Seiko King Quartz

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Seiko King Quartz

The Seiko King Quartz Watches debuted in 1975 as a premium offering alongside the Grand Quartz brand. With contributions from both Suwa Seikosha and Daini Seikosha, the King Quartz set a benchmark for precision and design in quartz timekeeping. Here's a detailed timeline of its evolution:

1975: The Launch of King Quartz

The first King Quartz models were launched in the high-to very high end range including A solid gold Daini model priced at one million Yen was the highlight, comparable to Suwa's Grand Quartz - but most King Quartz models featured steel cases and were priced under 72,000 Yen.

  • First Models:
    • Suwa Seikosha introduced the 48KQ, featuring Cal. 4823 (day-date) and Cal. 4822 (date-only).
    • Daini Seikosha unveiled the 08KQ, with Cal. 0853 (day-date) and Cal. 0852 (date-only).

1975–1977: Refinements and Updates

  • Suwa's “A” versions (Cal. 4822A and 4823A) debuted, offering 10 seconds per month accuracy.
  • Later in 1975, “B” versions (Cal. 4822B and 4823B) improved precision to an astonishing 1 second per month.
  • Daini Seikosha maintained parity with Suwa, offering equivalent pricing and specifications for its 08KQ models.

1977–1979: Introduction of Advanced Movements

  • 1977:
    • Daini Seikosha launched the Cal. 58 series for the King Quartz, replacing the earlier 08 range.
  • 1978:
    • Daini introduced the Twin Quartz Cal. 92 in the Grand Quartz line, which influenced subsequent King Quartz models.

1979–1981: Twin Quartz Technology and New Models

  • 1979:
    • Suwa released the 99KQ, while Daini launched the 97KQ, both sharing the revolutionary Twin Quartz technology, offering 20 seconds per year accuracy.
  • 1980:
    • Daini introduced the 96KQ, another Twin Quartz model with 20 seconds per year precision.
  • 1981:
    • The final King Quartz caliber, the 94KQ, debuted with similar Twin Quartz specifications.

1985: The End of an Era

Vintage Seiko King Quartz, along with the Grand Quartz range, were retired in 1985, marking the conclusion of a decade-long legacy of quartz innovation.

The King Quartz collection remains a symbol of Seiko's commitment to precision, design, and groundbreaking quartz technology, leaving a lasting impression on the history of horology - and can often be purchased for a relatively fair and affordable price.