The Grand Seiko was an expensive, top of the range model designed to test Seiko’s watchmakers skills. Model reference 4522-7000 or 45GSC
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
From the serial number on the case back we can accurately date this watch to being made in October 1969. We have also found this 4522-7000 model for sale in a Japanese Seiko Catalogue for 32,000 Yen – about twice the price of the King Seiko, and a basic Seiko manual winding watch started at 4,000 Yen.
CONDITION
Seiko had two main watch factories, Suwa and Daini, and each were encouraged to make better watches than the other. You can read more about their rivalry and the rise, demise and resurrection of Grand Seiko here in this indepth article. Hi Beat refers to the escapement, which swings 10 times a second or 36,000 times an hour. Normally reserved for high end chronographs like the Zenith El Primero (also launched in 1969) it was very unusual to build such a high specification escapement in a time only watch. Like a lot of Grand Seiko specifications, it is partially showing off just because they can. The case does have a few small marks, with the worst being on the top right lug, but the gold medallion on the case back is still in place (these are often missing). The original dial is a very dark grey rather than black, and the condition is excellent. Any marks you see may be from the faceted crystal, which does have light scratches. It is nice to see the original GS crown still fitted and in good shape – on manual wind watches that are 50 years old or more these have often been replaced or worn smooth, but this is very good. The Seiko bracelet is not original to the watch, so we could swap this for a leather strap like the watch was originally on.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 39.3 mm
Width without crown 36.6 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 40.9 mm
Case Thickness 9.4 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 190 mm. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.