Seiko - Lord Matic - No reserve price - 5606-7230 - Men - 1973

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage The Seiko Lord Matic line represents a golden era of Japanese horology, perfectly bridging the gap between everyday reliability and the high-end finishing of the King Seiko and Grand Seiko families. This particular example from the early 1970s is a brilliant showcase of Seiko’s adventurous design language during the decade. Featuring a mesmerizing blue sunburst dial positioned beneath a dramatic faceted crystal, the watch plays with light from every angle. Powered by the esteemed 5606 caliber, this timepiece offers collectors a sophisticated and visually striking vintage experience that remains highly wearable today. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Reference Number: 5606-7230 Serial Number: 368299 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 5606A, 23 Jewels Dial: Vibrant blue sunburst with applied faceted indices, exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1973 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a beautifully preserved dial and sharp case lines Dial and Hands The striking blue sunburst dial is the undeniable focal point of this timepiece, radiating a deep, dynamic color that shifts beautifully depending on the lighting. The dial is in exceptionally clean condition, completely free from moisture marks, spotting, edge wear, or discoloration, retaining its brilliant factory luster. It is adorned with highly polished, applied silver-tone indices featuring white central channels that provide excellent legibility. The applied serif "SEIKO" and "LM" logos are crisp and prominent, while the printed "AUTOMATIC", "23 JEWELS", and the Suwa factory insignia remain perfectly intact. A framed day-date aperture at three o'clock adds practicality, showcasing a classic Kanji and English day wheel with Sunday printed in vibrant red. The silver-tone baton hands feature matching white inserts that exhibit a very slight, honest texture consistent with their age, complementing the overall pristine presentation of the dial. Case and Crystal The 36 mm stainless steel case features a classic cushion-influenced silhouette that sits comfortably on the wrist. The case retains excellent definition, showcasing the intended factory contrast between the vertically brushed upper surfaces and the highly polished flanks. The lug profiles remain sharp, and the transitions between finishes are clear, exhibiting only honest, light superficial handling marks consistent with careful vintage wear. The watch is fitted with a spectacular faceted crystal, a hallmark of 1970s Seiko design, which creates a captivating geometric visual effect over the dial. The crystal is well-preserved, showing only minor surface wear along the extreme edges that does not detract from its striking appearance. The polished crown is slightly recessed at the three o'clock position. The screw-down caseback is clean and fully legible, clearly displaying the Seiko branding, Suwa logo, reference numbers, and the serial number indicating production in 1973. Movement Inside beats the Seiko Caliber 5606A, a highly capable 23-jewel automatic movement produced by the renowned Suwa Seikosha facility. The movement presents cleanly in the macro photography, with the rotor clearly stamped with "SEIKO", "23 JEWELS", and "JAPAN 5606A". The plates and bridges display a raw, industrial finish typical of the era, with all visible screws and jewels appearing secure and well-maintained. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. The timegrapher results show a performance of +55 to +60 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a complementary black leather strap featuring contrasting white stitching. The strap is secured with a standard stainless steel pin buckle. It is in excellent, lightly handled condition and provides a handsome, period-appropriate contrast to the vivid blue dial and sharp steel case. Condition This Lord Matic is presented in excellent vintage condition. The dial is a standout, remaining incredibly fresh and free of the degradation often found in colored dials from this era. The case exhibits normal, honest signs of wear with light surface scratches on the polished sides, but it maintains strong lines and has not been subjected to heavy polishing. The faceted crystal shows minor edge wear but remains highly reflective and structurally sound. The movement is clean and fully operational. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures 36 mm in diameter, excluding the crown. The integrated lug design and cushion case profile provide a substantial yet elegant presence on the wrist, sitting comfortably under a cuff while offering plenty of vintage character. Remarks Finding a Seiko Lord Matic with a pristine colored dial and its original faceted crystal intact is a rewarding discovery for any enthusiast of Japanese watchmaking. The visual depth created by the geometric crystal over the sunburst blue dial makes this reference 5606-7230 a truly captivating piece. It is a superb representation of 1970s Seiko flair, offering both aesthetic intrigue and mechanical pedigree. History Introduced in 1968, the Seiko Lord Matic line was created to serve as the sophisticated mid-tier offering for the brand, positioned just below the prestigious King Seiko and Grand Seiko collections. The LM series was highly successful, favored by businessmen for its elegant proportions and reliable performance. Crucially, the Lord Matic was powered by the 56-series movement family, a robust and advanced automatic caliber that Seiko also utilized as the foundational architecture for the chronometer-certified movements in their higher-end lines. Today, the Lord Matic is celebrated by collectors for offering remarkable mechanical quality and incredibly diverse, daring dial designs that perfectly encapsulate the spirit of 1970s horology. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SAL-0020