1881 – Thirties
The historical past of Seiko started in 1881 when Kintarō Hattori, a 21-year-old entrepreneur, opened a small store referred to as “Ok. Hattori” in Tokyo’s Ginza district. His enterprise specialised in promoting and repairing watches and clocks. Over time, Kintarō envisioned producing his timepieces, main him to ascertain the Seikosha manufacturing facility in 1892, the place he began manufacturing wall clocks.
The identify “Seikosha” means “Home of Precision,” which mirrored Kintarō’s purpose of manufacturing high-quality timepieces. In 1913, Seikosha produced Japan’s first wristwatch, generally known as the Laurel.
1924 – Sixties
The Seiko model was formally launched in 1924. It was the second when Seikosha shifted from clock-making to wristwatches, and the “Seiko” identify, which means “beautiful” or “success” in Japanese, was chosen for this new line.
A major innovation got here in 1956 when Seiko launched the Diashock, a shock-resistant mechanism designed to guard watches from injury. This innovation made Seiko watches extra sturdy and additional solidified the model’s fame for precision.
1969 – The Quartz Revolution
The 12 months 1969 Seiko launched the world’s first quartz wristwatch, the Seiko Quartz Astron. This floor breaking growth modified the panorama of watchmaking. The Astron was 100 occasions extra correct than any mechanical watch on the time and laid the inspiration for quartz know-how to dominate the watch business within the coming a long time.
Lot 223
A chronograph watch, 37mm – Signed quartz calibre 7T32B
Worth Realised: £123.50
Seiko’s quartz motion was so revolutionary that it disrupted the Swiss watch business, which had been the chief in luxurious mechanical watches. This period turned generally known as the Quartz Disaster, as many conventional watchmakers struggled to compete with Seiko’s inexpensive and extremely correct quartz timepieces.
Sixties – Seventies
Lot 180
A stainless-steel 62MAS Diver’s wrist watch, 38mm
Worth Realised: £2,807.20
Within the Sixties, Seiko entered the world of sports activities and dive watches. In 1965, Seiko launched Japan’s first-ever diver’s watch, the Seiko 6217 (62MAS), able to withstanding depths of as much as 150 meters. This mannequin gained recognition for its sturdiness and performance, turning into the blueprint for the model’s future dive watches.
Lot 275
Seiko – chronograph
Estimate: £100 – £150
Lot 237
6139 – a chronograph watch, 39mm
Worth Realised: £260.00
In 1969, Seiko additional solidified its place in horological historical past by introducing one of many world’s first computerized chronographs, the Seiko 6139. It featured the “magic lever” winding system and a vertical clutch, making it a favorite amongst collectors.
1960 – The Rise of Grand Seiko
Lot 187
GRAND SEIKO – a chrome steel bracelet watch, 37mm
Worth Realised: £1,274.00
Seiko has at all times been about precision, however in 1960, the model determined to problem Swiss luxurious watches with the introduction of the Grand Seiko line. The purpose was to create the “superb” watch with flawless accuracy, sturdiness, and aesthetic design.
Nineteen Eighties – 2000s
Lot 232
Kinetic Sports activities 200 watch, 41mm
Worth Realised: £182.00
In 1986, the model developed the Kinetic know-how, which makes use of the motion of the wearer’s wrist to generate electrical energy, powering a quartz motion with out the necessity for a battery.
In 1999, Seiko launched one other revolutionary innovation, the Spring Drive. The Spring Drive motion mixed mechanical watchmaking with the accuracy of quartz, making a motion with a steady, completely clean second-hand movement.
Seiko Immediately
Lot 278
Photo voltaic Chronograph
Estimate: £80 – £120
Lot 230
GPS Photo voltaic Astron watch, 47mm
Worth Realised: £416.00
In 2010, Seiko launched the Astron GPS Photo voltaic, the world’s first solar-powered GPS watch, which adjusts to any time zone on Earth with precision. The corporate has additionally embraced eco-friendly initiatives, guaranteeing that a lot of its watches are powered by photo voltaic or kinetic power, lowering the necessity for batteries.
The model additionally has a deep reference to numerous world sporting occasions. It has been the official timekeeper for main occasions just like the Olympic Video games (1964 Tokyo Olympics) and FIFA World Cups. Seiko watches have additionally been prominently featured in popular culture, from James Bond films to house missions.
Seiko in Public sale
Lot 282
Seiko – ‘Pogue’
Estimate: £250 – £350
Lot 279
Seiko – ‘UFO’
Estimate: £100 – £150
Lot 336
Seiko – ‘John Participant’ chronograph
Estimate: £150 – £250
Viewing occasions (ID required):
Birmingham
Friday twenty seventh September 10:00-16:00
Digital viewings can be found by request. Digital viewings are the last word private procuring expertise. Utilizing Zoom, you may ask us no matter you must know to purchase with confidence. Discover out extra right here.
Valuations
Our valuations are free, with no obligation to promote with us. Our specialists will worth your merchandise with an estimate, so you could find out what it might obtain at public sale.
The method is easy. You possibly can fill in a type on-line or e-book an appointment to go to both of our places of work in Birmingham or London. Alternatively, in case you can’t attend digital valuation appointments are additionally out there.
Discover what you’re searching for
Be sure you don’t miss discovering that particular one thing by signing as much as our electronic mail alerts. You’ll be the primary to know when catalogues turn out to be out there, obtain invites to particular occasions and preview the most popular tons from our auctions, plus rather more.
Why not use our free private procuring service? Join lot alerts and inform us precisely what you might be searching for. Every time we add a listing, we seek for your key phrases and electronic mail you tons matching your pursuits. Your personalised electronic mail will embrace photos, lot descriptions and public sale particulars.
Sophie Baldwin | Advertising and marketing Assistant
