This is a watch I have been desperate to find for some time!
A King Seiko Special Chronometer with the 5246 movement, but with the 6010 case rather than the more common 6000.
It has very similar case lines to the 5256-8010, 5246-7000 and 5246-6060 (also rare watches), although unlike those came with a brushed finish to lugs. Not sure if this one has ever been refinished or not (the lines aren't razor sharp but that may be an intended accompaniment/result of the brushed look), but if so it's been very well done.
One thing that isn't apparent from photos is that this is a pretty small watch, about 1mm smaller in all dimensions than even the other automatic King Seikos, including my 5256-8010. That watch uses exactly the same hands, but I hadn't been certain of that until I had the watches side by side, as the slightly smaller dial on the 5246-6010 makes them look longer!
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I LOVE the instant day & date change, a feature of the 5246 movement that was abandoned in the later 5256. It's blindingly fast - you actually can't see it move it is so quick, it just clicks and it's there! Mildly frustratingly, mine clicks over at two and a half minutes before midnight - if I could safely remove the crystal I would slightly reposition the minute hand to make it exact.
Just as a matter of interest, how common is this type of instant day/date change in mechanical watches in general? Did other brands have something similar or was it unique to Seiko?
The watch has a one-piece case with a regulating screw between the lugs. Unlike the one-piece 52xx series King Seikos the crystal is acrylic and still held firmly in place with a tension ring after the bezel is removed. I gather that the correct tool to remove and install the crystal is the Seiko S-14 one-piece case opener. In the lack of one of those, is there another safe way to do it?
A King Seiko Special Chronometer with the 5246 movement, but with the 6010 case rather than the more common 6000.
It has very similar case lines to the 5256-8010, 5246-7000 and 5246-6060 (also rare watches), although unlike those came with a brushed finish to lugs. Not sure if this one has ever been refinished or not (the lines aren't razor sharp but that may be an intended accompaniment/result of the brushed look), but if so it's been very well done.
One thing that isn't apparent from photos is that this is a pretty small watch, about 1mm smaller in all dimensions than even the other automatic King Seikos, including my 5256-8010. That watch uses exactly the same hands, but I hadn't been certain of that until I had the watches side by side, as the slightly smaller dial on the 5246-6010 makes them look longer!
I LOVE the instant day & date change, a feature of the 5246 movement that was abandoned in the later 5256. It's blindingly fast - you actually can't see it move it is so quick, it just clicks and it's there! Mildly frustratingly, mine clicks over at two and a half minutes before midnight - if I could safely remove the crystal I would slightly reposition the minute hand to make it exact.
Just as a matter of interest, how common is this type of instant day/date change in mechanical watches in general? Did other brands have something similar or was it unique to Seiko?
The watch has a one-piece case with a regulating screw between the lugs. Unlike the one-piece 52xx series King Seikos the crystal is acrylic and still held firmly in place with a tension ring after the bezel is removed. I gather that the correct tool to remove and install the crystal is the Seiko S-14 one-piece case opener. In the lack of one of those, is there another safe way to do it?
