Seiko Lord Matic (LM) 5606: a buyer's guide

The Lord Matic sits one step above the Seiko 5: a dressier automatic from the late 1960s and 1970s, with more jewels, a faster-beating movement and some of the most beautiful dials Seiko made at the price.

What makes a Lord Matic

• The 5606 movement: automatic, 25 jewels, beating 28,800 times per hour (the Seiko 5 movements of the time beat 21,600). The faster beat gives a smoother seconds hand.
• Day and date, often with a Japanese kanji day wheel (日 月 火 水 木 金 土) alongside English.
• Dial and case quality a level above the Seiko 5: applied markers, sunburst and textured dials, sharper case finishing.
• The LM logo and "25 Jewels" on the dial, and a reference starting with 5606 on the caseback, for example 5606-7192.

What to check before you buy

• The dial code at 6 o'clock should start with 5606, like the caseback. A different number means the dial came from another watch.
• Print quality: sharp, even lettering. Blurry or thick print is a sign of a repaint. Our dial guide explains what to look for.
• Production date from the serial: use our decoder.
• Service history: an unserviced Lord Matic that runs well is common, but a service makes a real difference to accuracy and value.

What they sell for in Europe

From our own research of European sales on eBay and Catawiki in autumn 2026: unserviced Lord Matics in good condition usually sell for around €110–200. Serviced examples with clean original dials reach around €250–350. Rare dials and colours sell for more.