SEIKO | Baselworld 2013 New Watch Report

SEIKO at Baselworld 2013: A Report from the Show Floor

100 Years Since the Debut of Japan's First Wristwatch

The SEIKO story began in 1881 with Kintaro Hattori's watch shop in Tokyo's Ginza district. This year marks the centenary of the "Laurel," Japan's first domestically produced wristwatch. At Baselworld, SEIKO unveiled anniversary-worthy new models, showcasing their pioneering spirit in cutting-edge electronics and their commitment as a manufacture crafting world-class mechanical timepieces with a distinct approach from Swiss counterparts, opening a new era for the next century.

Text by SHIBUYA Yasuhito

Japan's Sole Watchmaking Icon

SEIKO stands as Japan's preeminent and singular watch brand, its history intertwined with the very narrative of Japanese horology. From Kintaro Hattori's Hattori Watch Shop founded in 1881, and the Seikosha clock factory established in 1892 (Meiji 25), its enduring legacy is punctuated by groundbreaking innovations that have reshaped the world of timekeeping.

This year, 2013, is a momentous occasion, celebrating exactly 100 years since the company began producing the "Laurel," Japan's first wristwatch. At the Basel Fair, SEIKO highlighted its century of watchmaking and its history of innovation through press conferences and booth exhibitions.

The SEIKO booth, relocated to the second floor of the main hall in line with the Basel Fair's redesign, was significantly expanded. Occupying two sections across a central walkway, one area was dedicated to the "SEIKO Astron," the world's first GPS solar watch, which has seen remarkable global sales since its 2012 launch. This new standard in timekeeping, capable of displaying precise time down to the second across all 39 time zones, garnered considerable attention as the most advanced and globally relevant watch for the modern era.

The other section of the booth featured "Grand Seiko," a prestigious brand with a history spanning over half a century since its inception in 1960. On display were the original first model and the "Historical Collection '44GS' Limited Edition," announced at the fair and released in limited quantities worldwide. Reflecting the international gathering of watch aficionados at Baselworld, the mechanical watch enthusiasts were particularly captivated by the exhibits.

Through these displays, SEIKO powerfully reaffirmed its unique position as a watch brand possessing a dual identity: a pioneer forging the future of timekeeping with advanced electronic technology, and a manufacture crafting mechanical timepieces of the highest global standards in precision, utilizing distinct technologies and materials separate from Swiss traditions.

While its cutting-edge electronic technology is undeniable, the company's 100-year history of watchmaking and the unique mechanical watchmaking expertise cultivated throughout that journey are certain to attract even greater attention moving forward.