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Grand Seiko “Hammered Steel” 5646-7040

Grand Seiko “Hammered Steel” 5646-7040

£1,800.00 GBP
£1,800.00 GBP
Sale Sold out
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Model: Grand Seiko “Hammered Steel” 5646-7040

Year: July 1973

Features:

The Collection. Pick any 56GS calibre and you’ll have an excellent vintage watch on your wrist - but the 5646-7040 on offer today has a few standout elements that set it apart from the pack.

The Production. To start with, it was only produced for a single month. I know, that’s a bizarre claim to make - but it’s supposedly true. Even anecdotally, whenever I spot a Hammered Steel in the wild, the serial number always starts with a 36 - meaning June 1973. Seiko produced the dozens of other 56GS pieces over years, not even just months. And while it was Grand Seiko’s final collection before closing its mechanical doors in 1975 due to the Quartz “Crisis”, it didn’t stop producing other 56GS models until the very end. 

The Dial. This is the only vintage Grand Seiko to feature Arabic numerals. To clarify - not just the only 56GS, but the only vintage Grand Seiko, full stop. 134 watches, but only one with numbered hour markers. 

The Calendar Wheel. Why are Saturdays blue and Sundays red, as shown above, on Seiko day wheels? Red symbolises a day of closure, whereas blue was chosen (from the limited CMYK palette available to printing presses at the time) to represent a half-day of work. You’ll often see the existence of the coloured days being linked to the 1973 Oil Crisis, but that’s a myth. The existence of the 6246-9001 proves Seiko adopted blue Saturdays as early as 1967 - and possibly even earlier. Blue Saturdays actually stem from a societal shift in the early 1960s, when Japan began transitioning away from the traditional six-day work week.

Specifications:

The Condition: In very good condition overall. Just serviced. The hammered surfaces are in beautiful condition, and the watch is completely unpolished. The flat, unhammered sides of the case show marks. 

Scope: No box or papers

Movement: 5646A Automatic with Quickset and Dual Languages

Dimensions:

  • Case Width: 35.5mm
  • Lug to Lug: 40.3mm
  • Case Thickness: 10.1mm
  • Lug Width: 18mm
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        FAQs

        Do you ship globally?

        Absolutely - our watches are regularly shipped all over the world. Shipping typically takes:

        • 4-9 business days to reach North America
        • 4-12 business days to reach Europe
        • 4-12 business days to reach Asia and Oceania.

        All of our packages are securely shipped, fully insured, and trackable door-to-door.

        Do I have to pay customs or taxes?

        It depends on so many factors, including but not limited to; the cost of the watch, the type of watch you've bought (vintage, new, or modified), and the import and tax laws of your country. If you're unsure we recommend checking the import laws that relate to your country before ordering.

        Are your watches water resistant?

        All of our watch mods are tested by our own pressure depth testing equipment, and are guaranteed to resistant water up to 50m of depth. Seiko Originals have varied levels of depth resistance, which will be stated in the description of each watch.

        Can I modify an existing design?

        We welcome all ideas! Get in touch via the Contact Us page and we can let you know the possibility and cost of any potential alterations.

        What is your returns policy?

        Due to the hand-made nature of the Seiko Mods, we offer a 7 day returns period after the watch has been received. The returner must bear the cost of the returns, and the watch must be returned in the same condition as it arrived. We do not offer returns on any bespoke or custom-made watches.

        Due to the vintage nature of the Seiko Originals, returns are considered on a case-by-case basis, as vintage items typically have a no returns policy.

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