King Seiko Watch 4502-7001 Hi-Beat 1973 Gold Medallion

SPECIFICATION

Reference : Seiko 4502-7001
Movement : 4502
Age : July 1973
Case Size : 36mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 41.5mm
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : used Seiko watch
Box & Papers : No
Case Material : Stainless steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty

POINTS TO MENTION

• In great preowned condition, with light wear from use
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
• Fully serviced movement
  
• High Beat movement 36,000 BPH
  
• The gold medallion is in great condition
  
• KS sign crown 
  
• Paired with an unworn dark blue leather strap 
  

This King Seiko 4502-7001 features the manually wound, high beat (as marked on the dial) caliber 4502A. As part of the famous 45~ series of King Seiko movements, the 4502A runs in 36,000 bph, or 5 Hz, which provides greater accuracy to the wearer. The caliber 4502A also instituted an instantaneous date change for the framed aperture at three o'clock.

The applied hour markers on the sunburst silver dial are neatly faceted, as is the handset. Both the markers and hands are executed without lume and instead feature a clean black striping through their central portion. The case is also a highlight here; it shares a close similarity to the famous Grand Seiko case designs, with clean lines, sloping angles, and a high polish throughout. One of our favorite details is the gold King Seiko medallion placed in the center of the caseback, a testament to the quality of construction and design present in the watch.

A BIT OF TRIVA

The inter-corporate competition between Grand Seiko and King Seiko in the 1960s and '70s is a story that has fascinated all who have heard it. At that point in time, Seiko had two factories to create watches. Grand Seiko was produced at the Suwa factory; King Seiko was produced at the Daini factory. The rationale between having these two separate factories was to promote internal competition in order to build the absolute best watches possible. This 1970 King Seiko is an excellent example of exactly that.

The 45 King Seiko is the first 10-beat watch manufactured by Daini Seikosha Kameido Factory.
The 45 Kings became the new-generation 10 beat, thin high-end machines that was released and officially certified by the Japanese  Chronometer Inspection Institute (est 1968) As for the manufacturing method, the watch was assembled separately from the normal line, carefully adjusted and inspected before being cased.
The case features large lugs, and the silver dial is a wonderful design that gives a simple yet powerful impression. It is a masterpiece of its time, and still today its awesome.

OUR THOUGHTS

These King Seiko's 4502 are getting harder and harder to find in this great condition. One of the icons from Seiko's past it is a truly timeless peice that is just waiting for the next custodian to take this on into the future and make and enjoy more history.