King Seiko 52KS 5246-7000

Metallic obscurity

The 7000 has an unusually coherent grey presence. Its slate dial is seen through a similarly tinted, faceted crystal, with the polished hands and markers catching what light makes it through. A red Sunday character can become the brightest note in the whole watch.

In the hand, the surface has considerably more depth than a single photograph suggests. The subdued colour makes small changes in reflection particularly noticeable.

Room around the edge

The bezel is finer than the one on the blue 5246-6060. That gives the dial more breathing room and lets the metallic grey field spread further towards the case.

The crystal adds another set of edges over the hands and markers. Those reflections can make the watch look unusually restrained from one angle and unexpectedly busy from the next. The colour holds the composition together while the light changes.

Inside the small case

The first time I set the date, the crown’s unexpected resistance made me pause. I briefly suspected a fault, until I learned that the 5246A was also winding its mainspring with each advance of the date. There is something rather pleasing about feeling that extra work through such a small crown.