A rare variant of Seiko's high-end Lord-Matic line: This Seiko Lord Matic 23 Jewels (Ref. 5606-6000) from August 1972 features the sought-after black dial with a contrasting minute track – a much more striking appearance than the common silver LMs.
The Movement: It is powered by the Caliber 5606 from Seiko's Suwa factory – an automatic movement with additional hand-winding and hacking seconds, 23 jewels, 21,600 vibrations/hour, and a bilingual day/date display (Kanji/English) with quick-set function via the crown (push-set). It is among the most produced and reliable mechanical Seiko movements of its era.
King Seiko and Grand Seiko Kinship: The Lord-Matic line was positioned by Seiko directly below King Seiko and Grand Seiko and shared the 56-base with them: The same movement principle powers the 56 King Seiko (5625/5626) and the 56 Grand Seiko (5645/5646). The lightning bolt "S" on the dial indicates manufacturing at the Suwa factory.
Appearance: The black dial with a light minute track, applied indices, applied "SEIKO" and "LM" logos, "Automatic / 23 Jewels" signature, and central seconds hand is housed in a robust, brushed cushion-shaped stainless steel case – a sporty-elegant LM appearance from the early 1970s.
Condition and Service: The watch is in good, original condition with character. Honestly noted: The black dial shows age-related speckling/patina (light dots) on the edge – however, this is not distracting but rather adds character. The brushed case shows only a few typical scratches and scuff marks from use. 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 comes on a Milanese/mesh stainless steel bracelet.
Dimensions: Case approx. 35 × 40 mm (cushion shape), height 10.5 mm, lug width 18 mm. Weight including bracelet approx. 72 g.
Technical Data
- Brand: Seiko (セイコー)
- Model / Line: Lord Matic (LM) 23 Jewels Day-Date
- Reference: 5606-6000 (Dial code 5606-6010T)
- Caliber: Seiko 5606, Automatic with hand-winding and hacking seconds, 23 jewels, 21,600 bph, Day/Date bilingual (Kanji/English) with quick-set
- Production Date: August 1972 (Serial number 281797: 2 = 1972, 8 = August)
- Origin: Suwa Seikosha, Japan (Lightning bolt "S" on the dial)
- Case: Stainless steel, brushed, cushion shape, "Water Resistant" engraving on the case back
- Case Size: approx. 35 × 40 mm
- Height: 10.5 mm
- Lug Width: 18 mm
- Bracelet: Milanese/mesh stainless steel bracelet
- Weight: approx. 72 g (incl. bracelet)
- Dial: black with light minute track, applied indices, Day/Date at 3, central seconds
- Crown: Original crown (Push-Set / quick-set)
- Crystal: Acrylic glass (slightly domed)
- Water Resistance (original): "Water Resistant" (no longer tested, no guarantee)
- Condition:
- Movement professionally completely serviced in Japan in spring 2026 (documented), runs perfectly
- Black dial with distinct, age-related speckling/patina
- Case with typical scratches/scuff marks from use
- Mesh stainless steel bracelet with signs of wear
Special Features
- Rarer black dial – more striking than the common silver Lord Matics
- Proven 56-series movement – same basic design as 56 King Seiko (5625/5626) and 56 Grand Seiko (5645/5646); Suwa production
- Automatic with hand-winding, hacking seconds, and day/date quick-set, bilingual day wheel
- 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. Signs of age and use do not constitute a defect.
Note
Despite the historical "Water Resistant" inscription on the case back, this vintage watch is not (no longer) waterproof; water resistance is not guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.
