King Seiko / Vintage Grand Seiko

[Reiver]

Becoming quite interested in the King Seiko watches and older Grand Seiko's

Was just wondering if anyone on here knows much about them?

prices seem to vary wildly and most available ones seem to be abroad.

I quite fancy one but have potential concerns about parts availability and servicing.

Does anyone have any 1st hand ownership experiences?

Obviously the usual applies as with any vintage watches in terms of being careful regarding redials, frankens and over polished examples.

[ollipekka]

I think these suffer from the same problem as many other non-mainstream seiko: if something breaks, it is nearly impossible to get hold of replacement parts. Shame, because that is really one of the remaining things that's between Seiko and the luxury brands.

However, 5625-7xxx is a beauty and you will pay pretty penny for it. Apparently in 2016 these could have been had for 200-300 euros, but the price is now over 500 euros on watches in good condition.

[Reiver]

I think these suffer from the same problem as many other non-mainstream seiko: if something breaks, it is nearly impossible to get hold of replacement parts. Shame, because that is really one of the remaining things that's between Seiko and the luxury brands.

However, 5625-7xxx is a beauty and you will pay pretty penny for it. Apparently in 2016 these could have been had for 200-300 euros, but the price is now over 500 euros on watches in good condition.

Yes that is a bit of a worry with them. A real shame as they are very nice watches.

I will look that reference up. I did find a Dutch company that seem to specialise in these watches.

The king Seiko’s seem to have jumped in value recently too from what I can tell. Generally more affordable than Grand probably due to more awareness of Grand Seiko as they are still produced today.

[markrlondon]

I will look that reference up. I did find a Dutch company that seem to specialise in these watches.

Do you have their name?

These older Seikos, the King Seikos, Grand Seikos, and Lordmatics (and similar) greatly appeal to me.

Finding ones in good condition is very difficult and it does seem as if you have to pay through the nose for genuinely good ones.

On eBay there are a couple of companies (one in USA, one in Canada I think, can't recall offhand) who seem to buy these up and then over-polish them. Ohhh shiny, but too shiny.

[Reiver]

Do you have their name?

These older Seikos, the King Seiko, Grand Seikos, and Lordmatics (and similar) greatly appeal to me.

Finding ones in good condition is very difficult and it does seem as if you have ti pay through the nose for genuinely good ones.

On eBay there are a couple of companies (on in USA, one in Canada I think, can't recall offhand) who seem to buy these up and then over-polish them. Ohhh, shiny, but too shiny.

http://seiko.site/index.html#homepage

https://vintageseiko.nl/

These both seem good, I like the gold capped one on vintage seiko nl but would probably prefer it in stainless.

I have seen a few nice ones but the better ones tend to be pricey as you mentioned.

[Reiver]

I think these suffer from the same problem as many other non-mainstream seiko: if something breaks, it is nearly impossible to get hold of replacement parts. Shame, because that is really one of the remaining things that's between Seiko and the luxury brands.

However, 5625-7xxx is a beauty and you will pay pretty penny for it. Apparently in 2016 these could have been had for 200-300 euros, but the price is now over 500 euros on watches in good condition.

I like those 5625 references, nice case shape.

Finding one with the nice crisp edges to the case would be ideal.

I'd take quartz or auto really.

[Itsguy]

I have a ‘67 GS and it’s a beauty, there’s something really appealing about the early GS designs. It’s very accurate and the movement seems solid and robust. I’m not sure how to back that up, perhaps someone more knowledgeable could advise, but it gives the impression of being solidly designed and dependable, as with my other 60s Seiko (it’s not a Hi-beat so the lower rate may help).

However mine has been re-dialed, presumably due to discolouration of the original dial. It’s hard to find examples that have been serviced regularly or at all in the way you easily can with vintage Rolex. This may be due to the (alleged) Japanese tendency to prefer buying something new to fixing something old, or to a lack of a strong manufacturer service network during the years before the GS re-launch.

Whatever the cause, there are a great many examples on Japanese auction sites with heavy patination, water damage, scratched hands and so on. It’s also difficult to know what you are buying from photos in Japanese auctions, and obviously harder to return things if there are problems. Nonetheless, it’s worth persevering as they are hugely appealing and wearable. There’s undoubtedly a halo effect into KS which is pushing up prices, but not to crazy levels. And there’s always the option of looking at other more affordable 60s Seikos which at their best really aren’t that far off. I’ve been wearing my Skyliner all week, which is just as accurate and to my eye as well designed.

[Reiver]

I have a ‘67 GS and it’s a beauty, there’s something really appealing about the early GS designs. It’s very accurate and the movement seems solid and robust. I’m not sure how to back that up, perhaps someone more knowledgeable could advise, but it gives the impression of being solidly designed and dependable, as with my other 60s Seiko (it’s not a Hi-beat so the lower rate may help).

However mine has been re-dialed, presumably due to discolouration of the original dial. It’s hard to find examples that have been serviced regularly or at all in the way you easily can with vintage Rolex. This may be due to the (alleged) Japanese tendency to prefer buying something new to fixing something old, or to a lack of a strong manufacturer service network during the years before the GS re-launch.

Whatever the cause, there are a great many examples on Japanese auction sites with heavy patination, water damage, scratched hands and so on. It’s also difficult to know what you are buying from photos in Japanese auctions, and obviously harder to return things if there are problems. Nonetheless, it’s worth persevering as they are hugely appealing and wearable. There’s undoubtedly a halo effect into KS which is pushing up prices, but not to crazy levels. And there’s always the option of looking at other more affordable 60s Seikos which at their best really aren’t that far off. I’ve been wearing my Skyliner all week, which is just as accurate and to my eye as well designed.

Yes I have generally found the Japanese listed ones a bit hard to judge and photos seem a bit lacking, I'd be wary of having one shipped and being disappointed upon arrival.

I have a 1972 Pogue which I find an impressive watch.