Vintage King Seiko 4502-7001 Wristwatch Hi-Beat 1973 Gold Plate

SPECIFICATION

Reference: King Seiko 4502-7001
Movement: Manually wound 4502
Age: May 1973
Case Size: 36mm
Case Thickness: 9mm
Lug to Lug: 42mm
Lugs: 18mm
Condition: used Seiko watch
Box & Papers: No
Case Material: Gold Plate
Warranty: 12-Months Warranty

POINTS TO MENTION 

• In great preowned condition with light wear
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
• Plating has some light wear
• 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 brown leather strap

This King Seiko 4502-7001 features the manually wound, high beat (as marked on the dial) calibre 4502A. As part of the famous 45~ series of King Seiko movements, the 4502A runs in 36,000 bph, or 5 Hz, which provides greater accuracy to the wearer. The calibre 4502A also instituted an instantaneous date change for the framed aperture at three o'clock.
The gold-plated Seiko 4502-7001 carries the same sharp, disciplined design, but with a noticeably warmer and more expressive presence.

The case retains its crisp, angular geometry, yet the gold plating softens the edges visually, giving the watch a richer, more luxurious feel. Light plays differently across the surfaces, where steel feels cool and precise, the gold tone adds warmth and depth, accentuating the polished facets and brushing in a more understated, elegant way.

On the dial, the gold case pairs beautifully with lighter tones, often creating a subtle contrast that feels refined rather than flashy. The applied markers and dauphine hands, already sharply cut, take on an almost jewellery-like quality in this finish, catching the light with a gentle glow instead of a sharp gleam. The absence of lume keeps the look clean and uninterrupted, enhancing its dressy character.

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 King Seiko 45 is highly regarded for its hand-wound, high-beat 36,000 vph movement, admired for its accuracy and exceptional engineering. Produced during an era of intense competition between Seiko’s internal divisions, it embodies the brand’s pursuit of technical excellence and sophisticated design. Its minimalist aesthetic, strong timekeeping performance, historical significance, and relative rarity have made it a highly sought-after model among collectors who appreciate vintage Seiko at its finest.