Seiko Lord Matic Ref. 5606-7040 – March 1968, Suwa Factory (Japan)

This beautiful Seiko Lord Matic, reference 5606-7040, dates from March 1968 , the very first production run of this legendary model series. It is identifiable by the rare engraving “WATERPROOF” on the case back – a feature that was soon replaced by “WATER RESISTANT”, making this early version particularly collectible.

The watch was completely disassembled, cleaned, and serviced in Japan in October 2025. It has its original Seiko stainless steel bracelet and is in honest, good used condition with only minor signs of wear.

Technical data

• Reference: 5606-7040
• Serial number: 83xxxx (March 1968)
• Movement: Seiko automatic caliber 5606A , 23 jewels, manual winding & hacking seconds
• Features: Date and day of the week (Kanji/English) with quick setting
• Case: Stainless steel, with "WATERPROOF" engraving
• Diameter: 34.8 mm (excluding crown)
• Lug-to-lug: 40.1 mm
• Height: 10.1 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight: 67 g (with original strap)
• Revision: Full service by a Japanese watchmaker, October 2025

Background and history of the Seiko Lord Matic

The Lord Matic was introduced by Seiko in 1968 to offer an elegant and technically advanced watch for the upper middle class. It filled the gap between the everyday Seiko 5 and the prestigious King Seiko and Grand Seiko models.

The line embodied the philosophy of "everyday luxury" : high-quality movements with precise mechanics, combined with a modern, slim design. The Caliber 5606A was one of the best of its time – a fully equipped automatic movement with manual winding , hacking seconds , and bidirectional quick-set function .

Watches like this early 5606-7040 were highly regarded in the Japanese market and considered an expression of technical maturity. They combined reliability, ease of maintenance, and understated elegance – qualities that continue to make them so popular with collectors today.

Relationship to King Seiko and Grand Seiko

The Lord Matic series was manufactured at the Suwa factory , while the King Seiko came from the Daini factory . Both lines competed internally for precision, craftsmanship, and technical innovation.

The Caliber 5606A is closely related to the King Seiko 56KS Caliber – both are based on the same technical platform. This watch thus represents the pinnacle of Seiko's mechanical mid-range watches, just before the quartz revolution transformed the market.

With its balanced combination of design, technical sophistication and everyday usability, the Lord Matic is considered one of the most underrated vintage Seiko series today – a real insider tip for collectors who appreciate quality and history.

Condition

The case shows slight signs of wear typical for its age, but retains its clear geometry and sharp edges. The dial is very well preserved, the hands are original. The movement runs accurately. The original bracelet is complete and in good condition.

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.