Description
A November 1970 vintage King Seiko Hi-Beat Chronometer 45-8010 on a 56KS bracelet and recently serviced. This classic vintage King Seiko chronometer is in excellent original condition, including the caseback medallion and original crown, and was recently serviced. It has only some scratches from wear and the "T" in 'Certified' slightly faded. This King Seiko features the 'Chronometer' King Seiko Cal. 45 or '45KS' with no date and a hi-beat 36,000 bph rate. A high-end King Seiko that measures 37 mm in diameter. We offer a flat rate for shipping on every order and 30-day free returns. All prices are in CAD.
King Seiko History
The first King Seiko was released in 1961, the year after the first Grand Seiko. The first King Seikos were manual winding, with 25-jewel movements, that were not internally tested chronometers. This was followed by the release of the 44KS in 1964. The 44KS was a remake of the 44GS with a manual winding movement - 18,000 bph, and a screwdown case back. In 1968, the 45KS was introduced, a hi-beat movement meant to compete with the 45GS but generally less accurate and with less finishing. The Grand Seiko was also chronometer grade, in general King Seiko was always slightly under King Seiko in terms of accuracy and finishing - made in the Daini factory. And while the first two were produced by Daini, one of the most impressive King Seikos, the 56KS, was actually made by Suwa! The 56KS, the one on sale (5626 movement), was introduced in 1968 and featured an automatic, 28,800 bph movement with 25 jewels and a 47-hour power reserve. It was also used in the Grand Seiko, Lord Matic, and Seiko chronometers. The 56KS watches were all marked ‘Hi-Beat’ on the dial despite being only 28,800 bph (instead of 36,000). The 56KS was made until 1975...
Seiko History
Seiko was founded as a watch store in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori in Tokyo. By the 1890s it was producing both clocks and pocket watches as Seikosha. And in 1913 Seiko produced Japan's first wristwatch, the Seiko Laurel. Seiko had beat out several other Japanese companies, including other Tokyo clock companies like Tokyo Clock Co. and Japan Pocket Watch Manufacturing Co. By the mid-20th century Seiko produced some of its most important wristwatches that set the stage for its future. In the early 1950s Seiko produced the Seiko Super which then became the Marvel. And in 1960 Seiko released the first Grand Seiko. This marked the beginning of not only the Grand Seiko but also the King Seiko and Lord Matic lines to follow.
Then, in 1969, Seiko released the Astron, the watch that would upend the Swiss watchmaking industry. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Seiko continues to produce extraordinary quartz watches, along with many legendary vintage Seiko dive watches. In modern times Seiko continues to innovate, especially through its Grand Seiko brand.