Seiko Lord Matic 蒼幻 (Sōgen) 5606-7290 (1973)

Now available at auction from Second Vintage This striking Seiko Lord Matic represents the pinnacle of 1970s Japanese aesthetic design, combining a vibrant colorful dial with the distinct geometry of the era. The Lord Matic line was positioned as a high-grade automatic offering, sitting just below the Grand Seiko and King Seiko lines, and this example features the highly collectible faceted crystal and a captivating color palette. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Matic Reference Number: 5606-7290 Serial Number: 300468 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5606 Dial: Deep blue sunburst with gold accents Case Size: 37 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1973 Condition: Good vintage condition. The watch shows honest signs of age and wear consistent with a piece from the early 1970s, featuring a character-rich dial and case. Timegrapher results indicate the movement is operational. Dial and Hands The dial is executed in a magnificent deep blue sunburst finish that plays beautifully with the light. It features applied gold-tone hour markers and matching gold-tone baton hands, creating a luxurious contrast against the dark background. A framed day and date window is positioned at the 3 o'clock mark. The dial surface shows visible patina and aging, particularly around the upper indices, which adds to the genuine vintage character of the piece. The Seiko LM and 25 Jewels logos are applied in gold, maintaining the coherent design language. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features the sharp, geometric lines characteristic of Seiko's "Grammar of Design" philosophy from this period. It retains its distinctive shape, though there are visible surface scratches and handling marks throughout. The watch is fitted with its original and highly desirable faceted cut-glass crystal. This crystal creates unique light distortions across the dial but does show noticeable scratches and wear across the facets, which is common for these specific vintage models. Movement Powering this timepiece is the robust Seiko Caliber 5606 automatic movement. This 25-jewel movement was a high-end workhorse of its time, featuring both hand-winding and hacking capabilities. The movement is clean and the rotor spins freely. Timegrapher testing indicates the watch is running at +55 seconds per day, which indicates healthy movement function within vintage tolerances. Strap The watch comes fitted on its original stainless steel multi-link bracelet, which is a significant collector's advantage. The bracelet is comfortable and flexible, terminating in a signed clasp featuring the LM logo. It accommodates a wrist size of approximately 18.5cm. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. It is an honest example that has been worn and enjoyed. The case shows scratches and wear but no major deformation. The dial shows signs of aging and patina. The faceted crystal has visible scratches from use. The movement is functioning, and the quickset day/date features operate as intended. Dimensions The case measures 37mm in diameter excluding the crown, offering a classic vintage fit that remains present on the wrist due to the angular case design. Remarks This Seiko Lord Matic is a fantastic example of the 1970s "Disco Volante" or funky era of watch design. The combination of the faceted crystal, the deep blue dial, and the gold accents makes it a true conversation starter. Finding these with the original bracelet is becoming increasingly difficult, making this a wonderful opportunity for the enthusiast looking to add a piece of authentic Japanese horological history to their collection. History Introduced in 1968, the Lord Matic (LM) series was Seiko's mid-range luxury line, utilizing the sophisticated 5606 movement which was thinner and more advanced than many of its predecessors. The LM line was instrumental in solidifying Seiko's reputation for high-quality, mass-produced mechanical watches that could compete with Swiss counterparts in both accuracy and style. The 5606 caliber famously served as the base for many Chronometer-grade movements, proving its inherent engineering quality. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SAJ-0021