King Seiko: A Comprehensive Guide to Seiko's Second Heir
Revived King Seiko Offers a Taste of Grand Seiko at a More Accessible Price
In the world of luxury timepieces, the name King Seiko may not be as familiar as its older sibling, Grand Seiko. Yet, this lesser-known brand, a part of the Seiko family, has been making waves in the industry with its elegant designs and high-quality craftsmanship.
First introduced in 1961, King Seiko was created to compete directly with Grand Seiko, each representing Seiko's high-end watchmaking but targeting slightly different market niches. Today, King Seiko is back, having been revived in 2021.
The King Seiko collection is designed to resemble the original King Seiko models from the 1960s, offering a taste of Grand Seiko’s design and quality at a more accessible price point. The collection consists of three model families: KSK, KS1969, and Vanac.
The KSK models maintain a classic silhouette, while the KS1969 family is modeled after later King Seiko pieces and features a tonneau-shaped case and a comfortable 13-link bracelet. The Vanac model, the most modern design in the current King Seiko collection, has an angular design, causing a stir at its launch.
Regarding pricing, modern King Seiko models are positioned below Grand Seiko, offering luxury features at a more affordable price. For example, King Seiko watches like the SDKS031 retail around ¥396,000, which is generally less expensive than typical Grand Seiko watches, known to command higher prices for their premium craftsmanship.
King Seiko watches incorporate design elements inspired by Grand Seiko but present them with subtle differences. The finishing on King Seiko is considered impressive and often compared favorably to Grand Seiko’s renowned Zaratsu polishing. King Seiko focuses on elegance and refined aesthetics, serving as a middle ground between regular Seiko watches and the Grand Seiko line.
However, it's important to note that while King Seiko shares many similarities with Grand Seiko, it does not compete directly with those from the Grand Seiko line. Grand Seiko is typically regarded as the benchmark for Seiko’s precision, finishing, and movement quality. Historically, King Seiko movements were similar but often slightly less accurate or less finely finished compared to Grand Seiko. In recent releases, King Seiko movements remain high grade but usually sit one notch below Grand Seiko calibers in terms of technical sophistication and chronometric certification.
Despite this, King Seiko is considered an underrated part of the current Seiko collection. Its earliest models used unmarked variants of Grand Seiko movements, a testament to the close relationship between the two brands. Today, King Seiko operates within a similar price range as Grand Seiko, offering more affordable alternatives for those seeking a taste of Grand Seiko’s design and quality.
Technology plays a crucial role in the revival of King Seiko, as modern manufacturing processes and materials have enabled the brand to create watches that resemble the original King Seiko models from the 1960s while keeping the price accessible.
Numerous design elements in King Seiko watches, such as the Zaratsu polishing, showcase the advanced technology that sets them apart from regular Seiko watches, offering a taste of Grand Seiko’s quality at a more affordable price point.
