Now available at auction from Second Vintage This is a truly exceptional opportunity to acquire a historically significant timepiece from the golden era of Japanese watchmaking. The Seiko Lord Marvel 36000 stands as a monumental achievement, housing Seiko’s very first 36,000 beats-per-hour hi-beat movement, the Caliber 5740C. Before the Grand Seiko and King Seiko lines adopted this ultra-precise technology, the Lord Marvel was the pioneer, proving Seiko's capability to compete with and surpass the finest Swiss chronometry standards of the era. This specific example is elevated further by a beautifully preserved case and a flawless silver sunburst dial. Adding an incredible layer of provenance, the caseback bears a crisp Japanese presentation engraving from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, awarded for thirty years of dedicated service in 1970. It is a masterpiece of mid-century horology and a tangible piece of Japanese industrial history. Brand: Seiko Model: Lord Marvel 36000 Reference Number: 5740-8000 Serial Number: 071013 Movement: Manual Wind Caliber 5740C, 23 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with applied indices, exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970 Condition: Stunning vintage condition with outstanding preservation Dial and Hands The dial of this Lord Marvel is a masterclass in understated elegance, presenting a radiant silver sunburst finish that catches the light beautifully from every angle. It features a crisp, applied polished Seiko logo at the twelve o'clock position, complemented by precise black printed typography spelling out LORD MARVEL 36000 and the iconic Suwa Seikosha factory symbol just above the six o'clock marker. The dial furniture consists of meticulously faceted, applied steel baton indices, each featuring a striking black central channel that provides excellent legibility. The sharp dauphine hands perfectly echo this design language, also utilizing black central stripes to contrast against the silver dial. A thorough inspection reveals a dial in virtually flawless condition, completely free of any spots, stains, moisture marks, or discoloration. The factory printing remains incredibly crisp, including the JAPAN 5740-8020T AD dial code along the bottom edge. Case and Crystal The 35 millimeter stainless steel case exemplifies the sharp, architectural geometry that defined Seiko's premium offerings of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The case retains strong, well-defined lug profiles with distinct factory chamfers and a brilliant transition between the brushed upper surfaces and the polished case flanks. A smooth, highly polished fixed bezel frames the dial perfectly. The watch is fitted with a classic domed acrylic crystal that offers a warm, vintage distortion at the extreme edges while providing a clear view of the pristine dial beneath. Turning the watch over reveals a beautifully preserved screw-down caseback, prominently displaying the SEIKO WATERPROOF STAINLESS STEEL 5740-8000 factory text, along with the serial number 071013 and JAPAN F markings. At the center of the caseback is a deeply engraved and historically fascinating Kanji presentation inscription from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, dated Showa 45 (October 15, 1970), commemorating thirty years of continuous service. The case exhibits only very light, honest handling marks consistent with careful preservation. Movement Powering this timepiece is the legendary Seiko Caliber 5740C manual wind movement, a true milestone in horological history as Seiko's inaugural 36,000 bph hi-beat caliber. The movement is visually immaculate, showcasing clean brushed bridges, bright polished screws, and ruby jewels set within golden chatons. Close inspection of the movement reveals crisp factory stampings including SEIKO, 23 JEWELS, 5740C, and JAPAN across the main bridge. The intricate regulator index and the large balance wheel are beautifully preserved and visually striking. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. The timegrapher displays a rate of +30 to +35 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a handsome black leather strap featuring elegant white contrast stitching. The strap provides a secure and comfortable fit while perfectly complementing the monochromatic, sophisticated aesthetic of the silver dial and stainless steel case. Condition This timepiece is presented in near-mint condition. The level of preservation is truly remarkable for a watch of this vintage. The dial is exceptionally pristine, showing no signs of aging or environmental wear. The stainless steel case remains sharp and robust, retaining its original factory lines and chamfers with only minor, superficial signs of handling. The hands and applied indices are brilliant and free of oxidation. The caseback engravings, including the special Kawasaki Heavy Industries presentation text, remain deep, sharp, and entirely legible. Dimensions 35 mm case diameter (excluding the crown). Remarks Finding a Seiko Lord Marvel 36000 in this exceptional state of preservation is a rare occurrence. The combination of the flawless silver sunburst dial, the sharp case lines, and the historically significant 5740C hi-beat movement makes this a mandatory addition to any serious vintage Seiko collection. The added Kawasaki Heavy Industries presentation engraving provides a wonderful narrative of Japanese corporate dedication during the country's post-war economic miracle, making this not just a beautiful watch, but a captivating historical artifact. History Introduced in 1967, the Seiko Lord Marvel 36000 was a groundbreaking achievement for the Japanese brand. While the Lord Marvel line had existed since 1958 as Seiko's premier luxury offering before the creation of Grand Seiko, the introduction of the Caliber 5740C elevated the model to legendary status. It was Seiko's first commercially available watch to feature a high-beat movement oscillating at 36,000 beats per hour, a technical feat that significantly improved timekeeping accuracy by minimizing the effects of positional variance and shocks. This technological breakthrough laid the critical foundation for the legendary hi-beat Grand Seiko and King Seiko models that would follow, cementing Seiko's reputation on the global stage as a master of precision chronometry. Payment and Shipping Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase. Your watch will be professionally and very securely packaged, and shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind. We ship via fast express service, with typical delivery in 1–4 business days (destination dependent). Note that with vintage watches, minor signs of wear, aging, or imperfections may be present and are considered normal for watches of this age. Please review all photos carefully before bidding. We strive to photograph each watch from multiple angles for the most accurate representation. The photos form an important part of the description. If there are any concerns of functionality or defects after delivery, make sure to contact us within 3 days of receiving the watch so we can assist you. As with all vintage watches, water resistance is not guaranteed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends. / Second Vintage SKU: SEI-LMX-0004