Seiko - Lord Marvel - No reserve price - 5740-8000 - Men - 1974

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This sought-after Seiko Lord Marvel features the historic 5740C caliber, celebrated as the brand's first 36,000 bph high-beat movement. Paired with a beautifully preserved silver sunburst dial and classic 1970s dress watch proportions, this timepiece offers collectors a highly significant mechanical achievement in a refined gold-plated configuration. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Marvel Reference Number: 5740-8000 Serial Number: 483260 Movement: Manual wind caliber 5740C, 23 jewels, 36,000 bph Dial: Silver sunburst finish with applied gold-tone indices Case Size: 35mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-plated Production Year: 1974 Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Movement serviced on 21 July 2026. Timegrapher: -24s-30s/day, running strong and steady. Dial and Hands The silver sunburst dial is exceptionally clean and well-preserved, showcasing a brilliant finish with no significant spotting, staining, or visible moisture damage. Its applied gold-tone Seiko logo and crisp, faceted indices provide excellent depth, while all printed text remains sharp and fully intact. The matching gold-tone dauphine hands are equally sharp, presenting clean surfaces with only very minor micro-dust or faint oxidation visible under strict macro magnification. Case and Crystal The gold-plated case and stainless steel caseback display honest vintage wear, retaining their classic dress watch proportions. The case exhibits moderate scratches and handling marks throughout, alongside expected plating degradation visible on the edges of the lugs and the caseback perimeter. The lugs maintain their general shape despite these signs of use. An integrated gold-tone smooth bezel frames the dial, showing light scratches consistent with the rest of the case. The unsigned gold-tone knurled crown displays some plating wear on its edges. Above the dial, the domed acrylic crystal is clear, presenting no major scratches, cracks, or crazing. Movement Inside is the historic manual wind caliber 5740C, proudly engraved with SEIKO, 23 JEWELS, and JAPAN. As Seiko's first 36,000 bph high-beat movement, it remains a highly regarded technical milestone. The movement appears very clean, showing no obvious corrosion or heavy staining, with the screw heads and plates remaining in good condition beneath minor superficial marks. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. The timegrapher records a rate of -24s-30s/day. The movement was serviced on 21 July 2026. Strap The watch is fitted with a complementary brown leather strap featuring contrast stitching and an unsigned gold-tone pin buckle. The strap shows light wear and creasing from previous use. Condition Excellent vintage condition. The movement was serviced on 21 July 2026 and, supported by the recorded timegrapher result, is running strong and steady. The dial is remarkably preserved, offering crisp applied indices and a pristine sunburst finish. The gold-plated case displays moderate scratches and expected plating wear along the lug edges and caseback perimeter, representing honest use over the decades. The domed acrylic crystal remains clear, and the overall presentation of this high-beat timepiece is highly attractive. Dimensions The case measures 35mm (excluding the crown). Remarks This 1974 Lord Marvel offers an excellent opportunity to acquire Seiko's groundbreaking 36,000 bph caliber in a highly authentic package. The beautifully preserved silver sunburst dial and crisp gold-tone furniture make this an outstanding addition to any serious vintage Japanese watch collection. History Introduced in the late 1960s, the Seiko Lord Marvel 36000 holds a pivotal place in Japanese watchmaking history. It was the very first Seiko timepiece to feature a 36,000 beats per hour movement, the caliber 5740C, effectively paving the way for the brand's later high-beat Grand Seiko and King Seiko models. By doubling the standard beat rate of the era, Seiko achieved greater chronometric precision and a distinctive, ultra-smooth sweeping seconds hand. Today, the Lord Marvel 36000 remains a collector favourite, celebrated for its understated dress watch aesthetics housing a historically significant mechanical engine. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-LMX-0001