# King Seiko Hi-Beat 45-7001 Review by A.I. WatchMetrics

## Watch Summary
The King Seiko Hi-Beat 45-7001 is a vintage dress watch from 1969-1971, showcasing Japanese craftsmanship with a 36mm stainless steel case, intricately textured silver multi-plane dial featuring applied indices and blued dauphine hands, powered by the manual-wind Caliber 4502 hi-beat movement beating at 36,000 vph with about 42 hours of power reserve, perfect for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate understated elegance, historical significance, and high-accuracy timekeeping without ostentation.

## Overall Watch Rating: 6.2/10.0

**Dials & Design Metric (9.2/10.0)** - Its mesmerizing multi-layered textured dial and refined proportions evoke the artistry of vintage Omega Constellations, setting a high bar for visual appeal in mid-century designs.

**Movement Metric (8.8/10.0)** - The Caliber 4502 delivers exceptional high-beat performance and decoration on par with premium manual winders like those from Universal Genève.

**History & Innovation Metric (8.5/10.0)** - Pioneering hi-beat technology and King Seiko's challenge to Swiss dominance mirror the innovative spirit of 1960s Heuer Carrera evolutions.

**Cohesiveness Metric (8.0/10.0)** - Seamlessly blending heritage, design, and technical prowess, it exemplifies King Seiko's unified philosophy like a well-curated single-model lineup.

**Versatility Metric (7.5/10.0)** - The wearable 36mm size and timeless aesthetics transition effortlessly from boardroom to weekend, akin to a polished Longines Conquest.

**Material Metric (7.5/10.0)** - Robust stainless steel with attractive brushing and polishing holds up well for its era, though acrylic crystal trails modern sapphire standards like in contemporary Tudors.

**Rarity Metric (6.1/10.0)** - Limited vintage production offers solid collectibility, more attainable than ultra-rare Grand Seikos but scarcer than mass Seikos.

**Brand Metric (5.8/10.0)** - King Seiko earns mid-tier prestige with dedicated following, comparable to Hamilton's jazz-era icons.

**Functions Metric (0.2/10.0)** - Basic time-only display falls short of multifunction peers like date-equipped Seiko 5s.

**Complications Metric (0.2/10.0)** - Absence of any extras keeps it simple against even entry-level chronographs from Tissot.

## Total Performance Score (TPS): 9.9

## WM Collector Grade: A+

## Performance Insights: Excels in dials & design, movement, history, and cohesiveness while basic functions and complications drag it down, delivering exceptional vintage value at a price well below its $3,060 implied fair market.

## TPS Interpretation: A+: This watch vastly overperforms its price with timeless design, innovative movement, and collector appeal bordering on luxury territory.

## Watch Data
[Picture URL] - https://www.chrono24-img.com/images/uhrenv2/4021234567-0.jpg; [backPicture] - https://www.chrono24-img.com/images/uhrenv2/4021234567-1.jpg; [lumePicture] - N/A; [Nickname] - Hi-Beat King Seiko; [Brand] - King Seiko; [Model] - 45-7001; [Country] - Japan; [Product Link] - https://www.chrono24.com/kingseiko/king-seiko-hi-beat-45-7001--id4021234567.htm; [reviewLink] - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/king-seiko-vintage-guide; [Movement Type] - Mechanical Manual; [Movement Name] - 4502; [# Secondary] - 0; [watchDescription] - Vintage 1969-1971 King Seiko Hi-Beat dress watch with 36mm steel case textured silver dial dauphine hands and high-beat manual movement; [caseWidth] - 36; [lugToLugLength] - 42; [thickness] - 11.5; [lug] - 18; [waterResist] - 50; [powerReserve] - 42; [beatFrequency] - 36000; [lume] - None; [jewels] - 17; [caseMaterial] - Stainless Steel; [watchGlass] - Acrylic; [Bezel] - Fixed; [caseback] - Solid; [Crown] - Signed; [Strap] - Leather; [Shape] - Round; [Dial] - Silver textured; [Seconds] - Yes; [Date] - No; [Calendar] - No; [Chiming] - No; [Chronograph] - No; [Compass] - No; [dateCompilation] - No; [DigitalDisplay] - No; [Dress] - Yes; [Field] - No; [GMT] - No; [Mechanical Alarm] - No; [Moonphase] - No; [Tourbillon] - No; [worldTimer] - No; [powerReserveIndicator] - No; [Diver] - No; [Pilot] - No; [racing] - No; [Skeleton] - No; [Vintage] - Yes; [StyleFormal] - Yes; [StyleCasual] - Yes; [StyleSports] - No; [StyleTravel] - No; [StyleAdventure] - No; [StyleCollector] - Yes; [StyleTool] - No; [StyleStatement] - No; [StyleVintage] - Yes; [StyleSmart] - No; [StyleCustom] - No; [TPS_new] - 9.9; [TPSgrade] - A+; [TPSimpliedPrice] - 3060;

**A.I. WatchMetrics Review v37.4 Grok 4 Fast. December 19, 2025.**