1969 Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Linen Dial Manual 37mm 4520-7000

Here we have a rare classic 1969 Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Linen Dial Manual 4520-7000. Designed and manufactured at the Daini Seikosha factory from 1968 until 1973. Featuring the distinctive ‘Grammar of Design’ 37mm stainless steel 45GS case, exquisitely polished and radially brushed angled surfaces curve over your wrist toward the thick lugs, its polished curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug of 4mm and a case thickness of 9mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side, a recessed, signed, deep knurled crown. The polished, smooth bezel holds a Hardlex crystal above a beautiful white Linen dial. An outer minute track surrounds applied steel baton indexes marking the hours. Polished steel hands are complemented by a tapered sweeping second hand. At noon, we have the applied Seiko motif, and at 6 o’clock, ‘GS Hi-Beat 36000’ completes this incredible dress watch. On the reverse, a screw-down solid case back is engraved with the details of the watch and the Grand Seiko gold medallion in the centre. Inside the legendary manually wound Grand Seiko Cal. 4520, 25 jewels, hi-beat at 36,000 beats per hour. It comes paired with a well-suited 18mm aftermarket strap and pin buckle.

This watch is sold as ‘Watch Only’, therefore comes without its Grand Seiko box or paperwork. The watch is from Circa. April 1969, and is sold in fair vintage condition, as you can see. It comes paired with a well-suited 18mm leather strap and pin buckle. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

You can never go wrong with a vintage Grand Seiko, especially when it has a beautiful linen dial, a hi-beat movement and an angular case. This Grand Seiko reference 4520-7000 from 1969 has all of the above with that striking linen dial, a manually wound Grand Seiko Cal. 4520 and features the distinctive ‘Grammar of Design’ 37mm stainless steel 45GS case. I would not hesitate to add this vintage gem to your collection today!

Reference : 4520-7000
Movement : Manually Wound Grand Seiko Cal. 4520
Age : Circa. April 1969
Year : 1969
Case Size : 37mm
Case Thickness : 9mm
Lug to Lug : 40mm
Lugs : 18mm
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 Authorization 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.