King Seiko 56KS 5626-7120
Where the curves meet
The 7120 seems to build a bridge between a conventional round watch with lugs and the Seiko Style C-shaped case. The extra curvature could easily become awkward. Instead, two opposing curves approach one another at each lug tip and give the outline a rather elegant resolution.
A well-preserved example makes those intentions much easier to read. The shape depends on the precision of its transitions, not simply on the softness of its silhouette.
A little sternness
The rounded lug ends are balanced by the vertical brushing of the case top and dial, together with the strict geometry of the hands and markers. Those elements bring a welcome measure of sternness to the composition.
The blue is difficult to photograph. It can look almost black, yet in person I see a soft metallic colour with a purplish hue. That changeability is part of the attraction, and part of why this watch keeps defeating my attempts to capture it completely.
The watch
| Reference | 5626-7120 |
|---|---|
| My example | September 1971 |
| Family | King Seiko · 56KS |
| Manufacture | Suwa Seikosha |
| Movement | 5626 · automatic, day and date |
| Beat rate | 28,800 vibrations/hour · 4 Hz |
| Case | Stainless steel |
| Case width, without crown | 37.0 mm |
| Thickness, including crystal | 10.5 mm |
Dimensions measured on this example.