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Grand Seiko “Hammered Steel” 5646-7040

Grand Seiko “Hammered Steel” 5646-7040

£2,000.00 GBP
£2,000.00 GBP
Sale Sold out
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Model: Grand Seiko “Hammered Steel” 5646-7040

Year: June 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:

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 show mild signs of wear - and the watch is aged as you might expect. The medallion is completely in tact. 

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

        Are your watches authentic?

        Everything we sell is 100% authentic.

        All of our watches are inspected and verified for authenticity - both inside and out. We have over 15 years of sourcing and collecting rare watches in Japan, which is often considered to be one of the best markets for authentic and fully original vintage watches.

        Do you ship globally?

        We are based in Japan and regularly ship all over the world. We typically use FedEx and it takes:

        • 3-7 business days to reach North America
        • 3-7 business days to reach Europe
        • 3-7 business days to reach Asia and Oceania.

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

        What condition are your watches?

        Due to the vintage and neo-vintage nature of the watches we typically sell, the condition varies from watch to watch. However, our photos are high resolution and our descriptions are accurate. You can buy with confidence knowing there won't be any nasty surprises.

        If the condition of a watch is ever misrepresented, we would offer a full refund.

        Are all of your watches serviced?

        Most but not all of our watches are serviced. The "Condition" section of each watch will confirm if the watch has been serviced.

        All of our watches are tested by an independent watchmaker - if a service is needed, the watch will be serviced. If a service hasn't been conducted, it's because the watch itself is too new to need a service, or there is evidence of a recent service.

        What payment methods do you accept?

        We accept payment by all major Credit Cards and Wise.com

        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 or new), and the import 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?

        Our serviced watches are typically tested to their original water resistant specifications, but we would never recommend pushing vintage or neo-vintage watches to their depth limits.

        What is your returns policy?

        Due to the vintage and neo-vintage nature of most of our watches, we do not offer returns under normal circumstances. All sales should be considered final.

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