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King Seiko "44KS" Manual, 1967 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

King Seiko "44KS" Manual, 1967

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Seiko (maker)
Date
c. 1967
Country of origin
Japan
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 36 mm
Stock no.
SQ9345868
Credit line
Dealer listing, Collectors Corner NY (SQ9345868)
Catalogue title (original)
King Seiko "44KS" Manual - Unpolished - 1967 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (stock number SQ9345868), this is a wristwatch by Seiko, made in Japan, dated c. 1967. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Collectors Corner NY

Amongst avid collectors, it is a well known story that in the 60s and 70s, Seiko had two factories: the Daini factory producing King Seiko and the Suwa factory producing Grand Seiko. The two factories participated in some inter-company competition in order to outdo the other in terms of quality and innovation. The collector community is just beginning to pick up on not only vintage Grand Seiko but also its sibling King Seiko for its incredible quality and value in today's market. This King Seiko "44KS" is no exception. King Seikos were produced from the early 60s until the mid-70s, and this example is circa 1967. This particular reference features a silver/white dial and non-luminous dauphine hands that catch even just the slightest hint of light. The 36mm case wears with more wrist presence than the size would suggest, and the angular design makes for a clean and minimalist, yet sporty feel for a dress piece. It should also be noted that the 2020 Limited Reissue as well as the newer full production models are based off of this reference.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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