Seiko - King Seiko Hi-Beat - No reserve price - 5626-5010 - Men - 1970

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This distinguished timepiece represents a fascinating era in Japanese watchmaking, capturing the bold design language and mechanical ambition of the early 1970s. The King Seiko line was born from an internal rivalry that pushed the boundaries of precision and finishing, resulting in watches that rivaled the best of the Swiss industry. Encased in a striking square profile, this Hi-Beat model perfectly encapsulates the transition into the experimental and highly geometric designs of the decade, offering collectors a compelling blend of horological pedigree and distinct vintage character. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Hi-Beat Reference Number: 5626-5010 Serial Number: 047245 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5626 Dial: Silver vertically brushed dial with applied indices, showing a well-preserved texture and clean overall appearance with minor age-consistent wear. Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest signs of daily wear and a beautifully textured dial. Dial and Hands The dial is a masterclass in subtle texture, featuring a striking vertical brushing that catches the light beautifully and shifts in tone depending on the angle. It is adorned with applied, faceted baton indices featuring black inserts that provide excellent contrast against the silver background. The applied Seiko logo sits proudly below the twelve o'clock position, while the KS Hi-Beat branding and the Suwa Seikosha logo are sharply printed in black above six o'clock. A framed day-date aperture at three o'clock displays the day in a vibrant blue for Saturday, adding a touch of color to the monochromatic layout. The dial remains in very good condition, presenting a clean and even surface with only faint signs of historical aging visible under close inspection. The original black-painted hour and minute hands exhibit noticeable age-consistent wear, with visible chipping and patina along their surfaces, while the slender sweeping seconds hand remains well-preserved. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features a distinct, robust square or "TV-screen" profile that is quintessentially 1970s. The case architecture highlights a broad, vertically brushed front bezel that transitions into polished case flanks and integrated lug structures. The case remains thick and unpolished in appearance, displaying honest signs of wear including surface scratches, scuffs, and minor edge nicks consistent with decades of use. The solid stainless steel caseback is clearly engraved with the KS logo, Seiko branding, and the Waterproof designation, alongside the reference and serial numbers which remain crisp and fully legible. The square crystal protects the dial and shows some surface scratches, light abrasions, and minor edge wear that align with the overall vintage condition of the timepiece. Movement Powering this timepiece is the esteemed Seiko Caliber 5626, an automatic high-beat movement produced by the Suwa Seikosha factory. Known for its sophisticated engineering and smooth sweep, this caliber was a cornerstone of the King Seiko lineup during the early 1970s. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. Recording -70 to -75 seconds per day on the timegrapher. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct black leather strap, featuring contrasting brown stitching that complements the vintage aesthetic of the piece. The strap is secured with a classic stainless steel pin buckle and shows gentle signs of handling. Condition This King Seiko is presented in good vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally attractive, retaining its sharp vertical brushing with only minor signs of age, while the hands show distinct wear to their black finish. The stainless steel case exhibits moderate scratches and scuffs throughout, reflecting an honest life of wear while maintaining its strong geometric lines. The caseback engravings remain sharp and distinct. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks With its bold square case and highly textured dial, this King Seiko 5626-5010 is a superb representation of 1970s design philosophy. The combination of the high-beat movement and the distinctive aesthetic makes it a standout piece for any collector focused on the golden age of Japanese watchmaking. History Introduced in the 1960s, the King Seiko collection was created by the Daini Seikosha factory to compete directly with the Grand Seiko line produced by the Suwa Seikosha factory. This internal rivalry drove both divisions to achieve extraordinary levels of accuracy, finishing, and design. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the lines began to blur as Suwa also produced King Seiko models, such as the 56KS series seen here. The 56KS family represented a peak in automated, high-precision manufacturing, offering high-beat movements in a variety of avant-garde case shapes that perfectly captured the spirit of the era. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-KHX-0001