Seiko - King Seiko Hi-Beat - 5625-7000 - Men - 1969

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The King Seiko line represents a golden era of Japanese watchmaking, born from the fierce and legendary internal rivalry between Seiko's Suwa and Daini factories. Designed to push the boundaries of precision and aesthetics, the King Seiko models adopted the famous Grammar of Design principles, characterized by sharp lines, flat surfaces, and highly legible dials. This remarkable 56KS generation timepiece perfectly encapsulates that ethos, offering a sophisticated Hi-Beat automatic movement paired with a beautifully proportioned gold-toned case. It is a quintessential vintage dress watch that offers tremendous historical value and enduring style for the discerning collector. Brand: Seiko Model: King Seiko Hi-Beat Reference Number: 5625-7000 Serial Number: 920800 Movement: Automatic Caliber 5625 Dial: Silver sunburst with applied gold-tone and black faceted indices, exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Seiko Gold Plated (SGP) with Stainless Steel caseback Production Year: 1969 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest case wear and a beautifully preserved dial Dial and Hands The silver sunburst dial is a masterclass in mid-century Japanese design, reflecting light beautifully across its finely brushed radial texture. It features crisp black sans-serif typography for the "SEIKO AUTOMATIC" branding at the top and the "KS HI-BEAT" designation with the Suwa factory logo at the bottom. The dial furniture consists of striking applied gold-tone faceted hour markers, each detailed with a central black stripe to enhance legibility against the bright dial background. A framed date window sits neatly at the three o'clock position. The matching gold-tone dauphine hands also feature central black inserts, maintaining perfect visual harmony. A close visual inspection reveals the dial is in stunning vintage condition, remaining exceptionally clean and free from moisture marks, spotting, or significant discoloration, presenting a bright and highly attractive face. Case and Crystal The 36 mm Seiko Gold Plated case showcases the iconic sharp, angular lug profile that defines the brand's historic design language. The transition between the case flanks and the faceted lugs remains visible, though the case shows honest, age-consistent wear, including fine surface scratches and slight softening of the most prominent edges from normal handling over the decades. The gold plating presents a warm, rich tone throughout. The original signed KS crown is present and well-preserved. Turning the watch over reveals a stainless steel caseback featuring the highly coveted gold KS medallion, which is in remarkably crisp condition with deep, legible engravings. The watch is fitted with its original Hardlex crystal, featuring a classic flat profile in keeping with Seiko’s Grammar of Design, and it remains clear and well-preserved, offering an unobstructed view of the pristine dial beneath while showing only minor signs of use. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Seiko Caliber 5625, an automatic Hi-Beat movement renowned for its smooth sweep and robust engineering. The movement details and factory codes are clearly indicated on the lower edge of the dial and the caseback. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. The timegrapher result is -24s/day. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct brown leather strap featuring a classic alligator grain texture. It is detailed with contrasting yellow stitching that perfectly complements the warm tones of the gold-plated case and the dial furniture, securing to the wrist with a standard gold-tone pin buckle. Condition This King Seiko is in good vintage condition overall. The case exhibits normal vintage wear and handling marks typical of a gold-plated watch from this era, with an authentic and unpolished appearance. The clear highlight of this piece is the magnificent condition of the dial and hands, which have been preserved exceptionally well, alongside the crisp gold caseback medallion. Dimensions The watch measures a classic 36 mm in diameter excluding the crown, offering a refined and elegant profile on the wrist. The proportions are perfectly balanced, making it an ideal dress watch that slides effortlessly under a tailored cuff while maintaining enough presence for daily wear. Remarks Finding a vintage King Seiko with such a clean dial and an intact, sharp caseback medallion is becoming increasingly difficult. This reference 5625-7000 offers an accessible yet highly prestigious entry into vintage Japanese horology, combining high-frequency mechanical performance with timeless design. It is a piece that commands respect from seasoned collectors and enthusiasts alike. History Introduced in the 1960s, the King Seiko collection was Daini Seikosha's answer to Suwa Seikosha's Grand Seiko, igniting an internal competition that drove Seiko to international dominance in chronometry and design. By the time the 56KS series was introduced, Suwa had taken over the production of these high-beat automatic movements, blending the best of both factories' innovations. The 56KS models are celebrated for their reliability, slim profiles, and adherence to Taro Tanaka's Grammar of Design, making them some of the most historically significant and visually appealing vintage watches ever produced by Seiko. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-SKH-0006