====== King Seiko 45KS ======

{{wst>author|[[Foskett, Stephen|Stephen Foskett]] ([[https://grail-watch.com/|Grail Watch]])}}

The [[King Seiko]] **45KS** was a luxury watch produced by [[Daini Seikosha]] for [[Seiko]] from [[1968]] to [[1974]].

===== History =====
Daini developed the 45KS to challenge in-house rival [[Suwa Seikosha]]'s [[Grand Seiko]] line for technical dominance. It features a [[Hi-Beat]] 36,000 A/h movement like the contemporary [[Grand Seiko 61GS]] from Suwa, albeit still [[hand wound]]. This same movement, the [[Seiko 4500]], was also used in Daini's own [[Grand Seiko 45GS]], which was produced at the same time. The primary difference was case finishing and the accuracy of the movement Grand Seiko models went beyond [[chronometer]] grade, while only some King Seiko movements could reach that level of accuracy.

The 45KS line was produced from the height of the classic mechanical watch period through the [[quartz crisis]] before petering out and ending production in the early 1970's. It was the last hand-built King Seiko, with the [[King Seiko 56KS]] and [[King Seiko 52KS]] using highly-automated movements for reliability. It was also the last of the 36,000 A/h movements from Daini.

===== Models =====
The 45KS lineup was mostly traditionally-cased, with just a few options available. The majority of 45KS models feature "Grand Seiko Style" cases reminiscent of the legendary [[Grand Seiko 44GS]] from Daini, with only the pillow-bodied -8000 and curving -8010 models really deviating. All featured simple faces and hands and a golden "KS" medallion on the case back, a feature later removed from the line.

===== Movements =====
The 45KS line used Daini's [[Seiko 4500|4500 calibre]], a [[hand winding]] "[[Hi-Beat]]" chronometer. This is the only King Seiko model to offer a 36,000 A/h movement All later "Hi-Beat" King Seiko models oscillated at 28,800 A/h. The King Seiko mainly used the basic "45" model with no day or date or the 4502 model with date only.

===== See Also =====
  * [[King Seiko]]
  * [[Seiko]]

===== External Links =====
  * [[http://www.seiyajapan.com/pages/the-history-of-grand-seiko|The History of Grand Seiko]]
  * [[http://timeuniverse.com/photodatabase/watches/ks_history/index.html|KS History]]


<WRAP ud ud_mod>

**Movement:**
  * [[Hand winding]] movement [[Seiko 4500]]
  * 25 [[jewels]]

**Case:**
  * [[Stainless steel]]

**Functions:**
  * Hours, minutes, [[central seconds]]
  * Optional [[quickset]] date
</WRAP>

{{tag>Watch_models Seiko_models King_Seiko_models}}