Seikos

Seikos refers informally to wristwatches produced by the Japanese company Seiko Holdings Corporation. The term is not an official product line; Seiko markets watches under several families, including Grand Seiko, Seiko 5, Prospex, Presage, and Astron, among others.

Seiko's origins trace to 1881, when Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Tokyo selling and repairing watches. The company adopted the Seiko brand in the early 20th century, with “Seiko” meaning precision or exquisite in Japanese. Seiko was a pioneer in quartz technology, launching the Astron, the first quartz wristwatch, in 1969. Over the following decades, the firm expanded into various movement types, including mechanical, quartz, kinetic, and hybrid mechanisms. The Grand Seiko line originated as a high-precision, high-finish division in the 1960s and has operated as a distinct premium brand since the late 2010s.

Technology and models within the Seiko ecosystem cover a broad range. Grand Seiko emphasizes high-end mechanical movements and refined finishing. The Seiko 5 line targets affordability and reliability, with the five features traditionally cited as automatic movement, day/date, water resistance, recessed crown, and a durable case. The Prospex family focuses on professional-grade sport and diving watches. Presage concentrates on classic dial aesthetics and mechanical craftsmanship. Astron represents Seiko’s quartz heritage, including GPS-satellite-synchronised timekeeping in modern models. Seiko also developed Spring Drive, a movement that blends mechanical gearing with a quartz regulator, and Kinetic technology, which uses wearer motion to charge a stored energy source.

Production and market reach widely distribute Seiko watches in Japan and internationally, making Seiko one of the most durable and recognizable names in the global watch industry.