The 56KS is the automatic King Seiko: a hacking Hi-Beat movement in a sharp, faceted case, made from 1968 to 1975. It is one of the best-value ways into high-grade vintage Seiko.
Quick facts
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Calibers | 5621, 5625, 5626 |
| Made | 1968 to 1975, by Suwa Seikosha |
| Beat rate | 28,800 vph (Hi-Beat) |
| Hacking / hand-winding | Yes / No |
| Typical case | 36 to 37 mm, about 10 mm thick, 42 mm lug-to-lug |
| Chronometer versions | 56KCM (5625) and 56KWM (5626) |
Common references
| Reference | Notes |
|---|---|
| 5625-7000 | 37 mm, 10 mm thick, silver dial |
| 5626-7000 | 37 mm, 10 mm thick, silver dial |
| 5625-7040, 5626-7040 | Chronometer, 36 mm, 10.6 mm thick |
| 5626-7110/7111/7113 | Later cases; caseback style changed in 1972 and 1973 |
What to check before you buy
- Case facets. The flat, polished bevels are the point of a King Seiko. Rounded edges mean heavy polishing.
- Crown. Fratello’s first check: the crown should be the original signed one.
- Medallion and caseback. Use the caseback type to cross-check the date: the 5626-7110 family moved from a gold medallion to ‘KS’ letters in 1972, then to a screw-back.
- Hands and markers. Look for rust or flaking; it is hard to fix without replacing parts.
Typical 2026 price for a running, original example in very good condition: $350 – $620 (see the vintage Seiko price guide). Adjust for your watch’s condition and parts in the value calculator. To date it, read the serial number guide or check the Seiko caliber list.
For the hand-wound side of Seiko’s high-beat story, see the Lord Marvel 5740 guide.
Looking for one?
Garasi Opung, the Jakarta dealer behind this site, hand-checks every vintage Seiko before listing it. Browse the Etsy shop, the eBay store or garasiopung.com, and run any listing’s caseback through the Franken Checker before you buy, ours included.
Frequently asked questions
Who made the King Seiko 56KS?
The King Seiko catalogue archive at kingseiko.afka.net lists the 56KS as the only King Seiko made by Suwa Seikosha rather than Daini Seikosha.
What does Hi-Beat mean on a 56KS?
Fratello explains that on the automatic King Seikos it means 28,800 vph, not the 36,000 vph of the hand-wound Hi-Beat models.
How do I know if my King Seiko is a chronometer?
The 56KCM and 56KWM references were sold with chronometer certificates. Fratello notes a six-digit number engraved on the main plate below the caliber marks a chronometer movement.