1973 Seiko King Seiko Hi-Beat Manual 4502-7001 36mm

Here we have a legendary vintage classic: the 1973 Seiko King Seiko Hi-Beat 4502-7001, a pinnacle of Japanese watchmaking released as a direct internal rival to Grand Seiko. This "KS" represents the golden era of Seiko’s grammar of design, specifically the 45-series, which is widely considered one of the finest manually wound movements ever produced by the brand. Featuring a 36mm polished stainless steel case that exemplifies Daini Seikosha’s sharp, angular aesthetic, it sits incredibly slim on the wrist with a case thickness of just 8.5mm. Its muscular lugs lead to a lug-to-lug length of 41.5mm, giving the watch a sophisticated and timeless dress-watch presence. Down the right side, we have a signed coin-edged "KS" crown. The fixed polished bezel frames a clean, sunburst silver dial that radiates understated elegance. An outer minute track is precisely executed, surrounding hand-applied faceted baton indices marking the hours, while a date window sits at 3 o’clock. Slender steel dauphine hands are meticulously polished to catch the light, complemented by a needle-thin central seconds hand. At 6 o’clock, the applied "KS" logo and "Hi-Beat" text signify the high-frequency heart beating within. On the reverse, the screw-down solid case back proudly displays the gold King Seiko medallion in the centre, a hallmark of quality for this reference. Inside is the remarkable manually wound Seiko Cal. 4502, 25 jewels, beating at a lightning-fast 36,000 beats per hour. This true Hi-Beat movement features hacking seconds and an instantaneous date change, showcasing the technical mastery Seiko achieved in the early 70s. It comes paired with a well-suited 18mm leather strap and an aftermarket KS buckle.

This watch is sold as ‘Watch Only’, and therefore it comes without its original Seiko box or paperwork. It comes paired with a well-suited 18mm leather strap and an aftermarket KS buckle. The watch is from Circa. June 1973, and is sold in worn and enjoyed condition, with 2023 The Seikologist service and work, as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The King Seiko 4502-7001 sits right in that sweet spot of vintage Japanese watchmaking where everything was being done with intent, sharp design language, serious movements, and a very clear sense of rivalry within Seiko itself. This was never a “secondary” product line in spirit; it was built to challenge Grand Seiko head-on. This example can be picked up for an absolute bargain, especially when you see the service it had in 2023 and how much was spent on it!

Reference : 4502-7001
Movement : Manually Wound Seiko Cal. 4502
Age : Circa. June 1973
Year : 1973
Case Size : 36mm
Case Thickness : 8.5mm
Lug to Lug : 41.5mm
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

Seiko’s 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. The Seiko Lord Marvel, introduced in 1958, was Seiko's first luxury watch, predating the well-known Grand Seiko. It was designed to rival Swiss brands with a refined design and higher specifications. In 1967, Seiko launched the calibre 5740C watch movement, a significant upgrade over the earlier calibre 5740A, which beat at 18,000, and the 5740B, which beat at 19800. This movement was special because it allowed the watch to run at a high speed of 36,000 beats per hour, making it Japan's first high-frequency watch. In fact, it was only the second watch movement of its kind in the world, following one released by a Swiss brand just a few months earlier. 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 Calibre 6217, which was later given the nickname “62MAS” by collectors. King Seiko and Grand Seiko emerged as prominent lines within the Seiko brand, with King Seiko making its debut in 1961 as a distinguished luxury watch collection. Grand Seiko, on the other hand, has consistently set the standard for exceptional craftsmanship and precision engineering. In 1965, Seiko introduced a groundbreaking manual-wind movement featuring 25 jewels and hacking seconds, coinciding with the launch of the second-generation KSK series, which boasted sharp, angular cases and robust, flat-ended lugs. The King Seiko KCM was introduced in 1969, featuring a chronometer-certified movement that operates at an impressive 36,000 beats per hour, along with a sleek C-shaped stainless steel case. In 1975, the King and Grand Quartz brands were introduced, built at the Suwa Seikosha and Daini Seikosha factories. In 1977, a high-end Twin Quartz Cal.92 was produced until 1979, when the 97KQ and 99KQ were introduced. The final 1981 King Quartz Cal. 94KQ movement remained in production until Seiko ended the King Seiko line in 1985. Despite the challenges during the Quartz crisis of the 1970s that led to the gradual shutdown of King Seiko production, Seiko made a comeback in 2022 by reintroducing the classic King Seiko collection. The company name was changed to the Seiko Corporation in 1990. Innovation at Seiko continues today with GPS Solar watches.