Seiko

King Seiko Surprise on the OB Pier

Dec 24, 2020,09:02 AM

Santa, the mailman, and a skilled watchmaker brought me a "new" watch for Christmas; a watch with more writing on the dial than some Rolexes! Presenting the Seiko Superior Chronometer Officially Certified KS Hi-Beat.

Hi-Beat King Seikos (beating at 36,000 bph) were 98% of the quality of a Grand Seiko. A King Seiko trumped just about everything produced during the late 60’s to mid 70’s.

Some Seikos and Credors were even certified by Swiss Bureaux officiels de contrôle de la marche des montres (precursor to COSC). A chronometer was a precision watch, adjusted in several positions and different temperatures. Certificates were issued, attesting to the accuracy of a small batch of watches, verifying they showed rate variation (in five positions) of less than −1 to +10 seconds per day.

Seiko only participated in the Swiss official chronometer ratings from 1963 until the launch of its 45 calibre (this watch) in 1968. Seiko did well vis-a-vis its competition - to the annoyance of the Swiss. When a successor to the chronometer contest was established, the "COSC standard", they announced that "all parts used to build the movement must be made within Europe.” Seiko was shut out.

King Seiko production lasted only from 1968-1974. When Seiko introduced the Astron, the first quartz watch, in 1969 -- that led to the end of the KS high-beat movement.

Strapping on the 50-year old time machine, we headed out under cloudy skies. I wasn't expecting a sunrise, but we did catch one colorful (albeit slightly blurry) glimpse of downtown as we headed towards the ocean.

We decided to walk the pier today - no hills, no rocks, no snakes.

An aerial view from one of my many flights in years past. This is the longest concrete pier on the west coast, about 2000 feet from shore to tip.

The gulls provide sardonic/sarcastic looks at invading humanoids.

As always, the surfers were out before sunrise, forever hoping that one big wave will come ...

We found plenty of folks on the pier - fishermen, drifters, dog walkers, ruffians, city workers, policemen and us.

Commercial fishermen are busy setting or checking their nets.

Not the same gull, but they all have this "look" (perhaps it's the downturned tip of their bill), just slightly sour as when you run into your beloved grandma's pristine kitchen with mud on your shoes ...

This long shot across the beach to the river shows a tug coming out, surfers, walkers, dog beach, etc. It seems like an awful lot of people out here at 6:45am!

Mrs. C looks just slightly cold.

My friend Margaret knitted this hat for me, to keep my head warm on these early morning walks. Both it and the watch were pressed into their first service this morning.

It's time to start back up the pier and up the hill.

A good place for fish and chips, a catchy name too.

Twenty-five miles to the south, in Mexican waters, the Los Coronados islands.

A horde of hopefuls (mostly old geezers, I noticed)

Only a few were catching rides, but more were heading out as we left.

This gal wasn't certain; I can see the doubt in her face -- waves aren't that good, but I'm out here dressed to go, but my hair's not wet yet, should I bother?

Apparently Captain Scarlet is here vacationing over the holidays ... I thought the UK was locked down?

I want one! Lighter and more maneuverable than an Alpine 110.

The watch

and its gold medallion.

Thanks for reading along through these many posts. We will hold off walking on Christmas weekend, but we will be back on Monday because there are a handful of Seikos yet to be worn!

Merry Christmas to you all.

Cazalea

King Seiko Surprise on the OB Pier

King Seiko Surprise on the OB Pier

Merry Christmas to you and yours. Health wealth and Happiness.

Thanks Bill, for your part in making this great place possible

Merry Christmas!!!! First and foremost...

Thanks for all the nice photos, and a Nice vintage King Seiko.

Have a wonderful Christmas Mike and your wife too. Many thanks

Merry Christmas! A shame that...