall striking presence. The caseback engravings remain sharp and distinct. Dimensions Case Size: 36 mm Remarks A superb opportunity to acquire a mechanically significant and visually arresting King Seiko from a defining era of Japanese horology. History Born from the legendary rivalry between the Suwa and Daini Seikosha factories, the King Seiko line was created to push the boundaries of precision and design. The 56KS family, introduced in the late 1960s, represented a modernization of the KS lineage, utilizing automated assembly while maintaining exceptional chronometric standards. The square-cased 5626-5010 stands out as a bold departure from traditional round cases, reflecting the experimental and highly creative design ethos of Seiko in the early 1970s. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SKH-0001