Description
An August 1974 vintage Seiko Lord Matic Special 5216-7040 on its original bracelet and recently serviced. Has a beautiful green dial and its original faceted crystal with Kanji day/date at 3 o'clock. The original bracelet is signed "Seiko LM" as the Lord Matic line was positioned right under the Grand Seiko and King Seiko line at the time. The "Special" in Seiko Lord Matic Special refers to the movement, which is the second iteration of the Daini-made Lord Matic movement, the Cal. 5216, with a hi-beat 28,800 bph rate. A stunning example of a 1970s mechanical Seiko in excellent condition, with only some light scratches from wear. Measures 36 mm in diameter. We offer a flat rate for shipping on every order and 30-day free returns. We also offer a 2-month mechanical warranty for every purchase. All prices are in CAD.
Seiko Lord Matic History
The Seiko Lord Matic line was released in the late 1960s and produced well into the 1970s. It sat right under the Grand Seiko and King Seiko in the mechanical Seiko hierarchy, mirroring the position of the Seiko Lord Quartz in terms of Seiko quartz watches. The Seiko Lord Matic came in the 56xx (5605/5606) movement and also had the hi-beat (at 28,800 bph) Daini cousin, the Seiko Lord Matic Special 5206 and later the Seiko Cal. 5216 - both related to the King Seiko '52KS'. Ultimately a solid timepiece from Seiko, not quite as luxurious as the King Seiko or Grand Seiko but still far above the build of the typical Seiko 5 of the day. And yes, it is related to the other Lords, the Seiko Lord Marvel 5740 Hi-Beat 36000.
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.