Seiko SUR311P1 Classic Mens Watch

Seiko, a name not often associated with mechanical watchmaking, has a long and impressive tradition of producing mechanical watches, both automatic and hand-wound models. The company's origins date back to the late 19th century, and today Seiko is one of the great protagonists of world watchmaking.

The beginnings

Admiral Perry's expedition in 1853 forced the opening of Tokyo Bay (then Edo) to foreign trade. This led to a cultural shock for feudal Japan, which was forced to modernise in order to avoid being subjugated by the colonial powers. Despite initial resistance, the emperor decided on radical industrialisation, which quickly transformed Japan from an agrarian state into an industrial power. An essential part of this transformation was the development of a clock industry. Timepieces were essential for an advanced industrialised society in order to measure production times and coordinate the rhythm of public life. Against this backdrop, entrepreneur Kintarō Hattori, born in 1881, opened a shop in Tokyo dedicated to the repair and sale of table and wall clocks. From these humble beginnings, a company developed that was to become a giant in the clock industry. In the following decade, Hattori acquired a factory to manufacture his own clocks and began using the Seiko name. In 1895, Seiko produced its first pocket watch and in 1913 its first wristwatch. Between the two world wars, Seiko experienced a great upswing, which was supported by government orders such as the official equipping of the Japanese state railway with Seiko pocket watches.

Great success in the post-war period

After the Second World War, the Japanese economy benefited from reconstruction and strategic support from the USA. Seiko used this period of growth to launch extremely successful models on the market. In 1959, Seiko introduced the Gyro Marvel, a mechanism that allowed the rotor to wind the spring in both directions. In 1960, Seiko launched the Grand Seiko line, a series of watches of the highest quality that are still appreciated today for their discreet sophistication. In 1969, Seiko achieved a milestone with the introduction of the first automatic chronograph. Despite the quartz crisis that shook the watch industry, Seiko was able to continue this success and achieve high production figures. At the same time, Seiko launched the Astron, the first successful quartz watch, which revolutionised the precision and autonomy of timekeeping and plunged the Swiss watch industry into a crisis.

Seiko today

Thirty years after the quartz revolution, Seiko presented another ground-breaking innovation: the "Spring Drive" technology introduced in 1999. These watches combine the traditional mechanical winding mechanism with an electronic rate regulator, which enables exceptional precision and smooth running of the second hand. Although not technically a purely mechanical watch, the Spring Drive is undoubtedly a unique movement that combines Seiko's expertise in mechanical and electronic watchmaking. Seiko is one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world today. The strategy is to cover different market segments with the Seiko and Orient brands, the middle segment with the Seiko brand and the upper segment with Grand Seiko. Although some blame Seiko for the quartz crisis that has decimated many Swiss watch manufacturers, this approach is unrealistic. Quartz technology would have been developed further in any case, and Swiss manufacturers have also successfully produced quartz movements. Seiko was able to maintain its production lines for mechanical watches, including the luxury Grand Seiko line, thanks to the income from quartz watches. An interesting anecdote: the name "Seiko" means "success" and was chosen by the founder because it was considered auspicious. Hattori's wishes have undoubtedly come true.