KingSeiko.info
The purpose of this site is to provide some help for those interested in King Seiko watches.
The First King Seiko, a hand wind watch, was introduced in 1961. Thereafter two hand wind series 44KS and 45KS followed. In 1968 first automatic King Seikos appeared. 56KS, then 52KS and also KS VANAC, all automatic series, were produced until 1975.
| How we translated catalog terms: | |
|---|---|
| キング セイコー | King Seiko |
| セイコー バナック | Seiko VANAC |
| クロノメーター | Chronometer |
| セルフデーター | Self Dater |
| 自動巻 | Automatic winding |
| 秒針規正装置付 | Second hand hacking |
| 外部緩急 | External slow/fast |
| 微調整装置付 | Fine adjustment |
| カレンダー和英切換装置付 | Japanese-English calendar |
| 瞬間日 | Instant day |
| 曜送り装置付 | Quickset day |
| カレンダー | With date / Calendar |
| 夜光付 | Luminous |
| ハイピート | Hi-Beat |
| ハードレックス付 | Hardlex crystal |
| サファイャガラス付 | Sapphire crystal |
| 超硬質合金側 | Cemented carbide case |
We have compiled summary tables for all King Seiko models described in the catalogs. Seiko started issuing general catalogs for Japanese Domestic Market in 1966. Before that year only some broshures with watches are available. Since 1968 in the beginning of every half-year another catalog was published. In 1972 only one catalog in binder format was issued. When looking at the tables, keep in mind that the actual production of the model often started several months before it reached the catalog. The First King Seiko page is not ready yet, but main series are available. Please click on the series names above in the navigation menu.
Please take a look at the Seiko catalog repository by Anthony Kable, whose kind help to us is invaluable.
These tables represent most of the King Seiko watches produced, but not all. For some reason some watches were not presented in any of Seiko catalogs. We try to present them on a separate page,
The current database of Seiko catalog entries consists of 158 King Seiko models over the years.
| # of different models | |
| 44KS | 4 |
| 45KS | 14 |
| 56KS | 75 |
| 52KS | 12 |
| KS VANAC | 53 |
| Total number: 158 |
The number of different models over the years is shown in the following graph. This is the number of different models, production numbers are not available.
We would also like to suggest some general reading about King Seiko:
-
A King Seiko elfeledett története - The Forgotten Story of King
Seiko
The absolute very best writing on King Seiko by Róbert Sipos.
In Hungarian, but google/bing translation helps. -
Az első King Seiko - The First King Seiko
Another excellent writing by Róbert Sipos. - King Seiko Collector Guide Part 1 - Evolution of the 44KS
- King Seiko Collector Guide Part 2 - Upping the Beat Rate
- King Seiko Reissue SCVN001 – Grammar of Design
- Hands-on Review - King Seiko KSK Re-creation. (SJE083)
- A history of the classic automatic King Seiko
- キングセイコー ファーストモデル - King Seiko First Models
-
Seiko’s Affinity to Hi-Beat Movement – Part Two
Below is a table with reviews of some King Seiko models. We encourage you to use Japanese-language materials. The current google/bing translations are so good that there are no problems.
Note. If you are interested in Seikomatic watches, then the Seikomatic Archive is unbeatable!