The Ethos of Seiko - Innovation and Refinement

The Ethos of Seiko - Innovation and Refinement
By John P Stevens

Watches are essentials for men and women, as they are necessary for every wardrobe. They represent the style statement, and their functions fulfil the requirements of the wearer. In 1881, for the very first time, Kintaro Hattori opened a clock shop in Tokyo, which was the foundation of SEIKO. A brand was launched by the name of Seikosha, which became the parent company of SEIKO.

After a decade, Hattori launched a factory with 10 employees, and their efforts pocket introduced watches in 1985. In 1899, the company produced alarm clocks, followed by table, and musical clocks in 1902. The next year the company of Hattori designed first Japanese made Seikosha wristwatch. In 1924, SEIKO was officially created. After 43 years, the company made the first SEIKO wristwatch.

Since that time, there has been much modern advancement to the world of watches. Throughout the times, Seiko has maintained its performance in the timepiece industry. In 1956, SEIKO produced the first self-winding wristwatch made in Japan. In 1964, SEIKO released the quartz chronometers for the very first time, and became the official timer of the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo.

In 1968, they launched the first quartz wall clock of the world. The following year, Seiko released the first quartz watch in 1969. In the same year, Tiffany & Co. began to sell the Seiko Astron 35SQ, which was covered in solid 18kt yellow gold. During the next years, SEIKO introduced many watches by which, entire world was unfamiliar. First multi-function digital watch, and the first LCD quartz watch with six-digit digital display were introduced then. Seiko has made four types of major innovations, and refinements

Spring Drive is the created by SEIKO since the quartz Astron in 1969. It is based on the principles of all mechanical watch technology. It contains a mainspring, but uses an entirely new system for time regulation. It delivers the equivalent of 1 second per day accuracy, and comes with unique features.

SEIKO Quartz ASTRON has brought innovation to the history of watches developed in 1969. It featured crystal oscillator cut in the shape of a tuning fork, and an IC, and step motor were developed to operate signals from a crystal oscillator. One of the major characteristic of quartz is Step motion second by mounting and an open step motor.

SEIKO automatic movement 6R20 is designed to place the SEIKO firmly in the high quality mechanical market. The 6R20 movement is made of parts, which are produced, and are assembled by SEIKO Instruments Inc. The movement is featured by engraved rotor, hairline shading on the main surfaces, and polished edges to the bridges. This movement delivers accuracy of -15~+25 seconds a day. The Spron 510* mainspring generates a reserve of more than 45 hours.

On the platforms of mechanical and quartz, seiko created Kinetic prototype, which was introduced by the name Og AGM. It was the first watch of the world to convert the kinetic movement into electrical energy. It was the first step to the development of Kinetic watches. After 20 years, many Kinetic Identicals were introduced featuring high performances, and long-lasting convenience to the users.