1881
![Kintaro Hattori](/group/history/images/group_img_34.jpg)
Kintaro Hattori establishes the K. Hattori (watch and clock retail and repair store).
Earning the trust of foreign trading companies, the business expands greatly
1892
![wall clocks](/group/history/images/group_img_35.jpg)
Building on the success of the retail business, Seikosha is established and commences manufacturing of wall clocks.
1894
![clock tower](/group/history/images/group_img_36.jpg)
The company moves to the corner of Ginza 4-chome and builds a store with a clock tower
1895
![Timekeeper](/group/history/images/group_img_37.jpg)
Manufacturing of the company's first pocket watch, the Timekeeper, commences.
By persisting in the pocket watch business, despite continuing losses, the company eventually corners the market.
1900s—
1905
Distributors established in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
1913
![Laurel](/group/history/images/group_img_38.jpg)
Anticipating a shift away from pocket watches, the company launches Japan's first wristwatch, the Laurel.
1923
![the company launches Japan's first watch](/group/history/images/group_img_39.jpg)
Despite losing all its factories and stores to the Great Kanto Earthquake in September, the company recommences operations in November. The company replaces all watches that were held for repair and destroyed in the disaster with brand new watches free of charge, thereby gaining the firm trust of the public.
1924
![Launch of the first Seiko brand watch.](/group/history/images/group_img_40.jpg)
Launch of the first Seiko brand watch.
1932
![clock tower](/group/history/images/group_img_41.jpg)
Completion of the current clock tower on Ginza 4-chome (SEIKO HOUSE).
1937
![Daini Seikosha](/group/history/images/group_img_42.jpg)
Daini Seikosha (now Seiko Instruments Inc.) established.
1940s—
1947
Retail division separates to become Wako Co., Ltd.
1949
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1950s—
1959
The Suwa factory becomes independent and forms Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corporation).
1960
![Launching of the Grand Seiko](/group/history/images/group_img_44.jpg)
Launching of the Grand Seiko, achieving the world's highest standard in accuracy.
1964
![official timer](/group/history/images/group_img_45.jpg)
Official timer of the Tokyo Olympics.
Seiko later serves as official timer of 5 other Olympic Games (Sapporo, Barcelona, Lillehammer, Nagano, Salt Lake City).
1968
![Geneva Observatory Competition](/group/history/images/group_img_47.jpg)
Seiko takes the top ranking for mechanical watches at the Geneva Observatory Competition.
1968
![Launching of the world's first quartz wall clock](/group/history/images/group_img_46.jpg)
Launching of the world's first quartz wall clock for home use.
1968
Hattori (H.K.) Ltd. (currently Seiko Hong Kong Ltd) is established in Hong Kong, after which local corporations are established in succession around the world.
1969
![Quartz Astron](/group/history/images/group_img_48.jpg)
Launching of the Quartz Astron, the world's first quartz watch.
1970
![Quartz watch 36SQC](/group/history/images/group_img_65.jpg)
Developed a quartz watch equipped with the world’s first CMOS IC
1971
![Kiyoko Nakayama](/group/history/images/group_img_49.jpg)
Kiyoko Nakayama* becomes the first female Contemporary Master Craftsman.
Since then, there have been 26 employees designated as Contemporary Master Craftsmen.
*Of Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corp.)
1973
![6-digit LCD watch.](/group/history/images/group_img_50.jpg)
Launching of the world's first 6-digit LCD watch.
1975
![Quartz crystal, silver oxide batteries](/group/history/images/group_img_66.jpg)
Quartz crystal, silver oxide batteries
1977
Kazuo Takeoka wins the WorldSkills Competition.
Since then, there have been 7 employees winning this competition.
*Of Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corp.)
1978
Masahide Nakazawa wins the national watch repairing contest.
Since then, there have been 8 employees winning this competition.
*Of Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corp.)
1982
![Thermal printer mechanisms](/group/history/images/group_img_67.jpg)
Thermal printer mechanisms
1984
![Mullion Clock](/group/history/images/group_img_52.jpg)
Installation of the Mullion Clock, Japan's first large-scale marionette clock, sparking a national boom in marionette clocks.
1985
![automated ordering system](/group/history/images/group_img_53.jpg)
Launching of the automated ordering system for the restaurant industry.
1987
![IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Rome](/group/history/images/group_img_54.jpg)
Seiko serves as official timer of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Rome.
Thereafter, Seiko continues to serve as official timer of the World Athletics Championships.
1989
![Ultra-thin, ultra-precise wall clocks](/group/history/images/group_img_68.jpg)
Ultra-thin, ultra-precise wall clocks
1990s—
1993
Seiko Time Systems Inc.
(now Seiko Time Creation Inc.)established.
1999
![Spring Drive watch](/group/history/images/group_img_55.jpg)
Launching of the world's first Spring Drive watch.
2002
![Commencement of time stamp service](/group/history/images/group_img_69.jpg)
Commencement of time stamp service
2004
![Shizukuishi Watch Studio](/group/history/images/group_img_56.jpg)
Opening of the Shizukuishi Watch Studio, a fully-integrated manufacturing facility for mechanical watches.
2005
Development of mercury-free silver oxide batteries.
2005
![Medal with Yellow Ribbon](/group/history/images/group_img_57.jpg)
Mamoru Sakurada is awarded the Medal with Yellow Ribbon for watch assembly.
Since then, there have been 9 employees awarded the Medal with Yellow Ribbon.
2005
Seiko NPC Corporation established.
2005
![Clock Yukyu](/group/history/images/group_img_70.jpg)
Clock recreating the world’s oldest escapement mechanism
2007
Seiko serves as official timer of the 1st Tokyo Marathon, and continues to serve as official timer thereafter.
2009
![Seiko Instruments Inc](/group/history/images/group_img_59.jpg)
Business merger with Seiko Instruments Inc.
2012
![Seiko Astron](/group/history/images/group_img_60.jpg)
Launching of the Seiko Astron, the world's first GPS solar watch.
2013
Seiko Solutions Inc. established.
2014
![The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT](/group/history/images/group_img_61.jpg)
The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT wins the Petite Aiguille prize at the Grand Prixd'Horlogerie de Genève.
2017
![Grand Seiko](/group/history/images/group_img_71.jpg)
Made Grand Seiko an independent brand
2017
![Mobile Printer MP-B20](/group/history/images/group_img_72.jpg)
Ultra compact, ultra lightweight mobile printer
for business use, MP-B20
2019
IAAF World Championships in Doha
Contributing to the success of the first World Championships held in the Middle East with the latest timing systems
2019
![MS Lithium Rechargeable Battery MS621R](/group/history/images/group_img_73.jpg)
World’s first reflowable
MS Lithium Rechargeable Battery
2019
![LUiNa](/group/history/images/group_img_74.jpg)
AI learning for sign prediction services, LUiNa
2020
Relocated the Seiko Museum to Ginza and opened as the
"Seiko Museum Ginza"
2022
![Grand Seiko Kodo](/group/history/images/group_img_75.jpg)
Watch incorporating the world’s first new mechanism, Grand Seiko Kodo
2022
Changed the name to SEIKO GROUP CORPORATION.