Seiko story. About the history of Seiko

Seiko is a leader among watch manufacturers

In 1881, Kintaro Hatori founded K. Hattori & Co. Ltd, which was engaged in the sale and repair of watches. This is how the history of the Seiko Corporation began. In 1892, the company began its own production of pocket watches, and a few years later - alarm clocks and table clocks. In 1912, with the start of wristwatch production, the company began to develop rapidly.

In 1917, to attract additional capital, the company was transformed into a joint stock company, and today the total capital of Seiko Watch Corporation is more than $100 million. In 1924, the company received the Seiko brand for wristwatches - precision. The company receives the same name.

Seiko watches are becoming extremely popular in Japan. Companies are becoming crowded in the country. The first overseas branch opens in Hong Kong. Today the corporation has representative offices in the USA - Seiko Corporation of America ("American Seiko Corporation"), Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Canada, Sweden and other countries. In the 1930s, Seiko factories continued to increase production. Accuracy and originality of execution make Japanese watches extremely popular both in the Land of the Rising Sun and abroad. More than a million watches are produced per year.

The company's developers are constantly experimenting, looking for new structural and design solutions, working on precision and workmanship. In the 60s, the company's motto “a company that should surprise” received logical confirmation. Almost immediately, several new products appear that represent revolutionary solutions in the field of watch manufacturing technology.

Undoubtedly, the revolution that changed the course of watchmaking history was the appearance in 1969 of the Seiko Astron 35 SQ quartz wristwatch with an accuracy of 1 minute per year. This model is recognized as the best quartz watch in the world. The original cost of this watch was about $1,250, which was equal to the cost of an average car in Japan. However, the sales level was very high.

The predecessor to the quartz watch was the first quartz chronometer, released in 1964. From this moment on, the corporation becomes the official timekeeper of many Olympic Games and World Cups and other sports competitions of world significance. For the first time, Seiko chronometers were used at the 1964 Olympic Games, held in the company's homeland.

In 1973, Seiko quartz watches were equipped with a backlit liquid crystal display and acquired modern features. This is the appearance that many manufacturers’ electronic watches now have. But the company does not stop there and in 1974 produces watches with an accuracy of ±5 seconds per year.

During these years, Seiko products gained worldwide recognition. Even in the Soviet Union, Seiko watches are a sign of the owner’s prestige, and in official propaganda they are associated with a “capitalist lifestyle.” On the black market, Seiko quartz watches accounted for a significant portion of sales.

English snobbery and conceit are known to everyone. However, James Bond in the films of these years wears Seiko Quartz Analog and Seiko LCD Digital, replacing the purely English traditional Rolex. The company did not build a transmitter into his watch. This "invention" belongs to the authors of the film. But the company produced watches with a built-in TV. In addition, there was a watch with a built-in voice recorder. Models with a built-in calculator and an alarm clock are quite common.

Electronic watches have one significant drawback. This is a battery that requires periodic replacement. One of the operating principles of Seiko is that a person should remember the watch only when it is necessary to know the time. This position is implemented in Kinetic quartz watches, where the automatic winding system is combined with electronics.

The idea was this: the automatic winding spring was loaded onto a pulse generator, which in turn recharged the storage capacitor, which in this case is a battery. It's practically a perpetual motion machine. The system is very complex and high-tech. Here, Seiko designers used their own developments from previous years. In addition to Seiko, such watches are produced by Romanson and Certina.

By the way, the Kinetic watch is not the only Seiko electronic watch that does not have a traditional battery. In 1999, at the international watch exhibition in Basel, a watch using the thermocouple principle was demonstrated. In this case, the difference between the temperature of the human body and the external environment is converted into electrical energy.

Today, the Seiko brand is better known in the world as a manufacturer of relatively inexpensive and reliable quartz watches. But, like other well-known companies Sinix, Casio, Valentino, the company produces prestigious and unique models. Collections such as Rivoly, Vivace, Arctura are made from original parts and are rightfully considered world fashion trendsetters.

History of the Seiko brand. The Seiko brand has been out of competition for decades, and all thanks to innovations and advanced technologies that have never allowed us to get close to the Seiko company. The Seiko brand has no analogues and all technologies are patented. 1 - Seiko is a manufactory, all the parts from which the watch is subsequently assembled are manufactured in one factory. From watch design and engineering to final assembly and diagnostics. 2 - Seiko uses the most expensive materials to produce its watches. 3 - Seiko is a company that has been leading the world with its technology and innovation for more than 80 years. 3 - Combining Seiko's solar technology with GPS required years of painstaking and innovative R&D, resulting in more than 100 patent applications. 4 - Only Seiko's latest energy-efficient technologies could have led to the invention of a miniature GPS receiver that requires very little power to receive GPS signals from at least four satellites. Only Seiko's exceptional expertise in micro-engineering has ensured that these technologies are housed in a watch that measures just 47mm in diameter and weighs approximately 135 grams (including the high-strength titanium case and bracelet). Finally, only Seiko's advanced developments in the field of integrated circuit layout could make it possible to divide the entire world into a million “squares” and determine the time zone for each of them. 5 - Seiko is simplicity, lightness and ease of wearing. 6 - Seiko is a great pleasure to wear. 7 - Seiko Astron and again the Japanese surprised us. When you get off the plane, just press a button and the time zone will be automatically adjusted. Automatic time correction takes only 6 seconds (with an accuracy of one second every hundred thousand years!), and location determination takes only 30 seconds. The adjustment is made regardless of whether you are standing still or in motion. In other words, if you can see the sky, you can tell the time. Switching to and from daylight saving time is also done with one click. The date will always be accurate: the perpetual calendar of the Seiko Astron watch is designed for the period until February 2100. Ease of use is further improved with the help of Seiko solar technology. This ensures that maintenance does not cause problems. The watch is powered by all types of daylight, so no battery replacement is required. Time management has never been so easy. No matter where you travel, the new Seiko Astron watch will always keep the correct time. Without requiring any effort. 8 - Japan's first self-winding mechanical watch (1955) 9 - The world's first quartz pointer chronograph (1964), but most importantly, in 1969 Seiko announced the beginning of the era of quartz wristwatches. 10 - The piezoelectric effect, on which the principle of operation of the quartz mechanism is based, was discovered by Curie at the end of the 19th century, and the clock mechanism was developed by Morrison only in the 30s of the 20th century. It took scientists another five years to improve the mechanism, and only after that it became possible to use it in watches. The example of this discovery shows that the pace of that time was not conducive to speed of action. Against this background, Seiko's developments are being implemented at fantastic speed. 11 - Five years after the quartz chronograph, the first quartz wall clock and the famous Seiko Astron 35SQ wristwatch were released, four years later the first quartz watch with a six-digit LCD display and backlight went on sale. After this, the first ultra-precise Twin Quartz watches were created, the accuracy of which was plus or minus 5 seconds per year. At the end of the 70s, this is one of the best indicators of accuracy. This is why Seiko has been the official timekeeper of many Olympic Games since 1964. 12 - Since 1913, the company has been steadily growing, and by 1970, in addition to Chinese branches, a large representative office of the company appeared in the United States, which would later become known as the Seiko Corporation of America (“Seiko Corporation of America”). The collection of trademarks owned by the company is also expanded: Lassale and Pulsar become the property of the company. 13 - In the late 70s and early 80s, Seiko gained the title of one of the most progressive companies, and its technological innovations received worldwide recognition. Even James Bond, in four films of that period, parted with the classic Rolex, and Seiko Quartz Analog and Seiko LCD Digital appeared on his wrist, complemented by such fantastic devices as a built-in radio transmitter, a time bomb, etc. The real new Seiko products are no less fantastic. For example, a TV built into a clock is an invention that may be useless, but intriguing. In the 90s, watches with recording capabilities, as well as watches with computer functions, went on sale. Seiko was also one of the first to sell scuba watches with a special dive map. At the same time, the company's inventors create a unique "economical" Sapphlex glass with sapphire coating. The coating has all the characteristics of real sapphire glass, and the bottom non-functional layer of ordinary glass saves production costs. 14 - The results of long work on the construction of watches of the 21st century: one of the options for a “perpetual” watch mechanism is the Kinetic quartz watch, in which there is no need to change the battery. The energy from the movement of your hand is transformed into electricity, so the watch will work as long as you wear it. Another version of the mechanism without a battery was demonstrated in 1999 at an exhibition in Basel. This model works by using the difference between the temperature of a person's hand and the ambient temperature. 15 - Seiko still produces exclusive mechanical watches. The Grand Seiko model, released in 1960, marked the beginning of the collection under the same name. The first watch of this series broke the monopoly of Swiss watchmakers on ultra-precise watches: the possible error of this mechanical model is +12/-3 seconds per day. The accuracy of quartz models is +5 seconds per year. Compared to models of modern design, the watches of the GS collection stand out with their classic proportions and strict design. Wide hands, which harmoniously complement the classic case, allow you to tell the time even in the twilight. Diamond cutting technology is used to process the dial marks, so they reflect even the slightest light and are visible in any lighting. Such things do not go out of fashion - they, like good wine, only increase in price. The four main characteristics that all Seiko watches meet - accuracy, simplicity, durability and quality - are the formula for customer trust in the company's products. 16 - Since 2008, Seiko has switched to using environmentally friendly batteries that do not contain mercury. 17 - Seiko positions itself in three price segments (affordable, mid-range, premium) 18 - All Seiko watches, regardless of price, are shockproof and since 2008, all Seiko watches are waterproof (minimum 10 bar - surface swimming and immersion up to 10 meters, 100 meters - diving up to 100 meters deep, 200 meters - diver diving up to 250 meters deep. 19 - All Seikos have great water resistance and are recognized as the most durable in the world. Seiko service life is from 50 to 120 years. every 10 years, battery replacement in quartz models every 5 years, battery replacement in kinetic models every 25 years. 21 - Seiko has held the distinction of being the most accurate watch in the world for over 100 years!

Four SEIKO technologies: Spring Drive, Kinetic, mechanical and quartz watches.

Spring Drive

1977 A young SEIKO engineer began to wonder how he could make his dream of a “perpetual watch” a reality. And finally he managed to create a mechanism with a central spring and an accuracy of one second per day, possible only for the best electronic watches. This engineer, named Yoshikazu Akahane, was a tenacious man who dedicated himself to the watch industry. It took him 28 years to make many fruitless attempts and develop more than 600 prototypes. However, in the end, he and his team finally managed to create new technologies in every field of watchmaking. In 2005, the SEIKO Spring Drive model was finally released.

Four key features of Spring Drive:

The precision, reliability and durability of the Spring Drive are a result of advances in four key areas of luxury watchmaking.

1.High precision.Tri-synchronous controller controls and releases the mechanical, electrical and electromagnetic energy generated by the spring. It replaces the transmission mechanism, and thanks to the one-way movement, it is more reliable, durable and accurate. Spring Drive is a unique watch with an accuracy of up to 1 second per day.

2. Smooth movements of the arrow. Since the mechanism does not have a gear, all movements in it are made in a circle, in one direction, which allows the arrow to move smoothly. Spring Drive is the only clock in the world that accurately reflects the natural passage of time.

3.Large energy reserve. New generation springs produce more power, run smoother and last longer. A special alloy developed in-house by SEIKO generates even more power and is also extremely durable and highly resistant to rust and high temperatures. The Spring Drive has a power reserve of 72 hours, even when the chronometer is running continuously.

4.Fast winding mechanism. In 1959, Seiko invented an original technology based on the mechanical watch winding mechanism, the "Magic Lever". This helped to increase the efficiency of automatic winding, due to the energy generated with each oscillation of the rotor. The new "Magic Lever" system is mounted directly on the rotor shaft and provides more efficient power transfer than ever before.

Mechanism.

Source of energy. The only driving force is the main spring.

Broadcast. The spring force is transmitted via a gear train - to the pointer and to the Tri-synchronous regulator.

Regulation. The tri-synchronous controller controls the slip wheel and pointer with electromagnetic braking.

Three key innovations:

Tri-synchronous regulator. Specially developed by SEIKO's leading employees.

1. Controls the mechanical energy of the spring.

2. Converts a small portion of this energy into electricity to power quartz crystals.

3. Creates magnetic resonance to regulate the speed of the sliding wheel.

Due to the fact that three different forms of energy are used, the regulator is called “tri-synchronous”.

Main spring. SEIKO has developed a new alloy with increased elasticity "Spron 510" for the spring. SPRON 510* is a unique SEIKO alloy that is industry leading and features enhanced power and precision.

Magic Lever. Magic Lever is a unique winding system first developed by SEIKO in 1959. In the SPRING DRIVE model, the new Magic Lever winding system is installed directly on the rotor shaft and is characterized by higher efficiency. Thanks to it, the plant time is reduced and more energy is saved.

Kinetic

Kinetic became the platform for the creation of a series of watches, as well as the Mechanical and Quartz series. In the Kinetic quartz watch, Seiko managed to combine automatic winding with electronics, which made it possible to do without replacing the battery. Over the past 20 years, SEIKO has built a series of Kinetic movements on this platform, each bringing unique capabilities to consumers.

At the 1986 Basel Fair, SEIKO presented its first Kinetic prototype. It was presented to the public under the tentative name "AGM". This model was the first watch in the world that could convert kinetic energy of movement into electrical energy. This was the first step in the development of this technology and led to the fact that 20 years later the Kinetic brand has gained a reputation for environmentally friendly, high-performance and convenient technology among users around the world. Since the release of the first commercially available watch (then called AGS) in 1988, more than eight million Kinetic watches have been sold (as of 2007).

In 1998, the Kinetic Auto Relay was released and the resting life of the watch increased to four years. In 1999, the Ultimate Kinetic Chronograph was released, an unrivaled masterpiece that embodied SEIKO's expertise in making electronic and mechanical watches, followed by another Kinetic Chronograph in 2003. The Kinetic Perpetual was first introduced at Baselworld 2005, embodying the convenience and durability of the Kinetic. It also featured a perpetual calendar, available until 2100. In 2007, the Kinetic Direct Drive model was released, which featured emotional technology specially developed by SEIKO.

1.SEIKO Kinetic Direct Drive is the epitome of SEIKO technology with an emotional twist. SEIKO offers new features to complement the convenience and environmental friendliness found in all SEIKO Kinetic Series models.

Two winding options. As with all existing Kinetic models, the wearer automatically produces electrical energy by moving the wrist. In the new Kinetic Direct Drive model, the owner can wind the watch by simply twisting the wheel.

Indicator functions. The Kinetic Direct Drive model shows not only the energy reserve, but also the charge level when the watch owner turns the winding wheel. The owner can directly see and feel how energy is directly transferred from the winding wheel to the reserve. The Kinetic Direct Drive model creates direct interaction between the watch and its owner!

2.Kinetic Chronograph. Unlike regular watches, the dials that show time are located off-center. The central hand is the seconds hand, which can show time with an accuracy of 1/5 of a second. The hour and minute dials displaying the current time are displayed at the bottom of the watch screen, and the seconds dial is displayed at the top left. The minutes are shown on a fan-shaped dial at the top right of the watch screen and can show the time up to 45 minutes. The reverse reset function returns all hands to their original position simultaneously by pressing the reset button. This feature is available on every hand and operates through a mechanism that operates using a cardioid cam, which is typically used for mechanical chronometers.

Movement Specifications (Caliber 7L22)

Powered by your hand movements

Operating time when fully charged: about 5 months

Chronometer: up to 45 minutes at 1/5 second

3.Kinetic Perpetual. The Kinetic Perpetual combines the classic beauty of a perpetual calendar, valid until February 28, 2100, with the benefits of a Kinetic model: recharging with the movement of your hand, the precision of a perpetual quartz oscillator, and up to 4 years of battery life when not in use. This model embodies the triumph of the classical tradition of watchmaking and modern microelectronics. The model includes 232 parts, almost the same number found in various high-end mechanical watches, as well as the world's smallest ultrasonic motor, just 0.4 mm wide. With this, the Kinetic Perpetual set a new standard in the world of perpetual calendar watch manufacturers. This 0.4mm thick ultrasonic motor is the sole power source for the 101 mechanical gear train parts of the perpetual calendar, which correctly displays not only the date and day of the week, but also the months, including leap years. This unique calendar is also equipped with a photo sensor that recognizes the marks on the transmission mechanism and corrects the date, day, month and year, including for leap years. In addition, this model is based on SEIKO's unique Kinetic Auto-Relay technology. Thanks to it, the watch receives energy for winding from the movements of the hand with the precision and reliability characteristic of the Kinetic Perpetual quartz watch model. Even if you don't wear the watch, this technology will allow it to work normally for 6 months on a full charge, after which the watch mechanism will go into sleep mode for up to four years. However, the watch remains accurate and the calendar continues to show the correct date, month and year, but the hands stop, conserving energy, until the watch is put on again - then the hand automatically snaps into place and shows the correct time.

Movement Specifications (Caliber 7D48)

Powered by hand movements

Perpetual calendar until 2100

Hour hand (24 hours)

Arrow that shows months

Leap year arrow (7D46 / 7D56)

Dial for leap year (7D48)

Energy saving function

Time delay relay system keeps accurate time for up to 4 years

4.Kinetic Auto Relay Equipped with sleep and wake function. Was created based on the "Kinetic" model; a quartz oscillator that supports the Automatic Generation System, which converts the kinetic energy of hand movement into charge to operate the watch. The Kinetic model has an energy-saving mode that is activated when the wearer is not wearing the watch, and the watch is recharged for further continuous operation over a long period of time. Energy saving function (sleep mode) that automatically stops the movement of the hands 72 hours after the watch has been taken off to save energy. Automatic time switching function (wake-up mode), which resumes power generation through the movement of the watch (by moving the wearer's hand) and automatically returns to normal mode to show the current time. This is provided that the watch is used continuously for 4 years (on a full charge) after it is stopped. Kinetic auto relay comes with these two features. Our latest model takes the Kinetic technology further with the development of the Kinetic perpetual, which includes a perpetual calendar in addition to the Kinetic auto relay function. Movement Specifications (Caliber 5J32) Powered by the movement of your hand. The time switching system allows the watch to work continuously for up to 4 years, showing accurate time.

5.Kinetic GMT Now that the Kinetic model is equipped with GMT function, it has become even more convenient for travelers. From now on, adjustment of the hour hand is possible without compromising the precision of the unique SEIKO Kinetic movement. Because the Kinetic model is powered by the movement of your hand, this practical and sophisticated new watch allows the traveler to experience a unique combination of elegance, functional design and set-it-and-forget-it settings.

Movement Specifications (Caliber 5M65)

Powered by the movement of your hand

Operating time when fully charged: about 6 months

Charging reserve indicator – viewable by pressing a button

GMT hand with hour hand adjustment function

Mechanical

Automatic movement SEIKO 6R20. This high-level caliber will allow SEIKO to take a strong position in the premium watch market. The 6R20 movement is assembled from parts, all of which, except the rubies, were manufactured by SEIKO Instruments Inc. The movement is gracefully complemented by an engraved rotor, polished bridge details and cross-hatching on the dial. The rapid movement rhythm (28,800 beats) ensures an accuracy of -15 ~ +25 seconds per day, and the Spron 510* spring (a highly elastic material developed by Seiko Instruments Inc.) provides a power reserve of more than 45 hours.

Description of the mechanism (Caliber 6R20)

Hour, minute and second hands

Day and date indicators

Power reserve indicator 28,800 beats/hour

208 parts

Possibility of drawing arrows

Engraved rotor

Description of the mechanism (Caliber 6R15)

Hour, minute and second hands with calendar

168 parts

Possibility of manual winding

Engraved rotor

Quartz

With its commitment to excellence, SEIKO Quartz's latest innovation marks a new milestone in the history of watchmaking.

Developed in 1969, quartz watches revolutionized the way watches were viewed. This watch is equipped with a quartz oscillator for accuracy. Crystals cut into specific shapes can vibrate when voltage is passed through them. Over the years, the idea has emerged that crystal is a special conductor of electricity, and it can be used to create a quartz oscillator to improve the accuracy of watch movements. However, in order to take advantage of the valuable properties of quartz crystals, the advantages and precision of which have already been described, numerous obstacles had to be overcome.

In 1969, SEIKO was able to solve all these issues and introduced the world's first quartz watch for sale. It has been ten years since Suwa Seikosha created a technology development plan to create watches based on crystal vibrations. Unique SEIKO technologies were developed to create quartz watches. These include a crystal oscillator in the form of a tuning fork, integrated circuits and a stepper motor to properly control the signals from the crystal oscillator. In addition, SEIKO, with its desire to change the future of the watch industry, did not seek to monopolize the patent rights to these unique technologies and made them open to the whole world. Later, many of the technologies proposed by SEIKO became world standards and contributed to the development of quartz watch manufacturing technology.

Creation of artificial crystals for the development of a quartz oscillator The first quartz watch on the world market Released on December 25, 1969, this watch revolutionized watchmaking. It was "SEIKO Quartz ASTRON". At that time, the oscillation frequency of a quartz oscillator was 8192 Hz, four times less than now. One of the main distinguishing features of this model was the stepper second hand, based on the action of a stepper motor, which later became a characteristic feature of quartz watches.

Left admin Fri, 2009-12-11 13:09

History of the founding of Seiko

Seiko is a brand that originated in Japan back in 1881, it was in this year that the young Kintaro Hattori, the founder of the brand, opened a watch store in one of the working-class districts of Tokyo, namely Ginza. The store was called K. Hattori & Co and carried out not only the sale but also the repair of watch movements. Hattori liked to engage in watchmaking and he saw the potential profit, since at that time no one was producing watches in Japan, so already in May 1892, he opened his own watch factory, convinced that Japanese watches could be cheaper and more popular than foreign ones . The plant was named Seikosha, from the word Seiko, which means “precise” in Japanese.

The first wristwatch and the development of the company

In 1913, Seikosha produced the first wristwatch, called the Laurel. At that time, Seikosha produced mainly wall clocks, and the share of pocket and wristwatches was negligible - 12% of total production, but already in 1922 it rose to 60%. In 1928, the company's wristwatches received the name SEIKO (pocket watches were produced under the previous brand - SEIKOSHA). And in 1937, in order to increase the volume of watch production, the watch company Daini Seikosha (“Second Seikosha”) was created.

Rapid growth

Having received many orders, Seiko entered a stage of rapid growth - already during 1938, the factory produced more than a million watches, which were popular with consumers. From the very beginning, the company's management took as a basis the principle: “Seiko is a company that must surprise.”

In 1955, Seiko produced self-winding mechanical watches for the first time in Japan. In 1964, the world's first quartz pointer chronograph was released, and in 1969 the world started talking about a revolution in watchmaking - the first electronic quartz watches appeared, the mechanism of which was based on the piezoelectric effect. It was a Seiko Astron 35 SQ.

From the mid-70s to the mid-80s, sales of quartz watches grew despite stiff competition. Having become the leader in the mass production of quartz watches by the mid-70s, SEIKO acquired the status of a global brand, surpassing many Swiss brands.

Our days

It's probably worth mentioning that Seiko is now part of the Seiko Epson Corporation, i.e. In addition to watches, it also produces printers, projectors, displays, etc. technique.

Where to buy Seiko watches in Ukraine

In Ukraine, many online stores sell Seiko watches. Therefore, there will be no problems with the purchase. The only thing is to make sure that the store is normal, otherwise you can buy a fake.

The official website of the company is http://www.epson.ru/, http://www.epson.co.jp/e/

We would be grateful if you share your assessment of the article (brand):

1881 - Kintaro Hattori opens a watch shop in the legendary Ginza district of Tokyo.

This warehouse is the direct ancestor of today's Seiko Corporation in Tokyo, the parent company of Seiko Corporation in America. The original name of Seiko Corporation was K. Hattori and Company Ltd..

The Seiko story begins.

1892 - With ten employees, Kintaro Hattori establishes a watch factory in Ishiwara-cho, Tokyo. The first dozen watches appear two months later.
1913 - After two decades of perfecting watchmaking technology, the company begins production of the first wristwatch made in Japan ("Laurel").

By the end of 1913, the company opens its first overseas office in Shanghai (China).
1924 - The Seiko brand is born. Forty-three years after the company was founded, the first wristwatches under the Seiko brand were made.
1937 - A new watch factory was put into operation. A year later in 1938, this factory produced 1,179,639 watches.
1955 - Seiko, already renowned for its watch precision and quality, produces the first self-winding wristwatch made in Japan.
1964 - Official Timer of the 18th Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo, Seiko supplies 1,278 stopwatches, as well as quartz chronometers, which were the predecessors of quartz watches.
1968 - Seiko introduces the first quartz wall clock.
1969 - Seiko introduces the first quartz wristwatch to the world market. The day will come when all watches will be produced using this technology.

The Seiko Astron 35SQ was housed in a gold case and only had an accuracy of plus or minus three seconds per month.
1970 - This date marks the establishment of Seiko Corporation of the United States (SCA).
1972 - Seiko becomes the Official Timer of the Winter Olympic Games in Sapporo (Japan).

Seiko presents its first ladies' quartz watch, the O3SQ.
1973 - Seiko introduces the first six-digit liquid crystal quartz watch. O6LC had a built-in backlight.
1978 - Seiko introduces the first ultra-precision quartz watch. The inaccuracy is less than five seconds per year.
1979 - Seiko Corporation of America acquires ownership of the Pulsar brand.
1981 - Seiko launches the Lassale brand.
1984 - Following the TV watch, Seiko introduces the first watch with recording capabilities (1983) and the first watch with computer functions (1984).
1990 - Within two years, Seiko introduces the first smart analog quartz watch with alarm and timer on a computer chip (1988).
1992 - Seiko introduces its revolutionary Kinetic Technology to the United States. This is a watch that does not require battery replacement. Recharging occurs solely due to the movement of the human body.

This is the first quartz watch of its kind.

Seiko is also the Official Timer of the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona
1994 - Seiko - Official Timer of the Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway.
1998 - Seiko - Official Timer of the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.
2002 - Seiko - Official Timer of the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The history of Seiko began in 1881, when the young Kintaro Hattori opened his watch shop “K. Hattori & Co" in one of the working districts of Tokyo. Kintaro was engaged not only in the sale, but also in the repair of wall, mantel, and pocket clocks. After very little time, Kintaro realized all the great prospects for watchmaking in Japan. Imported watches cost a lot of money, and the need for more affordable, but no less high-quality watches grew. After 11 years, Kintaro Hattori founded his watch manufactory and gave it the name “Seikosha”.

At first, the factory had the simplest manually operated machines, but this did not stop 15 workers from producing a dozen wall clocks in two months. Wall clocks were not chosen in vain, firstly, they were simpler and easier to manufacture than pocket clocks, and secondly, their low cost allowed them to be sold cheaper than imported ones. Things were going well and a year later the workers moved to a more spacious plant with more modern equipment.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Japanese economy was in decline. The demand for Japanese watches quickly increased after the end of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, but under the influence of the general financial crisis, the demand for watches remained at a low level for a long time. The situation began to change for the better after the outbreak of the First World War. Thanks to her, industry in Japan began to flourish again. The shortage of consumer goods in Western countries brought genuine prosperity to Japanese industry. In 1913, Seikosha introduced the first wristwatch, called the Laurel. The share of pocket and wrist watches in 1916 was. only 12% of Seikosha's total production, rising to 60% in 1922. In 1915, the company received orders to produce 600 thousand watches for Great Britain and 300 thousand for France.

Unfortunately, fate was not so favorable and in September 1923 the factories were destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake. In 1928, the construction of new factory premises equipped with the most modern equipment was completed. It was at this time that the company's wristwatches received the name SEIKO, and pocket watches were still produced under the same brand name - SEIKOSHA. In 1937, to increase the volume of watch production, the watch company Daini Seikosha ("Second Seikosha") was created. Due to the subsequent Sino-Japanese War and World War II, the Seikosha and Daini Seikosha companies were forced to completely switch to the production of military products. However, this did not stop the company from producing chronometers commissioned by the navy. Japanese consumer watch production was virtually zero by the end of the war.

In 1948, the Ministry of Foreign Trade announced a competition for the “best watch”, this opportunity became a significant impetus for the watch industry in terms of improving quality. In the mid-50s, the previous efforts began to bear fruit. For SEIKO, the main task was to develop watches with precision that meet international standards, while at the same time being able to compete in price with Swiss brands.

Thus, in 1956, a self-winding model was born - the 11 Line Seiko Automatic. But Seiko did not stop there and in 1963 released the waterproof Seiko Sportmatic 5 watch with automatic winding and a day-date calendar in one window. The watch not only became the prototype for Seiko 5, but actually became a global standard. The most powerful blow for European brands was the release in 1960 of ultra-precise Grand Seiko wristwatches, which were superior to Swiss chronometers in a number of characteristics.

In the mid-60s, Seiko watches (mechanical and quartz) repeatedly won prizes in competitions held by astronomical observatories in Switzerland. By the mid-70s, SEIKO had acquired the status of a global brand, surpassing many Swiss brands. After creating the world's first quartz watch, Seiko moved on to develop a system for automatically generating energy for the movement, which would eliminate the use of batteries. In 1988, the company released the world's first quartz movement with automatic energy generation - Kinetic. To market the new Kinetic technology, the company used the slogan: “Someday all watches will be like this.” After some time, the Swiss released a similar technology, calling it “autoquartz”. SEIKO has proven that it will not rest on its laurels, ensuring the accuracy of quartz watches within +5 seconds per year, releasing models with a perpetual calendar and offering Kinetik Auto Relay technology. Seiko always has new ideas for measuring time in stock, related to the development of high technology.