Seiko 5626-5020 Officially Certified Chronometer Automatic HiBeat from 1972 this is a really great watch, I am very pleased indeed to add it to my collection. It uses the 56** movement from the King Seiko, it falls somewhere between the King Seiko & a Grand Seiko, I believe it was a export model specifically for the American Market, I always wanted the King Seiko model, so very happy to bag this one. It has the original faceted crystal & it very hard to photograph, the original, signed clasp, & bracelet & original crown.
From 1960-1973, SEIKO Officially Certified Chronometers were produced by both subsidiary companies of Seiko. Daini Seikosha and Suwa Seikosha with each developing different technologies and strong internal rivalries between the two were promoted to push for excellence. It was Suwa Seikosha who manufactured Japan’s first chronometer in 1960—the Grand Seiko Cal 3180—and subsequent Grand Seiko Cal 5722. Their last Officially Certified Chronometer was introduced in 1969, and bridged the gap between Suwa’s King Seiko (-6/+9 sec per day) and Grand Seiko (-3/+6 sec per day). Apart from the higher adjustment over a KS, SEIKO Officially Certified Chronometers movements were serialized with individual serial numbers.
Suwa’s last Chronometer was based on the high-grade automatic Calibre 56. The second generation 5626B, 25 jewels, was a 28’800 A/hr Hi-Beat movement, and powered the KING SEIKO 56 Automatic Hi-Beat. The 5626B had high-grade movement features such as micro-regulator, auxiliary manual-winding, hacking, and utilizes technology that is superior to other Seiko high-grade movements at the time (Cal. 51 and 52). With even higher adjustment and testing standards than the KS, the movement is also very similar to the Cal 5645 that equips the Grand Seiko 56.
The specifications of this model s truly amazing even modern Swiss Chronometers are offering the same specifications today. To better these specifications either Swiss or Seiko you would have to invest some serious money in a Grand Seiko or similar Swiss model.
Click links for my other Seiko’s
Seiko Landmaster
Seiko A628 LCD
Seiko 7006-8020
Seiko Sea horse 6601-9990
Seiko Sea horse 6602-8990
Seiko 6106-5470 Blue
Seiko 6106-5470 Gold
Seiko 6119-5460
