Fans of Seiko have almost certainly heard the fascinating story of inter-company competition between King Seiko and Grand Seiko during the 1960s and 1970s. Back then, Seiko had two separate factories creating its watches, with Grand Seiko produced at the Suwa factory and King Seiko produced by the Daini factory. Seiko’s objective behind having its two factories compete against each other was to promote progress through competition, with the end goal of building the best timepieces possible.

King Seiko watches were produced from approximately 1961 until 1975 and this particular King Seiko Hi-Beat ref. 4502-7001 dates to 1973, making it among the final examples of the Daini factory’s line of luxury Seiko watches. The “Hi-Beat” name is due to the manually-wound caliber 4502A movement, which beats at a frequency of 36,000bph and offers greater precision from within the watch’s angular “Grammar of Design” case.

SPECS

CASE & BRACELET

The 36mm stainless steel case is in excellent overall condition and retains its crisp lines, sharp angles, and the distinct broad lugs that define Seiko’s Grammar of Design philosophy. While the case of the King Seiko Hi-Beat ref. 4502-7001 is not the exact same as the famed 44GS case, it shares an incredibly similar overall appearance that is unique to Seiko. Completing the watch is a two-piece patent lizard skin strap fitted with a stainless steel King Seiko signed buckle

DIAL & HANDS

The original silver dial is in exceptional condition and features a subtle sunburst pattern with faceted, applied hour markers and a framed date window at the 3 o’clock location. All of the dial fittings, along with the faceted dauphine hands are finished to the exceptional standards that are associated with King Seiko watches, and since neither the dial nor the hands feature any luminescent material, there is nothing to interrupt their brilliantly polished surfaces. 

ACCESSORIES 

None. Watch is functioning perfectly and keeping time, previous service history is unknown.