Vintage King Seiko Sharing Thread

ibis888 · Dec 23, 2025

After a recent trip to Japan and seeing hundreds of different watches, I became enamored with 1960s/1970s King and Grand Seikos and ended up grabbing one for myself.

I don’t see any threads on vintage King Seikos so I thought I would start a companion thread to the vintage Grand Seiko thread by sharing my latest acquisition and starting the King Seiko conversation.

I found an early 1970 King Seiko 5625-7040, which contains a "hi-beat" automatic movement (only 28,800vph), with date complication and hacking. The 5625 movement was chronometer certified, complete with serial number engraved on the movement itself - prior to the Swiss excluding Japanese movements. The "chronometer officially certified" on the dial is a nice touch.

What really appealed to me about this -7040 case design was how closely I think it adheres to the Tanaka "grammar of design" principles. This example still retains a lot of the original brushed and high polished finishing and very sharp edges.. it truly amazing to wear.. with light sparkling from all angles.

Please post your King Seiko watches and thoughts!

__ryan__ · Dec 23, 2025

Thanks for starting a thread.

Here's my 44-9990 from 1965. With a case size of about 36.5 mm, I find it to be very wearable. I'm also quite fond of the lugs on this reference, and the movement is a pleasure to wind.

ibis888 · Dec 23, 2025

__ryan__
Thanks for starting a thread.

Here's my 44-9990 from 1965. With a case size of about 36.5 mm, I find it to be very wearable. I'm also quite fond of the lugs on this reference, and the movement is a pleasure to wind.

Beautiful watch! I saw several of those 44KSs on display.

Agree, with the complex lugs the watches do seem to wear a bit bigger than 36mm.

ibis888 · Dec 26, 2025

While applicable to both Grand and King Seiko, I want to add a reference to Taro Tanaka's "grammar of design" which is one of the primary reasons I am so attracted to vintage Grand and King Seiko. The watches are unique and not just copies of what was coming out of Switzerland at the time.

Much more available with google but the 'Nine Enduring Elements of the Grand Seiko Style' are:
1. Double width index at 12 o'clock
2. Multi faceted rectangular markers (very rarely roman or arabic numerals)
3. Highly polished bezel
4. Highly polished planes and two dimensional surfaces
5. Half recessed crown
6. Flat dial
7. Multi faceted hour and minute hands
8. Curved sideline
9. Reverse slanted bezel wall and case side

I believe that it really was first fully implemented with the 44 Grand Seiko watches and not all of the case types have it but elements can be seen in many King Seiko's including both watches above.

SOG53 · Dec 29, 2025

ibis888
After a recent trip to Japan and seeing hundreds of different watches, I became enamored with 1960s/1970s King and Grand Seikos and ended up grabbing one for myself.

I don’t see any threads on vintage King Seikos so I thought I would start a companion thread to the vintage Grand Seiko thread by sharing my latest acquisition and starting the King Seiko conversation.

I found an early 1970 King Seiko 5625-7040, which contains a "hi-beat" automatic movement (only 28,800vph), with date complication and hacking. The 5625 movement was chronometer certified, complete with serial number engraved on the movement itself - prior to the Swiss excluding Japanese movements. The "chronometer officially certified" on the dial is a nice touch.

What really appealed to me about this -7040 case design was how closely I think it adheres to the Tanaka "grammar of design" principles. This example still retains a lot of the original brushed and high polished finishing and very sharp edges.. it truly amazing to wear.. with light sparkling from all angles.

Please post your King Seiko watches and thoughts!

Beautiful example this chronometer reference is at top of list. And very nice strap wear it in good health

SOG53 · Dec 29, 2025

__ryan__
Thanks for starting a thread.

Here's my 44-9990 from 1965. With a case size of about 36.5 mm, I find it to be very wearable. I'm also quite fond of the lugs on this reference, and the movement is a pleasure to wind.

Gorgeous those lugs are so distinctive! And the shield medallion is great. Congrats

SOG53 · Dec 29, 2025

King Seikos I have known, (only the gold 4402 still in my possession)

4402-8000, gold cap , Sept 1966 with shield medallion

5625-7000, 1969

4502-7000, 1969 with pink patina which these are prone to develop

So many lovely KS references!

ibis888 · Dec 31, 2025

SOG53
King Seikos I have known, (only the gold 4402 still in my possession)

4402-8000, gold cap , Sept 1966 with shield medallion

5625-7000, 1969

4502-7000, 1969 with pink patina which these are prone to develop

So many lovely KS references!

That pink patina on the 4502 is great.

SOG53 · Dec 31, 2025

ibis888
That pink patina on the 4502 is great.

For some reason those dials can develop uniform pink or even deep purple patina.

The photo with 3 watches are all on Torre straps he had a pink leather. I included the strap in sale as too good a match it now lives in Wales with happy new owner.

Risto · Jan 12, 2026

I am shooting some GS and KS for a friend. These are not safe queens. Just your average vintage watches. Straps from Fluco. But they deserved some great photography. I did not retouch off any scratches and marks.