Since its establishment in 1881, Seiko has adhered to the spirit of “Always one step ahead of the rest”and has continually provided innovative products and moved ahead to touch the times and people’s hearts.
- ALL
- Watches
- Electronic Devices
- Systems
Solutions - Other
1910~
1960~
Watches
1960
Launching of the Grand Seiko
Sports Timing
1964
Official timer of the Tokyo Olympics (Seiko later serves as official timer of 5 other Olympic Games.)
Electronic Devices
1965
General-purpose cylindrical grinder
Clocks
1968
World’s first quartz wall clock for home use
Watches
1968
The Geneva Observatory Competition
Watches
1969
World’s first quartz watch
1970~
Electronic Devices
1970
Development of C-MOS ICs
Systems Solutions
1970
Launching of real-time online system
1980~
Systems Solutions
1980
Launching of comprehensive building management system
Electronic Devices
1982
Thermal printer mechanisms
Systems Solutions
1983
Launching of multi-protocol converter
Clocks
1983
Launching of Pyramid Talk, the talking clock
System Clocks
1984
Installation of large-scale marionette clock, the Mullion Clock
Systems Solutions
1985
Launching of the world’s first automated ordering system for the restaurant industry
1990~
Watches
1999
Launching of the world’s first Spring Drive watch
Systems Solutions
1999
Launching of Time Server (high-precision standard time server)
Systems Solutions
1999
Commencement of CREPiCO, Japan’s first wireless credit card payment service
Clocks
1999
Launching of radio-controlled clock
2000~
Watches
2004
Opening of Shizukuishi Watch Studio
Electronic Devices
2005
Mercury-free silver oxide batteries
2010~
Retail
2011
Wako becomes the Group’s flagship store
Watches
2012
Launching of the Astron, the world’s first GPS solar watch
Clocks
2014
Launching of the world’s first satellite radio wave clock
Systems Solutions
2016
Commencement of services connected with automated ordering systems for the restaurant industry
Watches
2017
Grand Seiko becomes an independent brand
Electronic Devices
2017
Development of infrared sensors
1881
Founding
Kintaro Hattori establishes the K. Hattori (watch and clock retail and repair store). Earning the trust of foreign trading companies, the business expands greatly.
Retail
1894
Original clock tower
The company builds a store with a clock tower on the corner of Ginza 4-chome block. It immediately becomes a landmark of Ginza.
Retail
1932
Completion of current clock tower
As the new symbol of Ginza, it remains a familiar and popular landmark to this day.
Sports Timing
1964
Official timer of the Tokyo Olympics (Seiko later serves as official timer of 5 other Olympic Games.)
This is the first time electronic timepieces are fully implemented in the Olympic Games. It is said to be the first Games without timing errors.
Electronic Devices
1965
General-purpose cylindrical grinder
Development of precision machine tools based on watchmaking technology.
Clocks
1968
World’s first quartz wall clock for home use
In the battle to develop quartz timepieces, this is the world’s first quartz wall clock.
Watches
1968
The Geneva Observatory Competition
Seiko takes the top ranking for mechanical watch precision at the Geneva Observatory Competition.
Electronic Devices
1970
Development of C-MOS ICs
The first C-MOS ICs for a quartz watch is developed in collaboration with a US venture company.
Systems Solutions
1970
Launching of real-time online system
Launching of real-time online system applying watch manufacturing management technology.
System Clocks
1970
The world’s first radio wave clock
Installation of the world’s first radio wave clock at the Osaka Expo.
Electronic Devices
1975~76
Quartz crystal, silver oxide batteries
Developed for use in quartz watches, they have since been used in a wide range of fields.
Electronic Devices
1976
Development of ICs for quartz crystal oscillators
Seiko develops ICs that can accurately relay vibrations of a quartz crystal to the circuit.
Systems Solutions
1980
Launching of comprehensive building management system
Launching of a comprehensive building management system BUILTALK that provides safety and security through centralized management and optimal control of a building.
Electronic Devices
1982
Thermal printer mechanisms
Compact, light-weight, quiet thermal printers are seeing great use in a wide range of applications such as POS registers, payment terminals, medical equipment, and measurement equipment.
Systems Solutions
1983
Launching of multi-protocol converter
This converter enables smooth connections in IP/legacy network mixed environments.
Clocks
1983
Launching of Pyramid Talk, the talking clock
This talking clock, which gives an audio announcement of the time, becomes hugely popular around the world.
System Clocks
1984
Installation of large-scale marionette clock, the Mullion Clock
Seiko installs the Mullion Clock, a large-scale marionette clock, in Tokyo Yurakucho district. This sparks a national boom in marionette clocks.
Systems Solutions
1985
Launching of the world’s first automated ordering system for the restaurant industry
Restaurant ordering systems, although taken for granted today, have contributed greatly to streamlining operations by reducing mistakes and man-hours.
Sports Timing
1987
Official timer of World Athletics Championships
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.)
Electronic Devices
1989
Precision parts for automobiles
Seiko precision parts manufactured using our watchmaking technology are also use in automobiles.
Systems Solutions
1989
Launching of a performance management software
IIM Corp., a pioneer in system performance management, has launched a performance management tool for mainframes.
Watches
1999
Launching of the world’s first Spring Drive watch
Seiko launches the Spring Drive, the world’s first spring-driven watch to boast the same accuracy as a quartz watch.
Systems Solutions
1999
Launching of Time Server (high-precision standard time server)
The server accurately transmits standard time to the various devices connected to a network for secure synchronization.
Systems Solutions
1999
Commencement of CREPiCO, Japan’s first wireless credit card payment service
This is the first system in Japan to allow wireless credit card payments.
Clocks
1999
Launching of radio-controlled clock
The clock picks up standard time radio waves to always display the correct time.
Electronic Devices
2000
Inkjet printheads
Our inkjet printheads for printing onto building materials and outdoor signboards are seeing great use as key components of inkjet printers in a wide range of fields.
Systems Solutions
2002
Commencement of time stamp service
Seiko commences a time stamp service for ensuring reliability and safety of electronic documents and e-commerce, contributing to digitization of business.
Watches
2004
Opening of Shizukuishi Watch Studio
Seiko opens the Shizukuishi Watch Studio, a fully-integrated manufacturing facility for luxury mechanical watches.
Electronic Devices
2005
Mercury-free silver oxide batteries
Seiko develops mercury-free, lead-free silver oxide batteries.
Systems Solutions
2007
Commencement of multi-electronic payment service for taxis
This service enables wireless credit card payment of taxi fares, which had largely been cash-based even for high fares for long distance rides.
Retail
2007
Opening of Seiko Boutique in Paris
Boutiques are later opened in Amsterdam, New York, London, and other cities around the world.
Sports Timing
2007
Official timer of the Tokyo Marathon (Seiko continues to serve as official timer thereafter.)
Commencing in 2007, the Tokyo Marathon is a major sporting event that represents Tokyo. Since the 1st Tokyo Marathon, Seiko has continued to serve as official timer.
Electronic Devices
2009
Development of movement measurement devices
Using reflected light from LEDs, these devices accurately measure distance and angle of movement.
Retail
2011
Wako becomes the Group’s flagship store
With Seiko’s logo emblazoned on the clock tower, the Wako store becomes the Group’s flagship store. Expanding and enhancing of Seiko’s spaces at watch stores and counters.
Watches
2012
Launching of the Astron, the world’s first GPS solar watch
Seiko launches the Astron, the world’s first GPS solar watch, able to display the correct time anywhere in the world through location and time information from a GPS satellite network.
Clocks
2014
Launching of the world’s first satellite radio wave clock
The clock displays the exact time by receiving signals from a GPS satellite network. Its strong points are that it can easily pick up signals even inside buildings and can be used around the world.
Systems Solutions
2016
Commencement of services connected with automated ordering systems for the restaurant industry
This is an app service for the restaurant industry that links with ordering systems to enable self-ordering and mobile ordering, etc. from smart devices.
Watches
2017
Grand Seiko becomes an independent brand
Having continued to evolve since its creation in 1960, and aiming for even greater heights, Grand Seiko becomes an independent brand.
Electronic Devices
2017
Development of infrared sensors
These sensors detect the temperature of objects from their infrared radiation. They are seeing great use in a wide range of fields, such as temperature control in microwave ovens and air conditioners and detection of human presence in security systems.
Systems Solutions
2017
IIM is welcomed to the Seiko Group
Adding IIM, a leading company in the field of system performance management, to the Seiko Group, Seiko expands the scope of its solutions business.
Retail
2018
Opening of Seiko Dream Square in Ginza, Tokyo
Seiko opens the Seiko Dream Square in the Ginza district, the place of the company’s founding, to present a collection of its core products and spread the company’s world view.
Clocks
2019
Launching of the hybrid radio wave clock
Launching of the world’s first hybrid radio wave clock, combining a radio wave clock and smartphone inter-connective functions.
Watches
In keeping with Seiko's founder's credo to be "Always one step ahead of the rest," we have expanded our watch business using advanced technology and craftsmanship and we are currently one of the few watch manufacturers in the world to carry out fully-integrated in-house manufacturing.
Electronic Devices
Using the precise and reliable technology that has emerged from our manufacturing and development of timepieces, we are expanding development and production of devices and high-precision processed parts installed in various electronic equipment.
Systems Solutions
To meet the increasingly complex needs of our customers in this age of digital transformation, we provide optimal one-stop ICT solutions, from consultation to operation management.
Clocks
For over 125 years since we began the production of wall clocks, Seiko has been involved in all areas of clock making from planning and manufacture to the provision of after-sales services. Thanks to our experience, our manufacturing skills, our leading-edge technologies and our passion for quality, we are able to offer a wide variety of exceptional clocks of all types.
System Clocks/Sports Timing
We are developing our business operations comprehensively, covering everything from planning and development to manufacturing, sales, and after-sales services for a variety of products, including system clocks for use in public facilities such as schools and hospitals and sports timing and measurement systems. Also, based on our know-how and technological capabilities cultivated through experience in international sporting events such as the World Athletics Championships, we serve as the official timer of various sports competitions.
Wako and other business operations
Wako, an upscale specialty store that is a landmark in the Ginza district of Tokyo, offers a wide range of high-quality products, including watches, jewelry, men’s and ladies’ products, interior decoration products, and foods, and provides outstanding service. Moreover, our eyewear business, which boasts a history of over 90 years and is one of the few companies in the world that handles both lenses and frames, offers a range of glasses that provide maximum and optimum vision enhancement.
