Vintage King Seiko 45-7001 watch Hi-Beat 1971 Stainless steel

SPECIFICATION

Reference: King Seiko 45-7001
Movement: Manually wound 4500
Age: May 1971
Case Size: 36mm
Case Thickness: 9mm
Lug to Lug: 42mm
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
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
• Sunburst dial has 2 light marks
• Fully serviced manually wound movement
• High Beat movement 36,000 BPH
• The gold medallion is in great condition
• KS sign crown
• Paired with an unworn black leather strap

The King Seiko 45-7001 is powered by the acclaimed hand-wound Calibre 4500A, part of the legendary 45-series movement family. Running at a high-beat frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz), it was engineered for exceptional accuracy and remains one of the finest movements produced by King Seiko. 

The King Seiko 45-7001 captures the refined simplicity that defines Seiko's finest vintage designs. Its clean, no-date sunburst dial creates a perfectly balanced layout, complemented by sharply faceted hour markers, slender dauphine hands, and crisp applied branding. The angular case, shaped according to Seiko's Grammar of Design philosophy, combines polished surfaces with crisp edges to produce a striking play of light. Elegant yet purposeful, the 45-7001 is a timeless example of Japanese watch design, where every detail is carefully considered and beautifully executed.

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 were 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 linen 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

The 45-7001 is one of those watches that becomes more impressive the longer you spend with it. Its design is understated at first glance, but the sharp case lines, perfectly balanced dial, and exceptional finishing reveal themselves over time. Nothing feels excessive or decorative for its own sake, every element has a purpose. It's a watch that reflects confidence through restraint, making it just as compelling today as it was when it was first produced.