King Seiko "First"
This is a first-generation King Seiko J14102, built by Daini Seikosha around 1963 as the answer to Suwa's Grand Seiko. It has a 14K gold-filled case, a textured silver dial, faceted indexes, and the original gold shield medallion on the back.
Hand-wound, 25 jewels, running well.
At a glance
HOW WE ASSESS
Condition, originality, function and service history are assessed from our inspection and the information available to us. Where something cannot be independently verified, we say so.
Latest finds
Not every watch is worth collecting. We seek out the ones that are.
King Seiko “First” Ref. J14102 – 14K Gold Filled, Circa 1963
This is where King Seiko began. In 1961, Seiko’s Daini Seikosha factory in Kameido answered Suwa’s Grand Seiko with a high-grade line of its own. The result was this watch: a restrained, beautifully built dress watch that started one of the great rivalries in Japanese watchmaking.
This example has the classic first-generation look. The flat silver dial has a fine textured finish, and the faceted applied indexes include a doubled marker at 12. The sharp dauphine hands and the “Diashock 25 Jewels” signature are all as they should be. The 14K gold-filled case has a period-correct thick gold layer, and the screw-down caseback still carries its applied gold King Seiko shield medallion. Collectors look for that detail, and it’s often worn or missing on surviving examples.
Inside is the hand-wound 25-jewel King Seiko movement, signed on the bridge.
Found there. Collected here.
Japan's watchmaking history extends far beyond the familiar names and celebrated references. We search across Japan for watches with character, history and a reason to be collected—from recognized classics to remarkable pieces that have been overlooked along the way.
More from Ojisan
Seiko 5 Sports Speed-Timer 6139 Green Gradient
This is a Seiko 5 Sports Speed-Timer 6139-8050 from around 1974, one of the world's first automatic chronographs. It has an emerald-to-forest green gradient dial, a silver 30-minute counter, an orange chrono hand, and a fresh overhaul.
Seiko Brightz “Bombay Sapphire” Limited Edition
This is a Seiko Brightz "Bombay Sapphire" SAGA155, a numbered limited edition of 300 from Seiko's collaboration with Bacardi. It has a sunburst blue dial with gold accents, a retrograde day indicator set with seven sapphires, a world-time bezel, and a solar radio-controlled movement.
Casio G-Shock MR-G Frogman MRG-1100
This is a Casio G-Shock MR-G Frogman MRG-1100 from around 1999–2000. It has a titanium case and bracelet, a blue anodised bezel ring, the engraved Frogman caseback, and Diver's 200m dive functions. Made in Japan, and one of the first all-metal Frogmen.