Seiko - King Seiko Hi-Beat - No reserve price - 5625-8001 - Men - 1975

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This King Seiko represents a magnificent era of Japanese horology, embodying the fierce internal competition and relentless pursuit of perfection that defined Seiko in the 1970s. Crafted during the golden age of mechanical watchmaking, the 56KS series combines a high-frequency automatic caliber with the sharp, distinctive aesthetics of Taro Tanaka’s Grammar of Design. Enhanced by a beautifully preserved dial and a deeply engraved presentation caseback from 1975, this timepiece offers collectors a rich blend of robust mechanical performance and tangible history. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Hi-Beat Reference Number: 5625-8001 Serial Number: 542055 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5625B, 25 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices, showing very light localized spotting Case Size: 37 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold Plated (SGP) over Stainless Steel Production Year: 1975 Condition: Good vintage condition with strong mechanical health and honest case wear Dial and Hands The dial features a refined silver sunburst finish that catches the light beautifully, radiating from the center pinion. It is adorned with applied, faceted gold-tone baton indices that incorporate black central inserts for heightened legibility. The matching gold-tone dauphine hands also feature black center stripes, maintaining a cohesive and striking visual language. An applied SEIKO logo sits proudly at the twelve o'clock position, while the KS Hi-Beat branding and the Suwa Seikosha factory logo are crisply printed above the six o'clock marker. A framed date aperture is positioned at three o'clock. The dial is exceptionally well-preserved overall, though a close inspection reveals very faint, localized spotting near the central pinion and adjacent to the date window. The printing and applied furniture remain entirely intact and sharply defined. Case and Crystal The 37 mm case is rendered in Seiko Gold Plated (SGP) over stainless steel and showcases the angular, faceted lug profile characteristic of the brand's iconic Grammar of Design language. The case exhibits honest signs of vintage wear, with surface scratches and moderate plating loss visible on the sharper edges of the lugs, the bezel perimeter, and the caseback rim, revealing the base metal beneath. The crown shows corresponding wear to its gold plating. The watch is fitted with a flat crystal that presents clearly, offering an unobstructed view of the dial beneath. The stainless steel caseback is deeply and crisply engraved with a presentation message commemorating long service for the Tokyo Metropolitan Employees Mutual Aid Association in Showa 50, dating the watch perfectly to 1975. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko Caliber 5625B, a 25-jewel automatic movement renowned for its hi-beat frequency and reliable architecture. Visual inspection of the movement reveals clean bridges, a well-preserved rotor, and crisp factory engravings. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results show strong amplitude and a deviation of -12 to -13 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a handsome brown leather strap featuring contrasting white edge stitching and an embossed texture. It is secured to the wrist with a gold-tone pin buckle that harmonizes with the case material. Condition This King Seiko is in good vintage condition. The dial remains a strong focal point with its brilliant sunburst texture and only minor, age-consistent spotting. The gold-plated case displays honest handling marks and visible plating wear on the extremities, consistent with regular use over the decades. Mechanically, the watch is highly capable and running with impressive precision. Dimensions The case measures 37 mm in width excluding the crown, providing a substantial yet elegant presence on the wrist that remains highly versatile by modern standards. Remarks The 56KS family is celebrated as one of the most refined and reliable automatic lines produced by the Suwa factory before the quartz revolution completely reshaped the industry. This specific example, distinguished by its unique presentation engraving and robust mechanical health, stands out as a highly collectible and wearable piece of Seiko heritage. History King Seiko was established in the early 1960s as a direct internal rival to Grand Seiko, a strategic move by Seiko to foster competition between its Suwa and Daini factories. This rivalry pushed both divisions to produce some of the most accurate and beautifully finished wristwatches in the world. The 5600 series of movements represented the culmination of this mechanical development, offering slim, high-beat automatic calibers that met exacting precision standards. Today, vintage King Seiko models are highly sought after by enthusiasts who recognize their historical importance and exceptional value within the broader landscape of vintage horology. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-AKH-0002