{"product_id":"seiko-lord-matic-5606-7070-kaliber-5606a-23-steine-suwa-seikosha-monocoque-gehause-marz-1969-frisch-revidiert","title":"Seiko Lord Matic 5606-7070 – Caliber 5606A, 23 jewels, Suwa Seikosha – monocoque case – March 1969 – freshly serviced","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOn this dial, \u003cstrong\u003eLORD MATIC\u003c\/strong\u003e is written out in full.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis may sound like a minor detail, but it is the hallmark of early Lord Matics. Later, Seiko replaced the lettering with the streamlined LM logo – the same watch, the same technology, but a different look. The fully written-out version appears calmer and more classic; it dates from the time when the line had just been introduced and still had to spell out its name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis watch was built in \u003cstrong\u003eMarch 1969\u003c\/strong\u003e, in the first full year of production for the series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA case without a back\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe case back carries an instruction not addressed to the wearer, but to the watchmaker: \u003cstrong\u003eOPEN THRU GLASS, PUSH SET LEVER, PULL STEM.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis watch cannot be opened from the back. The back is not a cover, but part of a one-piece case body. To access the movement, one must remove the crystal from the front and work through the dial side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe reason for this is structural. A watch case usually has three points where water can enter: the crystal, the crown, and the back. The back gasket is the most vulnerable because it runs around the entire circumference and must be reset at every service. Seiko solved this in several series of the late 1960s by eliminating the case back. The fact that this case says \u003cstrong\u003e“WATER PROOF”\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than the usual “WATER RESIST” is the consequence of this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor the collector, this has a practical consequence: because the dial side is exposed during every service, many of these watches today bear the marks of unprofessional handling – scratches on the dial, bent hands, damaged indices. A monocoque with an intact dial therefore says more about a watch's maintenance history than any case condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Lord Matic in the Seiko hierarchy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Lord Matic line (LM) appeared in 1968 and occupied the upscale middle segment at Seiko: above the Seiko 5, and below King Seiko and Grand Seiko. It was manufactured at the \u003cstrong\u003eSuwa factory\u003c\/strong\u003e – the same plant that developed the Grand Seiko in parallel, while Daini was responsible for the King Seiko. This internal competition between Suwa and Daini was the driving force that brought Japanese watchmaking of the 1960s and 1970s to a world-class level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTechnically, the Lord Matic benefited directly from this. The caliber 5606 belongs to the \u003cstrong\u003e56 movement family\u003c\/strong\u003e – the same architecture upon which the King Seiko caliber 5626 and the Grand Seiko caliber 5646 are based. The Lord Matic ran at a lower frequency and with simpler fine adjustment than its more expensive siblings, but the basic construction is the same. This explains why the 5606 series is still considered exceptionally robust and watchmaker-friendly today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe fact that Seiko gave this mid-range line an elaborate one-piece case in 1969 says a lot about the standards of that era. In later 5606 models, this construction was abandoned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Caliber 5606A\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutomatic with additional manual winding\u003c\/strong\u003e – unlike older Seiko automatic movements, the 5606 can also be wound by hand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eHacking seconds\u003c\/strong\u003e when the crown is pulled, allowing for second-accurate setting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e23 jewels\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick-set for day and date\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eBilingual day wheel\u003c\/strong\u003e, Japanese and English\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe bilingual version follows the Japanese calendar convention: Sunday in red, Saturday in blue. In the photo, it shows Friday 金 – a detail not found on European watches that reveals the watch's origin at a glance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDial and Case\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe dial is executed in a light silver tone with a fine, uniform grain that scatters light instead of reflecting it. The hour markers are applied, faceted batons with polished flanks and deeply recessed edges; at twelve o'clock, they are executed as a double index. This is complemented by wide, polished hands and a fine center-sweep seconds hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA slightly raised ring with a dotted minute track encircles the dial, framing it. It is labeled with the applied SEIKO lettering at the top and \u003cem\u003eLORD MATIC \/ 23 JEWELS\u003c\/em\u003e as well as the Suwa factory mark at the bottom. The calendar window at three o'clock is framed with an applied border and shows the day and date side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe stainless steel case follows the design language that Taro Tanaka formulated at Seiko as the “Grammar of Design”: flat, sharply defined surfaces instead of rounded transitions, angular lugs with clearly visible facets, and a flat-polished bezel. Tanaka’s principle was that every surface should reflect light in a defined direction – which only works as long as the edges remain sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWith a \u003cstrong\u003eheight of 9.3 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e, this watch is flatter than most Lord Matics, which is not a given for a one-piece case. At 36.6 mm in diameter and 42.2 mm lug-to-lug, it remains proportional enough for everyday wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis watch is in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTechnically flawless: it was professionally serviced in Japan in the spring\/summer of 2026 – completely disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and regulated. The automatic system, manual winding, hacking seconds, and quick-set for day and date all work perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe dial is clean and uniform, without major stains or discoloration; isolated small dots are visible upon close inspection, but are barely noticeable when worn. The lettering is complete and sharp, the applied indices are firm and free of corrosion, and the calendar frame is intact. Especially with a monocoque case, this finding is the most important – it shows that the watch has been properly maintained over the decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe stainless steel case shows age-appropriate signs of wear, somewhat more clearly in places on the lug edges. The facets and transitions between the polished and brushed surfaces are preserved; the watch has not been over-polished. All case back engravings – reference 5606-7070, serial number, workshop instructions, Suwa symbol – are complete and clearly legible. The crystal is clear with light signs of use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA new black leather strap with a crocodile grain is fitted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand \/ Line:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko, Lord Matic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5606-7070\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerial number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 936617\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduction date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 1969\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko Caliber 5606A, automatic with manual winding, 23 jewels, hacking seconds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suwa Seikosha, Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes, center-sweep seconds, day and date with quick-set, bilingual day wheel (Japanese\/English)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel, one-piece monocoque case (movement accessed from the front through the crystal)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter (without crown):\u003c\/strong\u003e 36.6 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9.3 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug-to-lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e 42.2 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (incl. strap):\u003c\/strong\u003e 49 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrap:\u003c\/strong\u003e New black leather strap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acrylic crystal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eService:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring\/summer 2026, Japan – complete disassembly, cleaning, oiling, regulation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor whom\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor those who prefer the written-out lettering to the logo. Early Lord Matics with “LORD MATIC” on the dial possess a tranquility that the later LM models lack – and they are rarer, because Seiko switched to the shorter version early on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor collectors interested in Japanese case construction. Monocoque cases were limited to only a few series and a few years at Seiko; an example with an intact dial simultaneously proves a clean maintenance history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAnd for anyone looking for a fully equipped automatic movement with manual winding, hacking seconds, and quick-set, without paying the premium for a King Seiko – despite using the same movement architecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWith a height of 9.3 mm, it slides easily under a shirt cuff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty (used)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects (statutory warranty) is 12 months from delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs this is a vintage watch, no water resistance can be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage \u0026 JDM (Japan Domestic Market)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54777164693842,"sku":"A509","price":489.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0911\/3908\/0530\/files\/765F5EFD-FE80-4BEC-8670-3411EC885647.jpg?v=1789849775","url":"https:\/\/japanese-microbrands.com\/en\/products\/seiko-lord-matic-5606-7070-kaliber-5606a-23-steine-suwa-seikosha-monocoque-gehause-marz-1969-frisch-revidiert","provider":"Japanese Microbrands - Mario Lenke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}