Grand Seiko 4520-8000 cap gold January 1971

Maker: Seiko
Model: Grand Seiko 4520-8000 hibeat cap gold
Year: January 1971
Case Material: Cap Gold
Case Dimensions: 36mm, thickness 9mm including crystal
Case serial: 110066
Caliber: 4520A 25jewels 
Service history: June 2023. Currently running at +1.7 seconds/day. 
Lug Width: 18mm
Bracelet/Strap: Horween brown calf leather strap from Accurate Form
Box/Papers: none

The Grand Seiko 4520-8000 is a historically important timepiece produced by Daini Seikosha Kameido factory, a subsidiary of Hattori Watch Company (aka. Seiko). One of the standout features of the Grand Seiko 4520-8000 (and its date window brother 4522) is its slim "grammar of design" case profile. At just 9mm thick, this watch is much thinner than other mechanical watches of the same era. The case famously was designed by Tanaka Taro, Seiko's first in house designer, and was first introduced in the 44GS - also produced by the Kameido factory. Powering the Grand Seiko 4520-8000 is the high-quality 4520A caliber-developed in-house by Daini Seikosha and arguably the greatest movement made by Seiko. Introduced in 1968, the Hi-Beat caliber 45 was used in both the King Seiko and Grand Seiko models, and is loved by Seiko enthusiasts around the world for its incredible accuracy. You can read more about the legendary movement here. The 45 family of movements represent the pinnacle of Japanese watchmaking achievement and its derivative competed in the 1968 Geneva watch competitions where it swept the mechanical watch category for accuracy beating out Swiss watchmakers.

This example we have on offer here is an all original cap gold Grand Seiko 4520-8000. Overall, this watch is in great vintage condition. The case has been polished in the past but retains its beautiful Tanaka grammar of design profile. The original silver/white dial is in very clean condition with no spotting or blemishes at all. As can be expected from a watch of this age, the original handset and crown shows some ageing but overall is in great shape. The caliber 4520 hibeat movement has just been serviced by our watchmaker in June 2023 and is currently running at an excellent +1.7 seconds per day. The case back is in great condition and the gold medallion on the case back is all original and is in near perfect shape. The watch also comes with a clear case back so that you can enjoy the beautiful 4520A caliber and preserve the original gold medallion case back.

Ships from Japan