Are King Seiko Watches Good? Let's Compare with Grand Seiko!

Seiko has an undeniable presence in the Japanese watchmaking industry. It’s a global powerhouse among many Japanese brands today. In the 1960s, Seiko launched a novel series encompassing advanced technical development and design creativity called King Seiko.

So, are King Seiko watches good? Known for its impeccable precision and graceful design, King Seiko is often synonymous with high-quality craftsmanship. Its distinct characteristics draw the attention of Seiko watch enthusiasts. In the meantime, it has a separate identity from Grand Seiko. Let’s discover more about the Seiko gem in the following explanation!

King Seiko at a Glance

Seiko launched King Seiko and Grand Seiko in the 1960s. Founded in Kameido, Tokyo, the King Seiko was envisioned as the brand new Seiko series with an emphasis on high-quality materials and impressive accuracy.

As Seiko grew, Grand Seiko and King Seiko shared the same technological advancement, whether in movement or case. This effort resulted in mutual benefits and flourishing paths for both series.

However, the King Seiko mechanical manufacturer was closed in the 1970s as the quartz watches gained more public recognition. Such a change in the landscape triggered Grand Seiko to craft its version of quartz watches next to the existing mechanical timepieces.

King Seiko came back into the picture on some of Seiko’s limited edition releases in 2021. In 2022, the brand officially became a part of Seiko’s catalog once again. As one of the upper tier series, King Seiko bears distinct characteristics in its body parts, such as:

1. Magnificent Design

Using the boxed-shaped sapphire crystal, the King Seiko case gives an elegant and slim impression. Added anti-reflective coating improves the crystal’s inner surface legibility from any angle.

2. Utmost Functionality

In ensuring its precision, King Seiko offers bold, faceted lugs with sharp angles and flat surfaces featuring mirror and hairline finishings. For better readability, the size of the 12 o’clock index is more than twice the width of the others. Its patterned texture combines with the bright, sparkly dial to capture the attention.

3. Sophistication Around the Wrist

King Seiko pairs the magnificent case and bright dial with the sophisticated bracelet design. As an homage to the 1960s original King Seiko series, the bracelet’s surface can reflect light dynamically, creating an ever-changing effect. For variety, King Seiko offers five different exclusive straps.

4. Reliable Power

Inspired by the 1965 KSK, the crown and case back bear the revived King Seiko emblem for the modern age. Within the case back, the Caliber 6R31, which powers King Seiko, delivers a 70-hour power reserve and 100 m water resistance.

Read also: History of Seiko and Marine Master Family Watch Review 

King Seiko vs Grand Seiko

Vintage watch enthusiasts may often get confused when choosing between Grand Seiko and King Seiko. Though both series feature 1960s aesthetics, many watch collectors have varying preferences when deciding the brand that answers to their needs. Below are some of the distinct differences between King Seiko and Grand Seiko:

Are King Seiko Watches Good?

After considering several factors defining King Seiko and its comparison with Grand Seiko, the decision to add which piece to the cart is ultimately in the hands of each watch enthusiast. One more aspect may come into play with some leans into aesthetics, while the others hinge on functionality and affordability.

King Seiko may be considered a freshly released series with limited models, but its prestigious status transcends generations. Seiko enthusiasts may contemplate adding one to the collection for nostalgia, memorabilia, or genuine admiration for the masterful craftsmanship. 

It’s widely known that King Seiko has a vintage and minimalistic impression. Due to its original production in the 1960s, King Seiko watches possess a touch of refinement unique to the era. Their designs incorporate clean lines and sharp angles, defining a classic dress watch aesthetic.

To define its excellent mechanism, King Seiko uses manual and automatic movements. Each model has different movement types, depending on the model and era of the manufacturing. While not as luxurious as Grand Seiko, King Seiko still uses durable and sophisticated materials, like stainless steel and acrylic crystal, with careful polishing.

King Seiko Watch Reviews

The power of King Seiko lies in its dependable accuracy and graceful design. Though the aesthetics between every model may bear slight similarities, the prices ultimately vary. To contemplate which King Seiko watch to add to the watch collection, check out the following recommendations:

1. King Seiko KSK Mechanical Automatic White

At 38.6 mm in diameter, the King Seiko KSK Mechanical Automatic White has an angular and sharp case. With a 10.7 mm height and lug-to-lug distance of 45.8 mm, the King watch still appears as well-defined and proportioned even on big wrists.

Brushed and polished Zaratsu finishings on the stainless steel surface recall the original King Seiko 44-9990. As a callback to the 1960s model, the King Seiko watch utilizes the boxed sapphire crystal to cover the stunning cream-white dial with applied indexes.

Every marker glows beautifully under the glimmer of light. The marker at 12 o’clock is twice the width of the rest of the markers, effortlessly creating an exceptional pyramid-like pattern on the surface. To balance the stunning markers, the King Seiko watch is equipped with flat hour and minute hands, a faceted surface, and a needle-thin second.

Powered by the in-house 6L35 caliber, the King Seiko KSK Mechanical Automatic White operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph (vibrations per hour). It has an accuracy of +15/-10 seconds per day. Much like the original 1965 model, the revived KSK watch features a retro stainless steel multi-link bracelet.

Price: $3,282.00 USD

Read also: Seiko vs Grand Seiko: The Highlight between the Leading Ones 

2. King Seiko KSK Mechanical Automatic Black

For black dial watch collectors, the King Seiko KSK Mechanical Automatic Black may be a worthy timepiece to consider. With similar measurements to the King Seiko KSK Mechanical Automatic White, the brushed and polished Zaratsu-finishing watch appears stunning while snuggling comfortably around the wrist.

To reminisce about the 1960s model, the automatic black King Seiko watch applies faceted lugs and a boxed sapphire crystal. Polished indices on the sunburst charcoal black dial help accentuate the timepiece's overall elegance.

The 6L35 caliber that powers the King Seiko watch can run within +15/-10 seconds per day and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph. Its vintage impression is further enhanced by the retro stainless steel multi-link bracelet like the original 1965 model.  

Price: $3,282.00 USD

3. King Seiko KSK Mechanical Automatic Tobacco Brown

The sharp and angular shape of the King Seiko KSK Mechanical Automatic Tobacco Brown makes for a stunning vintage dress watch. With a 37 mm diameter, 12.1 mm height, and 43.6 mm lug-to-lug distance, the watch can snug perfectly even around big wrists.

To reminisce the nostalgic 1960s aesthetic, the revived KSK has faceted lugs, an iconic feature of the 1965 model. Polished indices and carefully crafted markers combine harmoniously with the sunburst brown dial. Unlike the previous KSK models, the tobacco brown automatic watch doesn’t have a date indication.

The King Seiko KSK’s vintage aesthetic is enhanced by the stainless steel multi-link bracelet. It even exceeds the excellence of the SDKS007. For wearers who don’t want to wear a stainless steel bracelet, an equally vintage-style leather strap can be an excellent choice.

Price: $1,700.00 USD

Final Thought

The grand comeback of King Seiko in 2022 diversifies the Japanese watchmaking landscape. At first glance, the King series may seem similar to Grand Seiko. However, the two series have distinct characteristics, effectively strengthening each brand identity.

Among the Japanese watch brands, Seiko remains one of the industry leaders with unique, traditional values. Though striving for innovations, Seiko still maintains authentic Japanese watchmaking techniques. This combination results in the revival of King Seiko. Despite the limited models, King Seiko offers excellence in every single piece.

The presence of King Seiko and Grand Seiko within the same space doesn’t have to confuse watch enthusiasts. Rather, it’s an opportunity to discover more hidden gems in the vast Seiko collections. All in all, King Seiko suits budget-friendly users who want to own a vintage watch without draining their wallet empty. It’s a fitting option for watch collectors and casual wearers for formal occasions.

Read also: Seiko Watches Review: Timeless Japanese Excellence