Vintage King Seiko (A bargain in disguise) - King Seiko 5625 - 7000 First Impressions

This is my first foray into the world of vintage watches. Of course I go for a Seiko, a King Seiko no less. With the recent hype of the King Seiko reissue from Seiko, I thought this first impression comes just in time for those considering dropping a few grand on the reissue.
There are so many vintage King Seikos for sale online or via Instagram, it'll be an absolute shame if you don't at least entertain this before purchasing the reissue.
Watches in video
Orient Neos 70 Solar Chronograph Panda: amzn.to/3kcW8KN
King Seiko 5625-7000 (Vintage) : / kingseiko96
Affiliate links to my gear
Camera (Panasonic G85): amzn.to/32eRFzu
Lens (PANASONIC LUMIX G Vario Lens, 12-60MM): amzn.to/38af88M
Watch Tool Kit: amzn.to/366xfcV
Spring Bar Kit: amzn.to/364JM0G
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[@alexanderd2973]

6:20 “Hand winding not automatic” 56KS: “Am I a joke to you?”

[@superfast30]

You mention twice in the video that its not automatic. The 56XX series of movements are automatic. The dial itself says it as well!

[@P.I.S.OnYou.]

Yep noticed that too I was screaming internally

[@bw5095]

What a great review of the KS as I have got this one about 2 years ago from ebay. It's a very nice timepiece especially you don't want to pay much for a vintage dress watch

[@garyrobinson8665]

I've just got the king seiko hi beat 5621 no date. I love it. Its small and is suitable to wear for any occasion.

[@TheChirpyPanda]

Oh yeh I would love a no date. Looks mighty classy

[@Case16710]

9:37 this is a screw that plugs the hole for the regulator. This allows you to regulate timing without removing the movement (which you would otherwise have to do since it has a monoblock case and the caseback doesn’t come off.) As of 2024, Seiko still has parts for and services these movements for $325. On their US site, they list the movements they work on and the service costs. The 5625 movement is automatic, btw. The 5626 is the same movement with the day and date.

[@ArbindB]

I just grabbed an almost identical piece as this one. It is a real classic I believe. Just a really solid execution overall.

[@ArbindB]

The seller that I got it from is from Vietnam. They seem to have a lot of repair shops still keeping vintage Seikos alive. I also had some other Vintage Seikos serviced in Chiang Mai. Coming from Canada, it's a real bargain to service them over there in comparison...

[@CarlosDiaz-gk7nk]

Great and honest review. Just bought this model from ebay from France. Very much look forward to receive it soon. Will dress it down with a nice vintage style blue Corareb strap. Keep it going and best regards from Frankfurt, Germany.

[@robcoin]

great catch. those things are expensive. I got a lordmatic couple years ago for around 400AUD. Kings are high end watches. No matter how old.

[@TheChirpyPanda]

I recently purchased a Lord Marvel, which I feel like is up there with the King Seiko in terms of vintage Seiko goes. Having said that, the KS will always be something sought after and if you can pick up a cheap well maintained one, you'll be doing yourself a disservice for passing up on it.

[@cezarb4047]

The band isn’t original, but somebody kept the KS buckle, which is a cool thing because they’re hard to find now!!

[@BetterTodaywithJasonCruz]

Hey man, first time visitor to your channel. Ended up here because I'm on the hunt for both a vintage KS and a vintage GS 😆 Just wanted to let you know it's freaking criminal you don't have way more views or subs. Keep up the good work. Great content and you're a natural, mate.

[@TheChirpyPanda]

Thanks man! Hope you pick up a KS, its such an under rated gorgeous.

[@BetterTodaywithJasonCruz]

@@TheChirpyPanda I'm on the hunt! There are a few available online but they look pretty dinged up. I guess the hunt is on 😆

[@deandixon2141]

I have this watch and a number of other vintage Seikos and King Seikos. There great watches and wonderful to wind and wear.

[@Eeruby]

I’ve been looking at vintage KS & GS watches. I recently bought a KS 4502-7000 gold capped from Chrono24 for $700 shipped that looks to be in excellent original condition. It was a private seller. I just reached our first to make sure they would ship to my country and get shipping estimate before agreeing to buy. Fingers crossed it’s a good as I hope 🤞🏼 Great video!

[@JapalenoJames]

Just found your channel. You're gonna be huge one day my man. Really liking your videos.

[@TheChirpyPanda]

Thanks for the vote of confidence man!

[@bw5095]

BTW, it is a auto not manual movement.😄

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

Indeed. Says AUTOMATIC in the dial. 😂

[@korbendallas71]

Great vid. I'm looking at a great condition one of these on ebay . Thanks for the review. Just subscribed

[@antidot556]

I have 5646 KS, recently noticed GS also used the very same movement but rather regulated one.

[@Make_SPQR_Great_Again]

got a nice condition one for $110 damn that was a steal

[@HeathFrancis]

Another great video!! Did you consider the Escapement Time Ali Express homage?

[@TheChirpyPanda]

Is there an escapement time homage for the king seiko???!??! Lemme check it out.

[@MIIIB]

Got one 5625-7000 in perfect condition and service have done for $325..... what a bargain for an incredibly good watch

[@truxton1000]

I have bought several 5625 and 5626 the last years, but find them harder and harder to find for the prices I just paid a few months ago. It seems that even the Japanese value these much higher even for watches with rather large flaws on the dial. For excellent looking dials and decent cases etc the prices are now $800+

[@cedarcanoe]

Great watch

[@sts265]

A little confused - you mention the watch is manual winding, but the dial (and other descriptions online) say it is an auto?

[@TheChirpyPanda]

I stand corrected, you are right, I have no idea how I missed that. It is Automatic with hand winding feature.

[@omegaknight01]

I have Seiko LM special 5216. The beast.👍

[@johnsanabria3279]

Look at the serial number on the caseback.....the 1st two digits refer to the year/month it was made. Couldn't catch the 1st number,but the second number shows it was made in August.

[@FabioTWK]

First two digits 06 (1970/6 = June 1970)

[@tomislavstanich9379]

It is automatic Hi- beat movement! i have the one too.

[@GentlemanMasterclass]

I heard you say twice, "It's not automatic." Even though automatic is clearly written on the dial. Did you get a franken watch?

[@silverghost4206]

Wearing my beloved beautiful orient star diver. While watching this seiko video....

[@nigelpate6751]

Just bought a nice original with medallion in place. Wont say how much☺

[@chaosad4508]

@@basharalbadri3348 how much taxed did you get on top? Just eyeing on one from Japan as well.

[@BayuMukti937]

Wait, the dial says automatic but it is handwinded? 🤯

[@MistaRhoi]

Put it on a nato strap for a more versatile, dressed down look.

[@erickvalencia5407]

Hey mate, do you still own this watch?… I’m looking for one but I can’t find one with the original strap.

[@kerrybayton8356]

If you find one on it's original strap, the strap will be unwearable due to age, buy a new strap & if it comes with the original keep it in a bag for when/ if you ever sell..

[@truxton1000]

Not automatic?? Well....

[@nitroxize]

$450usd is a steal for this.

[@TheChirpyPanda]

100% , for this price this is definitely a steal!

[@okvideos5228]

This man know nothing about this watch . Its a luxury watch bro 😖

[@cretan911]

[@MrJamesDuffy]

I would not worry if the case was polished as it is an affordable Seiko and not an expensive luxury watch. I mean hand polishing without softening the case transitions and certainly not machine polishing. Also, refinishing the dial during service was not uncommon until recently. Watchmakers would remove the markers before cleaning and touch up any paint after cleaning, then reapply the markers. As long as it is not fully repainted, it would not bother me.

[@gmshadowtraders]

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