King Seiko 49999 Chronometer with a 27 jewel 4420A mechanical movement. The King Seiko 44 Chronometer was only made for three years, 1964, '65, and '66. This is the rare 49999 variant with Chronometer printed in script on the dial, as opposed to the more commonly found block letters. The case is stainless steel with the 14 KT gold King Seiko medallion on the case back. Grab this watch before you never see it again.
Information:
Pre-Owned: King Seiko 49999 Chronometer
Reference: 49999
Circa: 1960’s
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Case Size: 36mm
Lug Width: 18mm
Case Metal: Stainless Steel
Movement: Manual
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds
Box and Papers: Just Watch
Crystal: Plexiglass
Bracelet size: 8”
Caliber: 4420A
History of Seiko Watches
Seiko's history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a watch shop in Tokyo. In 1892, he established Seikosha, a factory for producing wall clocks. The company quickly progressed, creating Japan's first wristwatch, the Laurel, in 1913. Despite setbacks like the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, Seiko persevered, launching its first watch under the Seiko brand name in 1924.
The post-World War II era saw Seiko's rapid growth and innovation. They introduced Japan's first automatic wristwatch in 1956 and launched the prestigious Grand Seiko line in 1960. Seiko achieved international recognition for accuracy in 1968, winning a Geneva Observatory competition.
The company made a name for its divers in 1965 with the introduction of their first professional dive watch, the 62MAS. This was followed by the iconic 6159-7001 in 1968, which was water-resistant to 300 meters. Seiko gained international recognition in 1975 with the release of the 6159-7010, nicknamed the "Tuna Can" due to its distinctive case shape. In 1969, they revolutionized the industry with the Astron, the world's first quartz wristwatch, ushering a new era of watchmaking that would send waves across the industry through the 70s and 80s. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global watchmaking giant, Seiko's history is characterized by resilience, technological advancement, and a commitment to precision.
