"Special" is not just a decorative word at Seiko. Within the Lord-Matic family, it denotes the version that did not come from the Suwa factory but from the competing Daini factory – and thus from the same production line as the King Seiko. This piece from January 1971 was serviced in Japan and comes with a workshop receipt.
Two factories, two Lord Matics
In the 1960s and 1970s, Seiko maintained two competing watch factories: Suwa Seikosha and Daini Seikosha. Both developed independently, both equipped the same model lines with their own calibers – and this internal competition propelled the company to the top of the world.
The regular Lord Matic with caliber 5606 came from Suwa. The Lord Matic Special with the 5206 caliber installed here, on the other hand, came from Daini, the factory that also produced the King Seiko. The 5206 operates with 23 jewels and beats at 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour – the Hi-Beat frequency, which allows for finer regulation and makes the movement less susceptible to changes in position.
It also features automatic winding, day and date display with quick-setting. The day display is bilingual, switching between Japanese Kanji and English abbreviations – a feature that immediately identifies the watch as a Japanese domestic model.
The case back bears the engraving SEIKO · WATER RESISTANT · STAINLESS STEEL · 5206-6000 with the serial number 111881, which dates the watch to January 1971.
Serviced with receipt
The watch was professionally serviced in Japan in spring 2026. Especially for a Hi-Beat movement, this is not a mere formality: the higher frequency places greater demands on oils and bearing play, and an unserviced 28,800 bph movement wears out faster than a slow-beating one.
Design and character
The silver dial is finely brushed and strictly structured: slender, applied and faceted baton indices, matching hands, and a central seconds hand. The "SEIKO / AUTOMATIC" signature is at 12 o'clock, below which at 6 o'clock is the LM signet with "Special / 23 JEWELS". The framed day-date window is at 3 o'clock.
The case is a softly rounded tonneau shape with polished flanks and short, integrated-looking lugs. With a diameter of about 36 mm, 40.1 mm lug-to-lug, and a height of only 9.5 mm, the watch is flat and compact – remarkable for an automatic with a full calendar. At 42 grams on the new black leather strap, it wears effortlessly.
Condition
The watch is in very good optical and technical condition. The finely brushed stainless steel case shows hardly any signs of wear. The dial and glass are also flawless.
Operating instructions: The quick-setting of the day and date should not be operated at night while the shifting mechanism is engaged; set the hands to approximately 6 o'clock beforehand.
Technical specifications
- Brand: Seiko
- Model: Lord Matic Special (LM Special)
- Reference: 5206-6000
- Caliber: Seiko 5206
- Movement: Automatic
- Jewels: 23 Jewels
- Vibrations: 28,800 A/h (Hi-Beat)
- Functions: Hour, minute, central seconds, day (Kanji/English), date
- Manufacture: Daini Seikosha
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Diameter without crown: approx. 36 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 40.1 mm
- Height: 9.5 mm
- Lug width: 18 mm
- Weight including strap: 42 g
- Serial number: 111881
- Dating: January 1971
- Service: Revision by Tamaoki-san (BLUE STREAM, Fukuoka), invoice included
- Strap: new black leather strap
- Origin: Japan
For whom?
For collectors who want to understand the competition between Suwa and Daini through concrete objects and know the Special for what it is: the Lord Matic from King Seiko production. For anyone who wants a Hi-Beat movement on their wrist. And for buyers looking for a flat automatic with a full calendar under 37 millimeters.
Warranty (used)
This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects (statutory warranty) is 12 months from delivery.
Note
As this is a used watch, water resistance cannot be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.
