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Seiko

The story of Seiko began in 1881, when a 21 year old entrepreneur, Kintaro Hattori, opened a shop selling and repairing watches and clocks in central Tokyo. Today, after more than 130 years of innovation, Kintaro Hattori’s company is still dedicated to the perfection that the founder always strove to achieve.

Highlights

1881

Kintaro Hattori opens a shop selling and repairing watches and clocks in Ginza, Tokyo.

1892

Kintaro Hattori bought a disused factory in Tokyo and Seikosha was formed. They initially started producing wall clocks.

1895

Seikosha builds the first pocket watch.

1913

The Laurel, the first wristwatch made in Japan, makes its debut.

1924

The first Seiko brand watch was produced.

1929

Seiko pocket watch is appointed as Japan National Railway's official "Railway Watch".

1956

Seiko starts to use "Diashock", a shock-resistance device, in their movements.

1959

Seiko debuts the Gyro Marvel. This is the first self-winding watch equipped with Seiko's proprietary "magic lever' system.

1960

Seiko's signature piece, the Grand Seiko is first launched.

1964

Seiko serves as Official Timer of the18th Olympiad, Tokyo, and provides 1,278 timing devices.

1964

The brand introduced Japan's first wristwatch equipped with a stopwatch chronograph.

1965

Seiko produced the first Japanese Diver's watch

1967

Seiko sent calibre 45 movements to the Neuchatel Observatory Competition, and Geneva Observatory competition and passed their rigorous testing.

1969

1969 marked the introduction of cal. 6139 — the world’s first automatic chronograph watch equipped with both vertical clutch and column wheel.

1969

Introduction of the world’s first quartz watch — the “Seiko Quartz Astron”.

1973

Introduction of the world’s first six-digit LCD quartz watch cal. 0614.

1975

Introduction of the world’s first multi-function digital watch cal. 0634.

1975

Introduction of the world’s first diver’s watch with titanium case, the Professional Diver’s 600m.

1982

Introduced the world’s first TV watch.

1983

The world's first Voice Recording Watch 'Voice Note' which featured in the movie 'Ghostbusters'.

1983

Introduction of the world’s first analog quartz watch with chronograph, designed by celebrated Italian car designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. The watch went on to gain cult status after being worn by Sigourney Weaver in the film, Aliens.

1984

Introduction of the world’s first watch with computer functions UC-2000.

1986

The world's first Diver's 1000m with a ceramic outer case.

1987

Seiko served as Official Timer of the IAAF World Championships in Rome, Italy.

1988

Introduction of the world’s first “A.G.S.” watch cal. 7M22 (later renamed as “Kinetic.”)

1990

Introduction of the world’s first computerized diver’s watch “Scubamaster” cal. M726 with dive table and depth meter functions.

1991

Served as Official Timer of the IAAF World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

1992

Seiko serves as the Official Timer at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.

1999

Introduction of Spring Drive, a spring-driven luxury mechanical watch with quartz accuracy.

1999

Introduction of the Ultimate Kinetic Chronograph cal. 9T82.

2005

Introduction of the world’s first three-band (Japan, Germany, US) Radio Wave analog Solar watch.

2005

Introduction of the Kinetic Perpetual.

2006

Introduction of world's first E-Ink watch.

2007

Introduction of the Spring Drive Chronograph.

2010

Introduction of Seiko Spring Drive Spacewalk commemorative edition. This watch was specifically designed for a spacewalk, and wont he Sports Watch category of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève that year.

2012

Introduction of the world’s first GPS Solar watch, Seiko Astron GPS Solar.

2013

Seiko celebrates its 100th Anniversary of Seiko watchmaking.

2015

Seiko wins the “Petite Aiguille” prize at the 2014 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, with its Hi-beat 36000 GMT limited Edition (SBGJ005).

2017

Grand Seiko becomes an independent brand from Seiko.

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Collections

Seiko Astron GPS Solar

The Astron GPS Solar is world’s first solar powered watch that connects to the GPS satellites up above. That results in unbeatable atomic clock precision. The Astron GPS Solar collection consists of high-tech, all-round watches that adjust to the time zone at the touch of a button. And because the watch takes all its energy from light it never needs a battery change.

Seiko Prospex

Seiko’s most adventurous watch collection Prospex is a composed word meaning “professional specifications”. And that name says it all. A rugged, strong, and water resistant Prospex watch is ready for anything. Be it in the deep under the water surface, up in the mountains with the famous Alpinist series, flying above the clouds, and even on rugged urban streets.

Seiko Presage

With Presage the watchmakers at Seiko have found a way to incorporate striking Japanese aesthetics, with traditional craftsmanship and watchmaking skills in a collection of watches that have a lot to offer. A Presage watch is an affordable quality watch that ensures long-lasting performance. The collection ranges from elegant dress watches to sports orientated models.

Seiko 5 Sports

The Seiko 5 Sports has a special place in the hearts of many watch lovers worldwide. For more than 50 years Seiko 5 Sports stands for reliability, durability, and great value for money. That’s the reason why the love for mechanical watches often starts with a Seiko 5 sports. Seiko recently revived the collection. And that resulted in a model range that looks fresh, sporty, and fun.