King Seiko 52KS 5245-6010
A finer framework
The 6010 draws a surprisingly fine line around its dial. Its lugs are narrow and sharply defined, and the brushed case flanks keep the polished upper surfaces legible. With the light travelling across the sunburst dial, the whole watch feels open and rather delicate.
At 34.9 mm, this is one of the smaller automatics in my collection. The scale suits its precise, almost skeletal handling of the case.
A fine edge under curved glass
The slender, dagger-like hands are surrounded by an unusually fine ring of minute divisions. Under the rounded crystal, that dense outer track makes the quiet sunburst field seem even more open.
The raised glass is part of how I know this particular watch. At an angle, it introduces a soft distortion above the sharply drawn hands and markers. The contrast between those two kinds of edge is much more apparent in a close view.
The watch
| Reference | 5245-6010 |
|---|---|
| My example | June 1971 |
| Family | King Seiko 52KS |
| Manufacture | Daini Seikosha |
| Movement | 5245A · automatic, date |
| Beat rate | 28,800 vibrations/hour · 4 Hz |
| Case | Stainless steel |
| Case width, without crown | 34.9 mm |
| Thickness, including crystal | 9.5 mm |
Dimensions measured on this example.
The other half
The 5245-6000 brings out everything that makes the 6010 distinctive. Its full, rounded case and linen dial give the same broad idea a different weight.
I particularly enjoy the reversal of their polished and brushed surfaces. The 6010’s polished lug tops sit above brushed flanks; the 6000 places the contrast differently. Turn them over and the outlines are still recognisably opposed. The relationship survives a change of viewpoint.
