Seiko - King Seiko Hi-Beat - Zonder minimumprijs - 5625-7000 - Heren - 1969

Available now on auction by Second Vintage This exceptional timepiece represents a pinnacle era of Japanese watchmaking, embodying the fierce and fruitful internal rivalry that drove Seiko to international acclaim. The King Seiko line was conceived to push the boundaries of precision, durability, and design, offering a sophisticated alternative to its Grand Seiko sibling. With its sharp, faceted architecture and high-frequency mechanical heart, this piece stands as a testament to the uncompromising standards of the Suwa Seikosha factory during the late 1960s. It remains a highly coveted reference for collectors who appreciate the purity of vintage Japanese horology. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Reference Number: 5625-7000 Serial Number: 940650 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5625 Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices, exceptionally clean and well-preserved Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1969 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a remarkably sharp case and pristine dial Dial and Hands The dial of this King Seiko is a masterclass in mid-century horological design, featuring a brilliant silver sunburst finish that catches the light beautifully. The typography is sharp and precise, with the applied silver-tone Seiko logo and the iconic applied KS emblem positioned above the six o'clock marker. The dial is exceptionally clean, showing outstanding preservation without any visible spotting, moisture marks, or discoloration. The applied faceted baton hour markers feature black central stripes, matched perfectly by the sharp, polished dauphine hands, which also carry black inlays for enhanced legibility. A framed date aperture sits cleanly at the three o'clock position. The printed Hi-Beat text and the Suwa factory symbol remain perfectly intact, completing a visually striking and highly preserved dial layout. Case and Crystal The 36 millimeter stainless steel case exemplifies Taro Tanaka's famous Grammar of Design, characterized by flat, highly polished surfaces and sharply angled lugs. The case remains in excellent vintage condition, retaining strong factory lines, crisp chamfers, and distinct transitions between its architectural facets. While there are honest, superficial signs of careful handling and light surface wear consistent with its age, the case has avoided heavy polishing and maintains its striking geometric presence on the wrist. The original prominently knurled crown is present and clearly signed with the KS logo. Turning the watch over reveals a solid caseback featuring a remarkably crisp and fully intact gold KS medallion, a highly sought-after detail that is often worn down on lesser examples. The watch is fitted with a domed crystal that provides a clear and distortion-free view of the immaculate dial beneath. Movement Ticking inside is the renowned Seiko Caliber 5625, an automatic high-beat movement celebrated for its engineering elegance and reliability. The caseback engravings confirm the reference and proudly display the Suwa factory origins. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher indicates a performance of -9s to -15s/day. Strap The watch is paired with a handsome black textured strap featuring contrasting white stitching. The strap conforms comfortably to the wrist and complements the sharp, monochromatic aesthetic of the stainless steel case and silver dial perfectly. Condition This timepiece is presented in excellent vintage condition. The dial is remarkably preserved, free of the common aging flaws found in watches of this era. The case retains its sharp, defining geometric lines with only light, age-appropriate surface wear. The gold King Seiko medallion on the caseback is outstandingly crisp, further confirming the careful ownership history of this watch. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures 36 mm in diameter, excluding the signed crown. Remarks Finding a vintage King Seiko from this era with such a pristine dial and an intact, unpolished gold medallion is becoming increasingly difficult. This reference 5625-7000 offers an uncompromised glimpse into Seiko's golden age of mechanical watchmaking, making it a highly compelling acquisition for the discerning vintage enthusiast. History Introduced in the 1960s, the King Seiko collection was born from a unique corporate strategy that pitted Seiko's two main production facilities, Suwa and Daini, against one another to foster rapid innovation. The 56KS series, produced by the Suwa division, represented a mature and highly refined iteration of the King Seiko concept. By incorporating high-beat automatic movements and adhering strictly to the Grammar of Design principles, these watches rivaled the best chronometers produced in Switzerland at the time. Today, they are celebrated not just as historic artifacts of Japanese industry, but as genuinely superb mechanical timepieces that continue to captivate collectors worldwide. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SKX-0009