Seiko - Lord Matic Special - No reserve price - 5216-6030 - Men - 1974

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This is a remarkable opportunity to acquire a vibrant and technically superior example of Seiko's 1970s watchmaking prowess. The Seiko Lord Matic Special is a step above the standard Lord Matic line, featuring a higher-grade movement and, as seen here, more daring design elements. This specific example boasts a stunning emerald green sunburst dial that plays beautifully with the light, housed in a sharp stainless steel case. Powered by the highly regarded 5216 automatic movement—which later became the basis for Seiko's modern high-end 4S calibers—this timepiece seamlessly combines collecting history with striking vintage aesthetics. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Special Reference Number: 5216-6030 Serial Number: 441744 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5216A Dial: Emerald Green Sunburst Case Size: 35 mm Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1974 Condition: Good vintage condition. The watch shows honest signs of age, particularly on the crystal, while the dial remains in exceptional preservation, and the movement is running strongly with healthy timegrapher results. Dial and Hands The centerpiece of this watch is undoubtedly the emerald green dial, which features a rich sunburst finish that shifts in tone depending on the angle of light. The dial is adorned with faceted applied silver hour markers that catch the light crisply. At the three o'clock position sits a framed day and date window. The gold-tone "LM" and "SPECIAL" text at the six o'clock position adds a touch of warmth and exclusivity. The handset is a clean baton style with central striping. The dial surface itself appears remarkably clean and free of significant aging or staining. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features the sharp lines and geometric definition characteristic of Seiko's "Grammar of Design" era. The lugs are angular and faceted, providing a robust presence on the wrist despite the classic 35mm diameter. The watch is fitted with a mineral crystal, showing visible scratching and chipping along the edges and surface, which is consistent with its age. The screw-down caseback clearly displays the reference and serial numbers along with the Suwa factory lightning bolt logo. Movement Inside beats the Seiko Caliber 5216A, a 23-jewel automatic movement that is highly respected among collectors for its durability and engineering. This "Special" grade movement operates at 28,800 beats per hour and allows for hand-winding and hacking. The movement appears clean and offers reliable vintage performance. Timegrapher testing indicates the watch is running within vintage tolerances with a rate of +9 to +15 seconds per day, which indicates a healthy movement. Strap The watch is paired with a black leather strap featuring white accent stitching near the lugs. The strap is in very good condition and provides a classic contrast that allows the green dial to take center stage. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. The case retains its original factory definition with sharp lines, showing normal surface wear and light scratches commensurate with a watch from 1974. The crystal exhibits noticeable wear, including scratches and flea bites along the edges, which is common for this specific crystal type. The dial, however, is in stunning condition and presents beautifully. Dimensions The case measures 35 mm in diameter excluding the crown. The lug-to-lug length ensures a comfortable fit on a variety of wrist sizes, maintaining a classic vintage profile. Remarks The Lord Matic Special series represents a sweet spot in vintage Seiko collecting, offering movements that rival King Seiko quality in designs that were often more experimental and colorful. This reference 5216-6030 stands out for its specific combination of a high-beat capable movement architecture and the desirable period design language. History Introduced in the late 1960s and produced through the 1970s, the Lord Matic (LM) line was positioned just below the King Seiko and Grand Seiko in the corporate hierarchy. The "Special" designation was added to models containing the 5200-series movements, which were thinner and more refined than the standard 5600-series found in regular LMs. The 5216 caliber is historically significant as it was designed by the Daini Seikosha division and its architecture was so sound that Seiko resurrected it in the 1990s as the 4S movement family for their higher-end mechanical watches. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SLS-0047