King Seiko 56KS Hi-Beat 5625-7111 – Feb. 1973 – unpolished, Suwa, serviced

A true connoisseur's piece: a King Seiko 56KS Hi-Beat, Ref. 5625-7111 from February 1973, preserved in a very beautiful, unpolished condition with sharp edges – precisely the originality that makes these models so coveted by collectors.

King Seiko, Grand Seiko and the Daini-Suwa Rivalry: King Seiko was created in 1961 by Daini Seikosha as a direct response to the Grand Seiko launched a year earlier by Suwa Seikosha. This internal rivalry between two competing manufacturers propelled Seiko to the top of the world within a few years. King Seiko positioned itself as the line immediately below Grand Seiko – technically almost on par, simpler and sportier in appearance. The 56 caliber used here belongs to the generation of the early 1970s, which powered King Seiko, the 56 Grand Seiko, and the Lord Matic; the lightning bolt "S" on the dial refers to its manufacture at the Suwa factory.

Design – "Grammar of Design": The 5625-7111 embodies the "Grammar of Design" coined by Taro Tanaka: razor-sharp, distortion-free edges, wide mirror-polished (Zaratsu) surfaces, and a flat crystal bezel. Because this example is unpolished, these edges are still crisp and unbuffed – a condition that has become rare for 56KS today, as most have been over-polished over the decades.

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

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 5625-7111, and the serial number 323561 / Japan A. The crown is KS-signed.

Condition and Service: The watch is in very beautiful, unpolished condition with only light, typical signs of wear on the case. It was professionally and completely serviced in Japan in spring 2026 (complete disassembly, cleaning, oiling, regulation – photographically documented) and purchased directly from the watchmaker; it runs perfectly. It comes with a new original Seiko leather strap (cowhide, smooth) with a Seiko-signed pin buckle.

Measurements: Diameter approx. 36.5 mm (without crown), lug-to-lug 41.5 mm, height 10.3 mm, lug width 18 mm. Weight incl. strap approx. 46 g.

Technical Data

• Brand: King Seiko (キングセイコー)
• Model / Series: 56KS Hi-Beat
• Reference: 5625-7111 (Dial code 5625-7110T)
• Caliber: Seiko 5625A, automatic with manual winding and hacking seconds, 25 jewels, 28,800 bph (Hi-Beat), date with quick-set adjustment, approx. 40 hrs power reserve, external fine regulation
• Production Date: February 1973 (Serial number 323561: 3 = 1973, 2 = February)
• Origin: Suwa Seikosha, Japan (Lightning "S" on the dial)
• Case: Stainless steel, one-piece (opening via crystal), "Grammar of Design" form, unpolished
• Case Diameter: approx. 36.5 mm (without crown)
• Height: 10.3 mm
• Lug-to-Lug: 41.5 mm
• Lug Width: 18 mm
• Strap: New original Seiko leather strap (cowhide, smooth) with Seiko-signed pin buckle
• Weight: approx. 46 g (incl. strap)
• Dial: Silver, sunburst, sharply faceted indices, dauphine hands, date at 3 o'clock
• Crown: Original crown with KS logo
• Crystal: Acrylic glass (flat)
• Water Resistance (original): "Water Resistant" (no longer tested, no guarantee)
• Condition:
  • Movement professionally fully serviced in Japan in spring 2026 (documented), runs perfectly
  • Case very beautiful and unpolished, sharp edges preserved, only light signs of wear
  • 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
• New original Seiko leather strap with signed buckle; fully 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. Signs of age and use do not constitute a defect.

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