Curiosities and history about the Seiko brand
Seiko is one of the most important and recognized watch brands in the world. This Japanese company is renowned for its innovative technology, precision and long history in watchmaking. It was founded in 1881 by Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo's Ginza district under the original name "K. Hattori".
Seiko's history dates back to the period when Japan began to embrace Western influences and technology. Kintarō Hattori, the company's founder, started out as a small jewelry and watch merchant. Later he started to manufacture his own wristwatches and in 1892 he introduced the first product called "Seikosha". This name means "House of Precision Work" in Japanese.
Seiko continued its development and in 1924 introduced the first Japanese wristwatch called "Laurel". This was the company's first step towards innovation and revolutionary technology in the field of watchmaking. Seiko has always strived to push the boundaries and create new standards in the industry.
In 1959, Seiko introduced its first automatic chronograph, and a year later, in 1960, it produced the world's first watch with a date function. These innovations helped the Seiko brand gain international recognition and position itself at the forefront of the watch industry.
One of Seiko's most famous innovations is the invention of the quarto movement. In 1969, the company introduced the Seiko Astron, the world's first commercially available wristwatch with a quartz movement. This revolutionary step in watchmaking brought higher accuracy, reliability and reduced the cost of making watches.
Seiko is also famous for its sports watches. In 1964, Seiko watches were officially selected as timekeepers for the Tokyo Olympics. Since then, Seiko has collaborated with many sporting events, including Formula 1 racing, diving and athletics. The company also developed the first watch designed for astronauts and was a pioneer in watches with GPS technology.
Another interesting thing about the Seiko brand is that it owns the production of all the important watch components. Seiko is the only watch manufacturer that manufactures its own movements, dials, indexes and other parts that are necessary to make a complete watch. This vertical integration allows Seiko to maintain tight control over the quality of its products.
Seiko has also earned a reputation as a brand with excellent design. The company works with renowned designers and artists to create watches that are not only technologically advanced, but also aesthetically impressive. Seiko watches are popular for their combination of elegance, durability and functionality.
Seiko is a brand that is synonymous with Japanese precision, innovation and tradition. Its influence in the watchmaking industry is evident through its many revolutionary technologies and designs. Seiko watches are sought after by collectors, watchmakers and enthusiasts around the world, and for good reason.
You can view our entire range of men's watches by clicking HERE.