Vintage King Seiko 4502-7001 Hi-Beat Manual Wind 1972 Silver Dial serviced UK warranty

SPECIFICATION

Reference: King Seiko 4502-7001
Movement: Calibre 4502A, manual wind
Age: October 1972
Case Size: 36mm
Case Thickness: 9mm
Lug to Lug: 42mm
Lugs: 18mm
Condition: used Seiko watch
Box and Papers: No
Case Material: Stainless steel
Warranty: 12-month mechanical warranty (UK only)

POINTS TO MENTION

• In great preowned condition with light wear
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
• Sunburst dial
• 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 epsom leather strap
  

THE WATCH

At first glance, this King Seiko is all restraint: a fine silver sunburst dial, neat hands and little unnecessary decoration. Turn it slightly and the sharply defined hour markers and angular case begin to show their character. The appeal lies in that contrast between a calm dial and purposeful geometry.

Inside is the hand-wound calibre 4502A, part of Daini Seikosha's 45-series family, beating at 36,000 vibrations an hour. It was ambitious engineering housed in a watch that never needed to advertise its technical achievements. The result is a particularly satisfying balance of precision, proportion and seventies design.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

There were two rather different King Seiko moods in 1972. Alongside the reserved lines of the 45KS, Seiko introduced the VANAC: a much bolder expression with vivid colours and more playful, faceted designs. The watches came from the same period, yet could hardly have approached the idea of a modern watch more differently.

OUR THOUGHTS

What catches our eye on this 4502-7001 is the way the light picks out the hour markers against the silver dial. The case has plenty of shape without feeling oversized, and the hand-wound 4502A gives it a character of its own. We enjoy these high-beat King Seikos because the engineering is every bit as interesting as the design; this is a good example of both working together.