Vintage King Seiko 5625-7121 Wristwatch Hi-Beat Automatic 1973 Serviced UK Warranty

SPECIFICATION Reference: 5625-7121 Movement: Seiko calibre 5625 Automatic Age: May 1973 Case Size: 36mm Case Thickness: 10mm Lug to Lug: 42mm Lugs: 18mm Condition: Used Seiko watch Box and Papers: No Case Material: Stainless steel Warranty: 12-months mechanical UK Warranty POINTS TO MENTION In great pre-owned condition, with light wear Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks Brushed dial Fully serviced Hi-beat movement Upgraded metal quickset gear KS signed crown Paired with an unworn black stitched leather strap THE WATCH There's something unmistakable about the King Seiko designs of the early 1970s, and this 5625-7121 is a fine example. The polished bezel sits proudly within a beautifully sculpted stainless steel case. It catches the light and gives the watch its distinctive character. The dial provides a lovely contrast, with its restrained detailing and finely applied hour markers allowing the case design to take centre stage. Inside sits Seiko's calibre 5625, a high-beat automatic movement running at 28,800 beats per hour. It belongs to a remarkable period of Japanese watchmaking when King Seiko was producing watches of genuine quality and precision, with a level of finishing that still impresses us at the bench today. More than fifty years later, it's easy to understand why these watches have earned such a loyal following. A BIT OF TRIVIA Here's something that might surprise you. In 1973, you could buy two different King Seikos, both proudly carrying the words 'Hi-Beat' on their dials, yet their movements ticked at quite different speeds. The hand-wound 45KS, made by Daini Seikosha, ran at 36,000 vibrations per hour, while this automatic 56KS, produced by Suwa Seikosha, ran at 28,800. Both factories belonged to Seiko, and both were pursuing exceptional mechanical timekeeping, but they didn't always agree on the best way to achieve it. It's one of the things we love about vintage Seiko: even within the same company, there was room for different ideas and some wonderfully spirited competition. OUR THOUGHTS Some vintage watches are so formal that you feel obliged to dress for them. We like that this King Seiko takes a different approach. It has an everyday confidence without losing its finer details. If you enjoy a watch that rewards a closer look rather than shouting for attention, there is a great deal to appreciate here.