Seiko - Lord Matic Special "Deep Blue Sunburst" 爵映 – Shaku’ei – Nobility Reflection - No reserve price - 5216-7050 - Men - 1974

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage This is a remarkable example of the Seiko Lord Matic Special, a timepiece that perfectly captures the adventurous and high-quality spirit of 1970s Japanese watchmaking. Distinguished by its "Special" designation which indicates a higher grade movement than the standard Lord Matic, this specific reference features a vibrant blue dial and the highly collectible faceted crystal, making it a standout piece for any vintage Seiko collector. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Special Reference Number: 5216-7050 Serial Number: 400961 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5216A Dial: Deep Blue Sunburst Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1974 Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The watch presents beautifully with sharp case lines and an immaculate dial, showing only expected signs of age-appropriate wear to the faceted crystal and case surface. Dial and Hands The dial is the centerpiece of this watch, featuring a stunning deep blue sunburst finish that remains in exceptional condition. It is adorned with raised, faceted silver hour indices and a framed day-date window at the three o'clock position. The silver hands are sharp and legible, complementing the applied "SEIKO" and "LM Special" logos perfectly. The dial is viewed through the original faceted crystal, also known as "cut glass," which features three distinct horizontal planes that distort and reflect light in a captivating manner unique to this era of production. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features the sharp, geometric "Grammar of Design" lines that defined Seiko in the 1970s. The case appears unpolished with its original brushed surfaces and crisp edges still intact. The caseback is a screw-down type, clearly engraved with the reference and serial numbers. The faceted crystal shows some light wear and marks along the angular edges consistent with its age, but it remains clear and retains its dramatic visual effect. Movement Powering this timepiece is the high-grade Seiko Caliber 5216A automatic movement. This 25-jewel movement was an upgrade over the standard 56-series base movements of the time, offering reliable vintage performance. The movement is clean and features the "Special" designation on the rotor. It is currently running within vintage tolerances. Strap The watch is fitted with its original stainless steel multi-link bracelet, which is a significant value add for collectors. The bracelet features the correct "LM" signed clasp and matches the case aesthetics perfectly. It is sized to fit a wrist of approximately 17.5cm comfortably. Condition This timepiece is in excellent vintage condition. The dial is flawless, free from moisture damage or staining. The stainless steel case retains its original geometry with signs of light surface wear commensurate with a watch from 1974. The faceted crystal has some light scratches and softening on the facet edges but does not obscure the dial. The overall presentation is honest, sharp, and highly attractive. Dimensions The case measures 36 mm in diameter excluding the crown, offering a classic vintage fit that works well on a variety of wrist sizes. The faceted crystal adds a unique profile to the watch on the wrist, giving it a presence larger than its dimensions suggest. Remarks The Lord Matic Special 5216-7050 is becoming increasingly sought after due to its high-quality movement, which later served as the basis for the revived 4S hi-beat movements in the 1990s. The combination of the deep blue dial and the faceted crystal makes this specific configuration one of the most desirable iterations of the LM line. It is a functional piece of art that represents the peak of Seiko's mid-tier luxury offerings during the golden age of mechanical watches. History Introduced in the late 1960s, the Lord Matic (LM) line was positioned just below the Grand Seiko and King Seiko lines, offering high-quality automatic movements in sophisticated case designs. The "Special" line was introduced later to bridge the gap even further, utilizing higher-spec movements like the 5206 and 5216. These watches were manufactured at the Daini Seikosha factory, as indicated by the lightning bolt logo on the dial, and played a crucial role in establishing Seiko's reputation for mass-producing high-precision mechanical watches before the quartz revolution fully took hold. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SLS-0013