King Seiko Chronometer 5626-7040 One-Piece Case Gold Medallion Automatic Winding Overhauled Manufactured in 1969 (Showa 44)

This is a 56 King Seiko Chronometer from 1969.
While the Ref. 5626-7040 model was fully launched in 1970, this particular unit has a "9D serial number" and was manufactured in December 1969, the year prior.
Although many units manufactured between 1970 and 1972 are in circulation, this unit, including those manufactured in December 1969 with the same serial number, marks the fifth such arrival at our store to date.

The 56 King Seiko Chronometer was the first Japanese automatic watch to receive "Chronometer Official Certification."
This official certification allowed "CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED" to be formally displayed on the dial, signifying its status as a globally standardized chronometer.

The case is a monocoque (one-piece) design with an integrated case back to enhance water resistance.
The 5 o'clock position on the case features an external fine-adjustment device.
On the back, the "CHRONOMETER" inscribed KS gold medallion, characteristic of early models, remains beautifully preserved.

The dial features an elegant radial finish, revealing a beautiful gleam depending on the angle of light.

The movement features a high-beat mechanism operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats).
It is equipped with a hacking function (seconds hand stop function) and a practical day-date calendar function (with quick-set).

This historical timepiece boasts a robust and sleek monocoque case with thick lugs, a KS medallion exclusively for chronometers on the case back, and high visibility and functionality, making it truly captivating.

Condition

This watch has been overhauled and externally polished.

The strap has been replaced with a new genuine SEIKO leather strap, making it comfortable to wear.

The crown is genuine with "KS" engraving and operates smoothly.

The crystal is clean with no noticeable scratches.
The dial shows slight stains and dirt due to age along the rim (outer edge) and near the 2 o'clock index, but these are hardly noticeable to the naked eye and do not detract from the overall aesthetic. This level of aging is perfectly acceptable for vintage items.
The gold medallion on the back, despite minor scratches from age, has no noticeable chips or large dents and remains in exceptionally good condition for a timepiece of this era.

Due to its age, this watch is not waterproof. Strict caution is advised against use in humid environments (e.g., rainy days, during face washing, or on hot, sweaty days).
As a precision instrument, please be careful to avoid dropping it or subjecting it to strong impacts.
Also, keep it away from strong magnetic fields, such as those from smartphones, PCs, or magnetic clasps on bags.

How to Operate

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

Time setting: Pull the crown out two clicks and rotate downwards.

The second hand stops when the crown is pulled out two clicks.

Quick-set date: Pull the crown out one click and rotate downwards.

Quick-set day: Pull the crown out one click and rotate upwards (changes from English to Japanese).

Operating the quick-set when the watch indicates between "9 PM and 3 AM" may cause damage.
It is recommended to set the time to around 6 AM before performing the quick-set operation.