1965 Grand Seiko 57GS 'Chronometer' Manual 36.5mm 5722-9990

Here we have a classic 1965 Grand Seiko 57GS 'Chronometer' Manual model 5722-9990. Featuring a polished 36.5mm stainless steel round case, which sits comfortably on your wrist, thanks to the thick tapered flat-ended lugs. Its curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 43mm and a case thickness of 9.5mm. This sporty case adopts the principles of the "Grammar of Design." On the right side, there is the signed ‘Seiko W’ deep knurled crown. The smooth, recessed bezel holds a domed crystal above a striking sunburst silver ‘Special’ dial. An outer minute track surrounds the applied faceted rhodium-plated baton indices, marking the hours, with a framed date window at 3 o'clock. Elegant, rhodium-plated razor-edged hands are complemented by a tapered seconds hand. At noon, we have the applied ‘Seiko’ ‘Chronometer’ printed underneath and at 6 o’clock, a printed ‘Grand Seiko Diashock 35 Jewels’, and ‘Star’ completing this special, sophisticated timepiece. On the reverse, a screw-down solid case back is engraved with the details of the watch, surrounding the characteristic Grand Seiko gold medallion at its centre and inside a Suwa factory-made manually wound Seiko Cal. 5722A, 35 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour. It comes paired with a well-suited 19mm leather strap and pin buckle.

This watch is sold as ‘Watch Only’. The watch is from Circa. May 1965, and is sold in worn vintage condition, with its ‘Special’ rhodium-plated indices and hands, including a strong gold medallion back, as you can see. It comes paired with a well-suited 19mm leather strap and pin buckle. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

This is one of the best vintage Grand Seiko models I have had in stock, lovely sharp case, clean dial and crisp gold emblem on the case back, it ticks all the boxes. This is the reference 5722-9990 from May 1965 and is part of the 57GS family with one of the most wearable 36.5mm steel cases and fat lugs that work perfectly on the wrist. If you are in the market for a vintage Grand Seiko, I would not hesitate to add this gem to your collection today!

Reference : 5722-9990
Movement : Manually Wound Seiko Cal. 5722A
Age : Circa. May 1965
Year : 1965
Case Size : 36.5mm
Case Thickness : 9.5mm
Lug to Lug : 43mm
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

The first Grand Seiko debuted in Tokyo in 1960. The ref:3180 was made by Suwa Seikosha. In 1962, Taro Tanaka developed a set of design guidelines known as the "Grammar of Design," which aimed to create a cohesive look for Seiko watches. These guidelines encompassed nine key principles that distinguished the watches. Some of these principles involve Zaratsu polishing that makes the watch surfaces shine beautifully and reflect light in interesting ways. There’s also an emphasis on using unique shapes for the watch cases, ensuring that every part is perfectly shaped, and adding features like sharp, clean edges and well-designed hands and markers that catch the eye. Today, Tanaka's principles still apply to the modern Grand Seiko philosophy. Rather than sending its 25 Jewels Chronometer movement to the Swiss to be tested, Seiko decided to do the testing themselves. The European Chronometer Official Association believed that a chronometer-rated watch had to be independently tested to be awarded that designation. Seiko watches were not independently tested, so therefore they could not be chronometers. The ECOA did what irritated watchmakers do: they wrote a stern letter to Seiko requesting that the designation of Chronometer on Grand and King Seiko watches stop. Seiko obliged and ceased using a chronometer on their watches. In response, the Japanese Chronometer Authorisation Association was started in 1968 as an independent group to test timepieces to chronometer standards. The Association was short-lived: due to the rise of quartz watches, it closed in 1983. Today, Grand Seiko movements are tested over 17 days in 6 positions compared to COSC testing over 15 days in 5 positions. In 1985, Suwa Seikosha became Seiko Epson Corporation. In 2017, Seiko announced that Grand Seiko would become an independent brand.