King Seiko 1st model late, 15034 AD dial, stainless steel case, genuine unused "S" crown, manual winding, overhauled, manufactured in 1964 (Showa 39)

This is the later model of the King Seiko First Model, reference number Ref.15034.

History of King Seiko

King Seiko was positioned as a top-tier series alongside Seiko's highest-grade watch, the Grand Seiko, and was manufactured until the 1970s.
The First Model was a high-precision wristwatch produced by the Daini Seikosha Kameido factory, with the goal of meeting "Swiss Chronometer" standards.
It was announced in 1961, the year after the Grand Seiko was launched, and was manufactured until around 1964.
While possessing specifications comparable to the Grand Seiko, it is a top-of-the-line model that uses a movement 2mm smaller in diameter.

There are two types of King Seiko First Models: the Ref.J14102 with slender lugs and the Ref.15034 with thicker lugs.
The 15034 is a later model whose production began around 1963, characterized by a larger case diameter and thicker lugs than the J14102.

The dial features a radial finish that has aged beautifully over time, resembling champagne gold, adding a unique charm to this particular piece.
The indices are "AD dial" specification, with a hard gold plating finish that shows little discoloration.

Rare Individual Conditions

This particular piece does not use the gold-filled case that was common for the First Model, but rather features a stainless steel (SS) case, which was produced in smaller numbers.
The appeal of SS cases lies in their ability to maintain the texture of the material itself for a long time, allowing one to enjoy the subdued luster unique to metal for an extended period.

Furthermore, one of the greatest appeals of this particular piece is the clearly engraved "KING SEIKO" shield emblem on the case back, which, despite minor scuffs, remains in excellent condition without the engraving fading. While this mark is worn on many pieces, its preservation on this watch is evidence of careful handling and is a highly valuable point.

Additionally, the crown has been replaced with a genuine, unused "S mark" crown. The engraving is very clear, maintaining an extremely high level of originality.

Condition

This watch has been overhauled and its exterior has been refinished.

The strap has been replaced with a new one (cowhide) made by Italian brand Morellato. It has appropriate thickness and firmness, and a calm texture that does not detract from the classic King Seiko atmosphere. As it is new, you can use it with comfort.

The dial has small scratches and minor dirt in places due to age, particularly around the 11 o'clock position and the edge of the dial.
The indices have minor scuffs.
The case has small scratches that could not be removed by polishing, but there are no noticeable large scratches.
The crown operates smoothly.

Since this is an old watch manufactured over 60 years ago, it is not waterproof.
Use in humid environments (such as on rainy days, when washing your face, or on hot, sweaty days) is strictly prohibited.
As it is a precision instrument, please be careful of drops, strong impacts, and magnetic fields from smartphones or PCs.

Operation Method

Manual winding: Rotate the crown upwards in the normal position.

When winding the mainspring, please turn the crown gently and carefully upwards.
The crown will become stiffer as it winds.
For hand-wound watches, if you force the winding when it's fully wound, the mainspring will break. Feel the tension with your fingertips and wind the last few turns especially slowly.

How to pull the crown: Insert a fingernail between the case and the crown, and lever it open.

Please operate the watch while it is removed from your wrist. Rather than pulling it up forcefully, gently pushing with the pad of your finger or your nail can reduce stress on the crown and winding stem. This kind of careful handling is key to keeping your watch in good condition for a long time.

Time setting: Pull the crown and rotate downwards.

When moving the hands, please turn them slowly.
Please note that this model does not have a hacking function (second hand stop function), so the second hand will not stop.