1973 Grand Seiko 56GS 'Hammered' Textured 35mm 5646-7040

Here we have a rarely seen 1973 Grand Seiko 56GS 'Hammered' Textured 5646-7040. This rare model takes its inspiration from the early Seiko watches and is a design unlike the typical Grand Seiko, which adopts the principles of ’The Grammar of Design’. It was only available for sale for one month in June 1973 and was the only 56GS to have Arabic numerals. Featuring a 35mm stainless steel round case that gently curves over the wrist with thick lugs. Its polished, curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 39.5mm and a thickness of 10mm for a comfortable fit. Polished chamfered edges with crisp lines are still evident along the lug edges, and on the right side, there is a signed, deep knurled crown. The bezel features a polished, chamfered edge and an unusual ‘Hammered’ Kirazuri (starlight) texture, which holds the domed crystal above the equally distinctive ‘Hammered’ Kirazuri (starlight) textured silver dial. Unique applied polished Breguet-like Arabic numerals mark the hours, catching the light as you rotate your wrist. At 3 o’clock, a framed Kanji day/date window. Slim baton hands are complemented by a tapered centre second hand, at 12 o’clock an applied ‘Seiko’, ‘Automatic’, and at 6 o’clock an applied “GS” with ‘Suwa factory’ logo printed in black. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the Grand Seiko gold medallion embossed in the centre, inside an sutomatic Seiko Cal. 5646, 25 jewels beating at 28,800 beats per hour. This quality movement features hacking seconds and a quick-set date for your convenience. The watch comes paired with a well-suited 18mm leather strap and pin buckle.

 

This watch is sold as ‘Watch Only’. The watch is from Circa. June 1973, 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.

This is the mythical Grand Seiko 56GS 'Hammered' case and dial, reference 5646-7040, a serious work of art on your wrist from 1973. This is one of those references that typically, on the diehard collectors know about and at any given moment there's less than a handful ever for sale in the world, so I am honoured to have a fantastic one to offer for sale. Coming in 35mm, it wears perfectly, and the case appears to me to have been professionally recut and finished, looking arguably better than the day it was made. If you have been after one of these, don't miss your chance, add it to your collection whilst you still can!

Reference : 5646-7040
Movement : Automatic Seiko Cal. 5646 A
Age : Circa. June 1973
Year : 1973
Case Size : 35mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 39.5mm
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 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.