KS

My “new” 1969 King Seiko (Model 5626-7010) watch

As announced, I bought the above King Seiko watch.

To repeat some of my typed explanation, I needed a grown-man watch. My general parameters:
-Handsome; not flashy
-Accurate at its intended use of the keeping of time
-Old
-Distinctive
-Not an Apple Watch—I have enjoyed wearing an AW since I dunno 2018 or so, but it didn’t feel right as a daily watch, especially in business and formal situations
-Not super expensive (arbitrary and capricious and subjective phrasing indeed, but for me that means something like “under 100,000 yen” at this moment; as a Mammon devotee I hope this number rises much higher)

I have long admired old Seiko watches, partly due to the influence of my good friend Zack, who wears a fine one. One Seiko that I really like is this, but now is not the moment to get one.

The above grandfather clock replaced the unit of the same model that I owned previously. When I brought it in to be repaired, and it was discovered to be beyond that, I asked to see some old Seikos. The shop owner rewarded me with a preponderance. It was a really good time to sit and look at the multitude of pieces he has accumulated, basking in his knowledge of them. The first one I decided to buy was an even older King Seiko, but it had the deal-breaking weakness of not being at all water resistant. Rain would someday ruin it, the way I roll.

When he brought this one, I was enamored with its unique shape and overall look and feel. It winds automatically. It was a respectably nice watch at its inception, per the shopkeeper. King Seiko competed with the now-fancier sibling brand Grand Seiko fairly equally in the days my model was manufactured. Online, it still seems to sell well above the 50,000 yen I paid. Mine is pleasantly worn.

With that, I have my timepiece for the above situations. I don’t expect to become a Watch Guy. There is also no way I won’t go back to look at more pieces sometime. Below are more angles to ogle. Also, I can take or leave the non-original wristband that it came with. Perhaps I shall forever hunt a (metal, I believe) wristband of the same original vintage.