King Seiko Watch Hi-Beat Special Chronometer Officially Certified 5246-6000

SPECIFICATION

Reference : King Seiko 5246-6000
Movement : 5246
Age : June 1972
Case Size : 35.5mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 40mm
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Used Seiko watch
Box & Papers : No
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty

POINTS TO MENTION

• In fantastic pre-owned condition, with light wear from use
  
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
  
• Original Seiko metal quickset wheel
  
• KS signed crown
  
• Paired with an unworn brown leather strap
  
• Fully serviced hi-beat movement

THE WATCH

Here we have a 1972 King Seiko Special Hi-Beat Chronometer Officially Certified 5246-6000. The King Seiko was produced between 1961 and 1975, it sat just below the Grand Seiko. Initially, they were built in Seiko’s Daini Seikosha factory but by 1969 they were made in both factories. The 35.5mm stainless steel monocoque case (coque in French means hull) case design, made from a solid piece of brushed and polished stainless steel, access to the movement is by removing the crystal with a special tool. The case flows over your wrist with a lug to lug length of 40mm and a case thickness of 10mm ensuring a comfortable fit on the wrist.  On the right side is a signed crown. The polished smooth bezel holds a raised crystal above a black dial. Applied baton indexes have chamfered edges that catch the light as you rotate your wrist. At 3 o’clock a framed day and date window. Elegant steel hands complemented by a sweeping tapered second hand. At 12 o’clock we have “Automatic Chronometer Officially Certified”. At 6 o’clock we have an applied KS printed underneath “Special Hi-Beat”. On the reverse, the watch details are engraved into it. Inside an Automatic King Seiko Cal. 5246, 25 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour. This Chronometer Officially Certified movement was launched in 1971.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

This 52 series of movement was the successor to the hand-wound 45 caliber and was pitted against the Seiko Suwa's 56 series of chronometers.
These movements appeared in a small number of King Seiko Special Chronometers, the best known of which are the 524X-6000s, featuring a gentle monocoque case design.

These were the first automatic Hi-Beat KS by Daini Seikosha. At a frequency of 28,800 bph, it was less than the 36,000 bph true Hi-Beat, but was regardless, significantly higher than what was the norm of that era.

The 52 caliber held its own in terms of accuracy and precision. The models with the ‘Special’ label were said to be at a standard near or even equal to the GS ‘AA’ standard.

OUR THOUGHTS

The exceptional Vintage King Seiko, a true masterpiece from the 1970s that showcases Seiko's dedication to precision, craftsmanship, and design. With an ultra-accurate Chronometer-rated movements, beautiful dial and sleek case, what's not to love about the KS 5246-6000.