King Seiko Hi-Beat – Ref. 4502-7010 (November 1970, Japan)

This elegant King Seiko Hi-Beat, reference 4502-7010, dates from November 1970 and is an outstanding example of Japanese watchmaking from the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was completely disassembled, cleaned, and professionally serviced in Japan in October 2025 .

The simple silver dial with its fine sunburst finish, the black baton indices, and the original signed KS crown lend the watch a timeless elegance. The case design with its sharply defined surfaces showcases the "Grammar of Design" philosophy typical of Seiko during this era.

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Technical data

• Reference: 4502-7010
• Serial number: 0Nxxxx (November 1970)
• Movement: Caliber 4502A , manual winding, 25 jewels, 36,000 A/h (Hi-Beat)
• Case: Stainless steel, screwed-on base (plaque missing)
• Diameter: approx. 38 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 42.1 mm
• Height: 8.9 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Crown: Original with KS logo
• Strap: New black leather strap (total weight 49 g)
• Revision: Full revision in Japan (October 2025)

Design and background

The King Seiko 4502-7010 was produced by the Daini Seikosha factory and was among the last purely mechanical King Seiko models before the quartz era began. The Hi-Beat Caliber 4502A operated at 36,000 vibrations per hour and was a technical masterpiece of its time – designed to achieve the highest accuracy.

The decision to forgo automatic winding in favor of a purely manual-winding movement underscores the commitment to precision and longevity. The minimalist design of the Reference 4502-7010 – with its flat case, clean lines, and finely satin-finished surfaces – perfectly embodies Japanese aesthetics: restraint, perfection, and functionality in harmonious balance.

Historical context

In the late 1960s, there was an intense rivalry between the two Seiko factories:

• Suwa Seikosha , responsible for the Grand Seiko ,
• Daini Seikosha , responsible for the King Seiko .

Both independently developed high-frequency movements to maximize precision. While Suwa focused on luxurious finishing and chronometer-level accuracy, Daini sought technical purity – especially in the 45xx calibers , considered the finest hand-wound movements Seiko has ever produced.

This internal competition significantly advanced Seiko's development as a globally leading watch manufacturer and ultimately led to the creation of the modern Grand Seiko philosophy.

Condition

Excellent condition with only minor signs of wear. The case has sharp edges, the dial is original and in superb condition. The crown bears the original KS logo, but the case back plaque is missing, which is common with this model. The new leather strap perfectly complements the elegant appearance.

Warranty (used)
This is a used item. The limitation period for claims based on defects (statutory warranty) is 12 months from delivery.

Notice
As this is a pre-owned watch, water resistance cannot be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.