This timepiece is a magnificent artifact from September 1976, as definitively proven by the serial number 694212 stamped on the stainless steel case back. In the mid-to-late 1970s, the King Quartz line represented an elite tier within Seiko's domestic catalog, sitting just under the Grand Quartz line and showcasing superior quartz technology. It houses the premium Caliber 4823, an over-engineered, multi-jeweled technical soul built by the Suwa Seikosha factory to deliver exceptional high-accuracy timekeeping during the peak of the quartz revolution.
The case architecture is outstanding, featuring a sharp stainless steel dress profile with clean, angular lugs that pair beautifully with the stitched brown leather strap. The dial is a true highlight of vintage Japanese artistry, displaying a pristine white waffle/diamond-grid micro-texture that catches the light from every angle. It is exquisitely finished with applied stick indices, elegant baton hands, a bilingual English/Kanji day-date window at 3 o'clock, and the iconic applied single-quartz honeycomb crest above the 6 o'clock position. Flipping the watch over reveals a prominent external coin-slot battery hatch, allowing power cell replacements without opening the main case back.
