King Seiko 56KS Hi-Beat 5625-7110 – April 1972 – unpolished, Suwa, serviced

This King Seiko 56KS Hi-Beat, Ref. 5625-7110 from April 1972, is one of the most sought-after classic Dress Seikos ever – and is preserved here in an unpolished condition with sharp edges, a rarity for this model.

King Seiko, Grand Seiko and the Daini-Suwa rivalry: To understand this watch, one must know Seiko's famous internal rivalry. In the 1960s, Seiko manufactured watches in two competing factories – Daini Seikosha and Suwa Seikosha. Suwa created the Grand Seiko in 1960; Daini responded in 1961 with the King Seiko. Both manufacturers pushed each other to peak performance, and it was precisely this competition that propelled Seiko to the top of the world within a few years. King Seiko positioned itself as the line directly below Grand Seiko – technically almost on par, simpler in appearance, often the connoisseur's choice for those seeking GS quality without the GS surcharge. The 56 caliber used here belongs to the family that powered both King Seiko and the 56 Grand Seiko and Lord Matic in the early 1970s generation; the lightning "S" on the dial indicates manufacturing in the Suwa factory.

Design – "Grammar of Design": The 5625-7110 is a prime example of the "Grammar of Design" developed by Taro Tanaka: razor-sharp, distortion-free edges, broad mirror-polished (Zaratsu) surfaces and a flat crystal edge that refracts light in a controlled manner. Precisely because this piece is unpolished, these edges are still crisp and unblemished – a condition that is rarely found in 56KS today, as most examples have been over-polished over the decades.

The Movement: The caliber 5625A is an automatic movement with additional manual winding and seconds hack (hacking), 25 jewels, 28,800 vibrations/hour (Hi-Beat), date with quick set and approximately 40 hours power reserve. A subtlety for technology enthusiasts: The regulation can be done via a small adjustment screw between the lower lugs, without removing the movement from the case.

About the watch itself: The silver sunburst dial with sharply faceted indices, dauphine hands, applied "SEIKO" logo and "KS Hi-Beat" signature is clear and clean; the date is in the framed window at 3 o'clock. The one-piece stainless steel case back (opening via the crystal) bears the embossed KS emblem, "Water Resistant", "Stainless Steel", the reference 5625-7110 and the serial number 240802 / Japan A. The crown is KS-signed.

Condition and Service: The watch is in very good, unpolished condition. It was professionally and completely serviced in Japan in spring 2026 (complete disassembly, cleaning, oiling, regulation – photographically documented) and acquired directly from the watchmaker; it runs perfectly. It is supplied on a new, high-quality black leather strap.

Measurements: Diameter approx. 36.5 mm (without crown), Lug-to-Lug 41.8 mm, Height 10 mm, Lug width 18 mm. Weight including new leather strap approx. 49 g.

Technical Data

• Brand: King Seiko (キングセイコー)
• Model / Series: 56KS Hi-Beat
• Reference: 5625-7110 (Dial code 5625-7110 T)
• Caliber: Seiko 5625A, automatic with manual winding and seconds hack, 25 jewels, 28,800 bph (Hi-Beat), date with quick set, approx. 40 hrs. power reserve, external fine regulation
• Production Date: April 1972 (Serial number 240802: 2 = 1972, 4 = April)
• Origin: Suwa Seikosha, Japan (Lightning "S" on the dial)
• Case: Stainless steel, one-piece (opening via the crystal), "Grammar of Design" form, unpolished
• Case Diameter: approx. 36.5 mm (without crown)
• Height: 10 mm
• Lug-to-Lug: 41.8 mm
• Lug Width: 18 mm
• Strap: new, high-quality black leather strap
• Weight: approx. 49 g (incl. strap)
• Dial: silver, sunburst, sharply faceted indices, dauphine hands, date at 3
• Crown: Original crown with KS logo
• Crystal: Acrylic glass (flat)
• Water Resistance (original): "Water Resistant" (no longer tested, no guarantee)
• Condition:
  • Movement professionally and completely serviced in Japan in spring 2026 (documented), runs perfectly
  • Case very good and unpolished, sharp edges preserved
  • Dial clear and clean

Special Features

• Genuine King Seiko – the line directly below Grand Seiko, from the internal Daini-Suwa rivalry
• Unpolished condition with sharp Grammar-of-Design edges – rare for 56KS
• 56 series movement family – related to 56 Grand Seiko (5646) and Lord Matic (5606); Suwa manufacturing
• Automatic with manual winding, hacking and external fine regulation
• KS-signed crown, embossed KS emblem on the case back
• Completely serviced in Japan (spring 2026), documented

Warranty (used)
This is a used vintage watch, professionally serviced in Japan in spring 2026. We provide the statutory warranty for used goods of 12 months. Age and use-related marks do not constitute a defect.

Note
Despite the historical case back inscription "Water Resistant", this vintage watch is not (no longer) waterproof; water resistance is not guaranteed. To protect the movement and leather strap, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.