The production dynamics in watchmaking, both in Japan and elsewhere, are highly complex and have been a topic of considerable debate, particularly since it became common practice for companies to shift part of their manufacturing to countries with lower costs.In this article, I’ll delve into where and how Seiko Group watches are produced, and I’ll explain the differences between “Made in Japan” models and those that aren’t. Index What does …
King Seiko VANAC is a line of automatic watches produced in the early 1970s, notable for its distinctive and unconventional designs.All models were paired with metal bracelets and featured faceted crystals that created intriguing plays of light on dials available in various colors. The cases, in all kinds of shapes, were carefully finished, and the movements were also of high quality, as these watches were positioned at the top of …
Introduced in 1958, the Lord Marvel is widely regarded as the first true luxury Japanese wristwatch and represents a fundamental chapter in Seiko’s history. As its name suggests, the origins of this model trace back to the Seiko Marvel, the first wristwatch entirely developed in-house by the Japanese manufacturer. Introduced in 1956, the Marvel’s movement proved to be highly reliable, robust, and accurate, becoming the foundation for numerous subsequent models. …
The history of Japanese wristwatches begins around 1913. The Hattori (Seiko) group had established itself as one of the most important dealers and manufacturers of timepieces in Japan, and at the Seikosha factory, founded in 1892, various pocket watch models were already in production. With the arrival of wristwatches from Europe and America on the market, and the gradual rise in popularity of these products, which were a novelty compared …
The renowned and enduring Seiko 5 Sports series was launched in 1968, with the goal of crafting sports watches tailored for a younger and more dynamic audience compared to the classic Seiko 5. From the outset, the 5 Sports models have been distinguished by their robust construction and the reliability of their automatic movements. They also offer good water resistance, making them suitable for water activities, and boast a wide …
Seiko has introduced two new models that promise to catch the attention of enthusiasts: the Seiko 5 Sports Heritage Design Re-creation SRPL03 and SRPL05 (SBSA269 and SBSA271 for the Japanese market). The two models, which will be available from July 6 2024, are limited to 9,999 pieces each worldwide and are inspired by the legendary Seiko 5126-8090, known as “Kamen Rider” for its appearance in the famous Japanese TV series. …
The following is a list of watch movements produced by Seiko since the introduction of the modern coding system in the 1960s. The movements are organized into groups and listed alphabetically. By clicking on the name of the movement, you can view its technical information and manuals, when available, along with the watch models and their respective parts lists.
The Laurel is one of the most significant and emblematic timepieces in the history of Seiko and Japanese watchmaking, to the extent that it has been awarded the certification of “Heritage of Mechanical Engineering” from the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. Was the Laurel truly the first wristwatch produced by Seiko?In this article, I will try to clarify the history of the Laurel, its introduction dates, and what actually was …
In 1959, Seiko introduced its first “WaterProof” wristwatch to the Japanese market, featuring a water resistance of 50 meters. The Cronos WaterProof, with case code J13028, is featured alongside the Laurel Alpinist in the December 1959 issue of Seiko News. The Cronos WaterProof represents Seiko’s response to a growing market demand for water-resistant watches suitable for sports and outdoor activities. It was presented as a luxury waterproof watch, safe for …
In 1982, Seiko introduced the 150m Slim Turtle divers with the automatic caliber 6309 to the export market, the same movement used for the export versions of the Seiko Turtle. In this guide, we will explore the history and features of all the known models in this series. Index Introduction to the 6309 divers The series of automatic 6309 divers started with the Seiko Turtle in 1976.While the Turtle version …