Seiko - King Seiko Vanac - 5626-7140 - Men - 1972

Now available at auction from Second Vintage

The King Seiko Vanac line represents a bold era of 1970s Japanese domestic market design, and this sought-after reference 5626-7140 is a superb example of that experimental spirit. Featuring a flawless gradient grey-to-brown sunburst dial, its original multi-faceted crystal, and the substantial original signed Vanac bracelet, this watch offers a highly architectural aesthetic backed by a premium King Seiko movement.

Brand: Seiko
Model: KS Vanac
Reference Number: 5626-7140
Serial Number: 270828
Movement: Automatic King Seiko caliber 5626B, 25 jewels
Dial: Gradient grey-to-brown sunburst with faceted indices
Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Production Year: 1972
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Timegrapher: -20-22s/day, running strong and steady.

Dial and Hands
The dial is a stunning, flawless, and dynamic focal point, featuring a vibrant gradient grey-to-brown sunburst finish. Applied faceted indices with black inserts are highly reflective and clean, complementing the crisp printed text and applied logos. There is no visible spotting, moisture damage, or degradation anywhere on the surface. The crisp and highly legible baton hands feature black center stripes and white tips, showing a clean finish with no visible oxidation or corrosion.

Case and Crystal
The 35 mm stainless steel case is sharp and highly architectural, defined by its distinctive angular geometry. The brushed and polished transitions remain well preserved, displaying only light surface scratches and minor handling marks consistent with careful wear, with no deep dents or significant damage visible. The integrated polished bezel presents light hairline scratches. A clearly signed KS crown features well-defined knurling with light wear. The distinctive multi-faceted mineral crystal adds incredible visual character, showing minor edge wear, flea bites, and light scratches visible under close inspection.

Movement
Inside beats the automatic King Seiko caliber 5626B, featuring 25 jewels. The movement appears very clean with bright plates and bridges, showing no visible corrosion, oxidation, or damaged screw heads. The rotor and balance area look well preserved. Testing on the timegrapher yields a result of -20-22s/day. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady.

Strap
The watch is fitted with its original signed bracelet, featuring a substantial stainless steel block-link construction that is perfectly matched to the case geometry. The clasp is clearly signed VANAC, and the endlinks are stamped XAB 421. The bracelet shows light desk-diving marks on the clasp and links, and it accommodates a maximum wrist size of 18cm.

Condition
Excellent vintage condition. The sharp angular case retains its distinct geometry with only minor age-related wear, while the striking gradient dial remains perfectly preserved. The original faceted crystal shows acceptable minor edge wear and light scratching. The King Seiko movement is clean and running strong and steady, supported by the recorded timegrapher result of -20-22s/day.

Dimensions
The case measures 35 mm, excluding the crown.

Remarks
This King Seiko Vanac is highly appealing for its uncompromised 1970s aesthetic. The combination of the vibrant gradient dial, the distinctive faceted crystal, and the presence of the original signed Vanac bracelet makes this a superb find for collectors of vintage Japanese horology.

History
Introduced in the early 1970s exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, the King Seiko Vanac series was a radical departure from traditional dress watch conventions. Seiko utilized the Vanac line to experiment with bold case geometries, vibrant gradient dials, and faceted crystals, reflecting the dynamic design trends of the era. Powered by the highly regarded 56-series automatic movements, these watches offered premium mechanical performance housed in avant-garde exteriors. Today, well-preserved Vanac models are celebrated by collectors who appreciate their unique visual character and historical place within the King Seiko family.

Payment and Shipping
Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase.
Your watch will be professionally and securely packaged, then shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind.
We use fast express shipping, with typical delivery within 1–4 business days, depending on the destination.
Please note that vintage watches may show minor signs of wear, aging, or imperfections, which are considered normal for watches of this age.
We kindly ask you to review all photos carefully before bidding. We photograph each watch from multiple angles to provide the most accurate representation possible, and the photos form an important part of the description.
The timegrapher assessment if provided is seen as an indication of the movement’s condition under fully wound testing conditions. As with all vintage watches, results may vary in daily use.
If you have any concerns regarding functionality or defects after delivery, please contact us within 3 days of receiving the watch so we can assist you.
As with all used watches, water resistance is not guaranteed.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends.

/ Second Vintage

SKU: SEI-AKV-0002