{"product_id":"vintage-king-seiko-j14102-watch-1961-14k-gold-filled","title":"Vintage King Seiko J14102E Watch 1961 14k Gold Filled SD dial","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference\u003c\/strong\u003e: King Seiko J14102E\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovement\u003c\/strong\u003e: 25 Jewel manually wound\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge\u003c\/strong\u003e: October 1961\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Size\u003c\/strong\u003e: 35mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Thickness\u003c\/strong\u003e: 10.5mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLug to Lug\u003c\/strong\u003e: 43mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLugs\u003c\/strong\u003e: 18mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e: Used Seiko watch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox \u0026amp; Papers\u003c\/strong\u003e: No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase Material\u003c\/strong\u003e: 14k Gold filled\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty\u003c\/strong\u003e: 12-Months Warranty\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn good pre-owned condition, with light wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase and bezel have some light scratches and marks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunburst SD dial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWording has some light fading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully serviced manual wind movement\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal solid yellow gold hand and indices\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSigned crown shows signs of wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaired with an unworn brown leather strap\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE FIRST KING SEIKO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe early King Seiko model J14102, birthed by Daini in June 1961 and produced until September 1963, is a real stunner. This very early example sports 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, which is what we have here, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 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, like we have here. Due to their rarity and enduring brightness, SD models are highly prized by collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 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 produced watches along with the serial and model numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eInside 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA BIT OF TRIVA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDuring the 1960s and early 1970s, both factories would compete throughout all segments of the watch market with technological development and accuracy as key goals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn 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 Chronometers (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDuring 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOUR THOUGHTS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis 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, making it 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Past2PresentWatches","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58374332219779,"sku":"KS1011WO","price":645.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/2397\/4423\/files\/king-seiko-j14102e-front-_11.jpg?v=1783074559","url":"https:\/\/past2presentwatches.com\/products\/vintage-king-seiko-j14102-watch-1961-14k-gold-filled","provider":"Past2PresentWatches","version":"1.0","type":"link"}