Seiko - King Seiko Vanac - 5256-6000 - Men - 1973

Presented for auction by Second Vintage

This King Seiko Vanac is a brilliant representation of 1970s Japanese horological design, blending high-grade mechanical watchmaking with the bold, expressive aesthetics of the era. Produced by the legendary Daini Seikosha factory, the Vanac series is renowned for its adventurous styling, and this example beautifully showcases the architectural indices and heavily faceted crystal that make the line so highly collectible today.

Brand: Seiko
Model: King Seiko Vanac
Reference Number: 5256-6000
Serial Number: 304103
Movement: Automatic Caliber 5256A, 25 Jewels
Dial: Brown sunburst dial featuring applied ridged indices, exhibiting visible dark spotting, freckling, and overall age-related patina across the surface
Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Production Year: 1973
Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear, visible crystal scratches, and dial spotting

Dial and Hands
The dial of this King Seiko Vanac presents a striking brown sunburst finish that plays beautifully with the light, contrasted by the distinctive purple printed Vanac text and applied gold-tone Seiko and KS logos. The hour markers are highly architectural, featuring applied faceted blocks with horizontal ridging that epitomize the expressive design language of the decade. A framed day-date aperture sits cleanly at the three o'clock position. Upon close inspection, the dial shows undeniable age, characterized by scattered dark spots, freckling, and patina across the entire sunburst surface. The luminous pips at the outer edge of the indices have darkened and degraded with time. The faceted baton hands, complete with central black stripes, exhibit moderate oxidation and aging consistent with the overall vintage character of the timepiece.

Case and Crystal
The stainless steel case features a bold, angular tonneau profile with sharp, sloping lugs that remain well-defined and structurally sound. The polished surfaces display normal micro-scratches and light handling marks indicative of regular wear over the decades, while the original KS-signed crown remains crisp and functional. The screw-down caseback is remarkably well-preserved, featuring deep, sharp engravings including the King Seiko medallion text, reference numbers, and serial markings. The watch is fitted with a highly distinctive faceted crystal, a true hallmark of the Vanac series. This crystal shows significant signs of use, including visible surface scratches, scuffs, and noticeable edge chipping along the perimeter, presenting an authentic and worn history.

Movement
Powering this distinctive timepiece is the Seiko automatic caliber 5256A, a highly regarded 25-jewel movement produced by the Daini Seikosha factory. The rotor is clearly signed with crisp red text, and the movement architecture presents cleanly in the provided images. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results show an impressive -10 to -14 seconds per day with strong amplitude.

Strap
The watch is paired with a striking black leather strap, characterized by heavy, contrasting white and orange braided stitching that perfectly complements the bold aesthetic of the case and dial configuration.

Condition
This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition, offering a highly authentic and unpolished appearance. The case retains strong geometric lines with expected surface wear and handling marks. The dial exhibits noticeable spotting and freckling across its brown sunburst finish, and the heavily faceted crystal displays clear scratches and edge chipping. Despite these cosmetic signs of its journey, the mechanical health remains incredibly robust.

Dimensions
The stainless steel case measures a classic 35 mm in diameter, excluding the crown.

Remarks
The King Seiko Vanac series represents one of the most adventurous and creative eras of Japanese watchmaking. With its heavily faceted crystal, architectural ridged indices, and robust Daini Seikosha movement, this piece is a captivating example of 1970s horological funk. It is an excellent acquisition for the collector who appreciates bold, unconventional styling paired with honest vintage character.

History
Introduced in the early 1970s, the King Seiko Vanac line was Seiko's vibrant response to the rapidly changing aesthetic tastes of the decade. Produced by the esteemed Daini Seikosha division, the Vanac models were characterized by their colorful dials, highly angular cases, and heavily faceted crystals, standing in stark contrast to the conservative Grammar of Design rules that defined earlier King Seiko and Grand Seiko models. Today, they are celebrated by enthusiasts as expressive, high-quality mechanical timepieces that perfectly capture the vibrant and experimental spirit of their era.

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-KVX-0001