King Seiko Watch J14102E vintage Gold Filled AD Dial 1962

SPECIFICATION

Reference : King Seiko J14102E
Movement : 25 Jewel manually wound
Age : July 1962
Case Size : 36mm
Case Thickness : 12mm
Lug to Lug : 41mm
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Used Seiko watch
Box & Papers : No
Case Material : Gold filled
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty

 POINTS TO MENTION

In great pre-owned condition, with light wear from use

• Case and bezel have some light scratches
• Fully serviced movement
  
• Dial has a very light blemish by 8 o-clock indice
• Signed Seiko crown
• Paired with an unworn brown genuine leather strap
  

THE FIRST KING SEIKO 

The early King Seiko model J14102E, birthed by Daini in June 1961 and produced until September 1963, was a real stunner. It sported a gold-filled case with solid gold hands and dial markers. The elongated lugs with rounded ends make this early model easily recognizable. A year later, in June 1962, the stainless steel model made its entrance. Some examples were adorned with solid white gold hands and dial markers, It's believed that stainless steel cases made up only 25% of all models produced, these watches weren't just eye-candy; they were precision powerhouses.

The star logo on the dial tells a fascinating story. It's used to identify the material of the hour markers on the dial. A triangle superimposed with three lines denotes an applied dial (AD) with gold or rhodium-plated markers. An eight-pointed star pierced by a four-point hollow star signals a special dial (SD) with markers of solid yellow or white gold. Due to their rarity and enduring brightness, SD models are highly prized by collectors.

The case back of every first-generation King Seiko features a distinctive King Seiko shield, a vertically striped field overlaid with a cross, crown, and three diamonds. This shield is a King Seiko signature and is even retained in the modern King Seiko reissue. Inside the case back you will find a 'tsuru' or crane insignia which marked all of Daini producued watches along with the serial and model numbers. 

Inside the watch is a manually wound 25 jewel calibre that represents the pinnacle of Dainis development at the time, although the J14102E were never designated a calibre number, the movements were given individual serial numbers. The movement inherits the robust qualities of the Cronos movement, on which the King Seiko movement was based.

A BIT OF TRIVA

In 1959, Seiko split up their Suwa subsidiary into two separate entities—Suwa Seikosha and Daini Seikosha—to promote friendly competition and product development within the company, with both operating independent of the other, with the idea this would incite competition and good-natured one-upmanship to produce better products.  In the race to compete with Swiss watchmaking, the Suwa factory started producing its famous Grand Seiko line, and the Daini, their King Seiko - both considered top-grade Seiko at the time.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, both factories would compete throughout all segments of the watch market with technological development and accuracy as key goals. 

In late 1960, the Suwa factory finally obtained a long held goal of producing a chronometer-rated watch that exceeded recognized standards of the Official Suisse des Chronometres (COSC); however, Seiko's use of the word chronometer on the dial appeared to have irked the Swiss, watchmaking industry, as no watch - then - had been submitted to the COSC for official testing.

During this time, Daini Seikosha hired a young designer by the name of Taro Tanaka, the man who would in 1962 create a set of design principles that he called “The Grammar of Design.” His rules would go on to fundamentally change Seiko’s design language.

OUR THOUGHTS

This first generation KS is an unsung hero of luxury watches and a Japanese horology gem, its renowned for its sleek, timeless design and superior mechanical movement, this gold filled example will make a coveted addition to any serious collection. Purchasing from us ensures that you receive an authentic, meticulously inspected watch in the best possible condition.  Trust us to provide not just a watch, but a piece of horological history, that we have brought through to the present so you can take it on into the future.