Seiko Lord Matic 5606-7580T

Seiko Lord Matic, reference 5606-7580T. October 1972. Built at Suwa Seikosha.

Inside is the caliber 5606A: a 23-jewel automatic running at 21,600 beats per hour, with both automatic and hand winding and a hacking seconds hand — small courtesies that cost extra almost everywhere else in 1972. The day-date is bilingual, English and Kanji, switched through the crown, with quickset on both. Diashock protected. This is the movement Seiko trusted enough to regulate and drop into King Seiko and early-1970s Grand Seiko automatics — the same architecture, held to a tighter standard — and also one of the most-produced mechanical movements the company ever made. Ubiquitous and excellent at once, which is the whole argument above.

The sunburst green dial is original and unfaded. Stainless steel case, Hardlex acrylic crystal, 36mm case. Treat it with respect and it’ll outlast you, the way it has outlasted everyone so far.