Seiko Lord Matic Special 5216-8020. Vintage perfection.
Whenever this watch comes up in my rotation I inevitably find myself admiring that dial and distinctively faceted case at various points throughout the day. This week I couldn't resist the impulse to take yet another wrist shot of it during some down time. What a gem.
It really lives up to the "Special" moniker on the dial as well with its 4 Hz 5216 movement which consistently runs as accurately as any brand new chronometer certified watch. I'm actually pretty easy going about day to day accuracy since I have a daily rotation anyway, but even I take notice when one of them seems to regularly run at about plus or minus 2 spd no matter what.
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I primarily collect Japanese wristwatches. Mainly Seiko, both modern and vintage.
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Wow that's a dial!
Seiko did fantastic linen dials back in the day. 👏🏼 It's from1977, as seen from the caseback right?
Seiko did fantastic linen dials back in the day. 👏🏼 It's from1977, as seen from the caseback right?
It was made in October of 1976, according to the serial number. I'm guessing that inscription is there on behalf of whoever gifted the watch to the previous owner.
Very nice gift from the Governor of the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation.
Seiko need to remake this. I’d buy one tomorrow. Case is very ‘grammar of design’. What’s the diameter?
Seiko need to remake this. I’d buy one tomorrow. Case is very ‘grammar of design’. What’s the diameter?
That and the quartz versions. #kingquartz line reissue in the way King Seiko came back? Yes please. Lord Quartz? Yes please 🙏🏻
Seiko need to remake this. I’d buy one tomorrow. Case is very ‘grammar of design’. What’s the diameter?
It's 37mm wide, 42mm from lug to lug, and 10mm thick. A very nicely proportioned watch. I love the case design as well.
The really crazy thing about these LM's is that they were basically bargain watches when they were brand new. Quartz had exploded in popularity by 1976 and both King Seiko and Grand Seiko were already discontinued. This Lord Matic was a grammar of design dress watch with a high precision 28,800bph automatic movement that was factory regulated to within +/- 3 seconds a day. Adjusting for inflation, it was available for about 300 dollars in 2024 money. It's the sort of value proposition that's unfathomable today.
It's 37mm wide, 42mm from lug to lug, and 10mm thick. A very nicely proportioned watch. I love the case design as well.
The really crazy thing about these LM's is that they were basically bargain watches when they were brand new. Quartz had exploded in popularity by 1976 and both King Seiko and Grand Seiko were already discontinued. This Lord Matic was a grammar of design dress watch with a high precision 28,800bph automatic movement that was factory regulated to within +/- 3 seconds a day. Adjusting for inflation, it was available for about 300 dollars in 2024 money. It's the sort of value proposition that's unfathomable today.
Yes that makes a mockery of modern Seiko automatics in that price range. I had a baby Alpinist, but sent it back for losing 30s a day. It’s almost as if Seiko have decided anyone wearing an automatic is not wearing a watch to tell the time, but to flash an item of esoteric jewellery sporting a curious redundant technology. I think this is a real shame as it does automatics a disservice. There’s something to be said for a perpetual timekeeping device that needs nothing but the motion of your arm to deliver you the time. No charging cables, no battery swaps and no damn ticking.