Seiko is a Japanese watch brand that was founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori. Hattori started out as a clock repairman in Tokyo, and eventually opened a small shop called K. Hattori, which would later become Seiko.
In 1892, Hattori created his first timepiece, which was a pocket watch called the Seikosha. The watch was an immediate success, and Hattori soon began producing more watches under the Seikosha brand. In 1924, Seikosha was renamed to Seiko, which means “exquisite” or “success” in Japanese.
Seiko continued to innovate over the years, producing a number of important watch technologies. In 1956, Seiko released its first automatic movement, which is a type of mechanical movement that winds itself as the wearer moves. Seiko also developed the world’s first quartz watch in 1969, which was a game-changer in the industry. Quartz watches are more accurate than mechanical watches, and Seiko’s innovation quickly made them popular.
Seiko also played a key role in the development of the modern dive watch. In 1965, Seiko introduced its first dive watch, the 6217-8000, which featured a unidirectional bezel and was water-resistant to 150 meters. Seiko’s dive watches continued to evolve over the years, and in 1975, the company released the first dive watch with a titanium case, which made the watch more lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
Seiko has also been a pioneer in the world of sports watches. In 1983, Seiko introduced the first-ever analog quartz chronograph, the Seiko Sports 100. The watch was water-resistant to 100 meters and featured a stopwatch function, making it a popular choice for athletes.
Today, Seiko is known for producing a wide range of high-quality watches, from classic dress watches to modern sports watches. The company continues to innovate, and its watches are highly regarded by collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
