1881–2026: celebrating 145 years of Kintaro Hattori’s vision

In this year 2026, Seiko proudly celebrates its 145th anniversary. Founded in a modest Tokyo shop in 1881 by a young man of 21, the brand has weathered the decades and survived disaster to become one of the guiding lights of world watchmaking. A look back at 145 years of resilience, watchmaking passion and innovations that changed the course of time.

1881: the origins and the spirit of a pioneer

It all begins in the heart of Tokyo, in the Meiji era. In 1881, aged 21, Kintaro Hattori opened a shop selling and repairing watches and clocks under his own name, in the Kyōbashi district; the business moved to Ginza a few years later. Watching Japan modernise at speed, he understood that the future lay in local manufacturing. In 1892 he bought a disused factory in Tokyo and founded Seikosha (“the house of exquisite workmanship”). His watchword would go down in history: “Seiko must always be one step ahead of the rest.” A forward-looking vision that would guide the brand for nearly a century and a half.

Resilience in the face of disaster: 1923-1924

The great Kantō earthquake of 1923 destroyed almost the whole of the Seikosha factory and the watchmaking workshops. Rather than give up, Hattori showed uncommon resilience. He decided to rebuild at once and, as a gesture of good faith towards his customers, replaced free of charge the 1,500 watches left with him for repair that had been lost in the fire. In 1924, the first watch officially bearing the SEIKO name appeared, the symbol of a legendary rebirth.

Major milestones in history

Decade after decade, Seiko has marked the history of world watchmaking with major innovations:

• 1913 (the Laurel): the very first wristwatch made in Japan, marking the move from the pocket watch to the wrist.
• 1965 (the 62MAS): Japan’s first diver’s watch, water-resistant to 150 metres, ancestor of the celebrated Prospex line.
• 1969 (the Astron and calibre 6139): the invention of quartz on one side, and on the other the launch of one of the world’s first automatic chronographs with a vertical clutch.
• 1999 (the Spring Drive): the ultimate marriage of mechanical poetry and electronic regulation.

Seiko’s legacy in 2026

Today, in 2026, Seiko remains one of the few independent family watch manufactures in the world, led by the descendants of Kintaro Hattori. This 145th anniversary speaks to the quiet strength of its philosophy. Through its Presage, Prospex and Grand Seiko collections, the brand continues to cherish Japanese craftsmanship, a love of natural textures and mechanical excellence. Happy 145th birthday to this great Japanese house.