1970 Seiko Lordmatic Automatic 36mm 5601-9000
Ref: 5601-9000
Specification
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Seiko box or original Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with an 18mm aftermarket leather strap. The watch is from January 1970 and therefore is showing signs of wear as you would expect, however, overall is in very good condition for its age. There is an engraving on the case back as photographed. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1d-9ceX9cqb6UrXtUcwmJQbTRCbGbJpUb?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 36:06 - https://youtu.be/ko6_7hy3OPs
The Watch
Here we have a 1970 Lord Matic 5601-9000 that has a 36mm unpolished case with beveled lugs and crisp lines, the case is a monocoque design cast from a single block of steel, this means to access the movement you have to pop the crystal from the front with a special tool. Seiko introduced the Lordmatic in 1968 from their Suwa Seikosha and Daini factories, the Suwa factory used the 5601A, 5605A, 5606A, and 5619A movements from 1968 to 1974. The movements had either 23 or 25 jewels, 21,600 BPH. The Daini Factory made use of the 5106 movement which was in production from 1967 to 1970 and was used in the Seikomatic-p. It had 33 jewels at 19,800 BPH. The 5146 was used in the Presmatic and had 27 or 30 jewels and was a 28,800 BPH movement. In the Daini Factories, the 52xx movements replaced the 51xx movements. The 5206 movement was in production from 1970-1976. They were either 23 or 25 jewels, 28,800 BPH, and were used in their King Seiko line. The factory rivalry took Seiko from just a Japanese watch manufacturer to the very cutting edge of horological innovation, competing with, and often beating, the best the Swiss could offer. A beveled bezel encircles the domed acrylic crystal that protects a white dial with a subtle vertical line pattern, slim applied baton indexes for the hour markers, and elegant Dauphine hands with chamfered edges. On the case back we have an inscription that says “20th Anniversary-Completed Construction of New Factory- To Commemorate”, inside we have an automatic Seiko Cal. 5601, 23 jewels, 21600 beats per Hour, and the watch comes paired with a brown leather 18mm strap.
Personal Note
This wonderfully affordable Seiko Lordmatic automatic 36mm reference 5601-9000 features a subtle textured dial that really plays with the light, the caseback also features a commemorative engraving which only adds to the intrigue!
The Brand
Seikos' history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori established the K. Hattori retail and repair store. In 1892 Seikosha was established to make wall clocks. 1895 saw the production of their first pocket watch. 1913 saw the launch of their first wristwatch, the Laurel. In 1924 the first Seiko was manufactured. Daini Seikosha (now Seiko Instruments Inc.) was established in 1937. Seiko was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1949. The Suwa factory became independent and formed Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corporation in 1959). In 1956 Seiko launched Marvel as their first true in-house-made watch; they continued to make this watch until 1959. Japan’s first chronograph watch was introduced for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics; it was called the Seiko Crown Chronograph monopusher. Not stopping there Seiko launched Japan's first true divers watch the Seiko Diver’s 150M fitted with the automatic Caliber 6217 which later was given the nickname “62MAS” by collectors. The company name was changed to the Seiko Corporation in 1990. Innovation at Seiko continues today with GPS Solar watches.