The Seiko company began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori founded a clock repair store in central Tokyo. Hattori’s company made its first clock just 11 years later, and its first watch in 1895. Today, Seiko is run by Kintaro’s great-grandon, Shinji Hattori, and the company still strives for the levels of perfection set out by its founder.
‘Seiko’ is a Japanese word meaning ‘exquisite’ or ‘success’. Many successful world firsts have been achieved by Seiko watches, including the first quartz watch in 1969, the first multi-function digital watch in 1975, and the first analogue watch with a chronograph function in 1983. More recently, Seiko created the world’s first solar watch with the launch of its popular Seiko Astron in 2012.
Known for their accuracy and precision, Seiko watches incorporate many innovative technologies. Seiko Spring Drive is the result of 28 years hard work by Seiko engineer Yoshikazu Akahane, who was determined to make his dream of an ‘everlasting watch’ come true. The Seiko Watches Spring Drive technology, finally launched in 2005, is accurate to 1 second per day with a 72-hour power reserve and fast winding. As the movement has no escapement, all the motion within it is circular in a single direction, so the hands move constantly with a unique glide-motion.
The Seiko Kinetic technology was first unveiled in 1986 – the world’s first watch to convert kinetic movement into electric energy. Today, these Seiko watches are synonymous with environmental friendliness, high performance and long-lasting convenience. With all Kinetic calibres, the wearer automatically generates electrical energy by the movements of his or her wrist.
