Seiko

Seiko is a Japanese watchmaker and timekeeping company known for its broad range of watches, clocks, and precision instruments. The company traces its origins to 1881, when Kintaro Hattori opened a clock shop in Tokyo. In 1892, Hattori established Seikosha, a factory that would become central to Seiko’s clock and watch production. The Seiko brand began appearing on wristwatches in 1924, marking the shift toward integrated watchmaking.

Seiko contributed several milestones to horology. It produced the first quartz wristwatch, the Astron, in 1969, a development that helped launch the global quartz revolution. The company has pursued a variety of innovations, including the Spring Drive, a 1999 hybrid movement that combines mechanical regulation with electronic control for high accuracy, and the popular Kinetic and other advanced technologies that fuse traditional craftsmanship with modern electronics.

Today Seiko operates as part of Seiko Holdings Corporation and oversees multiple brands and lines. The Seiko name covers its mainstream collections, while Grand Seiko represents its luxury line, and Credor denotes its high-end dress watches. The group maintains manufacturing and development facilities in Japan and abroad and distributes products worldwide. Seiko has also served as an official timekeeper for sporting events and has a broad presence in consumer, professional, and instrument watch markets.

Seiko’s history reflects a balance between traditional watchmaking and technological innovation, contributing significantly to the evolution of both mechanical and quartz timekeeping.