A SYMBOL OF ENDURING LEGACY
1837
The story of Seiko begins in 1873, long before the company was founded, when Japan adopted the solar calendar in place of the lunar system. The old Japanese time system had come to an end and no one in Japan had the experience or know-how to make clocks that could be used for the new time system. It led to the creation of an entirely new horological industry in Japan.
This wall clock was made by Seikosha in 1892, the year Kintaro Hattori set up his first clock factory
1877
In 1877, Kintaro Hattori started a clock repair service, Hattori Clock Repair, which laid the foundations of modern clock and watch making in Japan. It also provided the foundation for the organisation that was to become, by the end of the 20th century, not only Japan’s most important watch and clock company, but also one of the largest and most important in the world. Kintaro’s success, earned him the nickname “King of Timepieces”.
Kintaro Hattori
1881
Just four years later in 1881, he set up a new company, K Hattori, as a vehicle for expanding his business. In 1892 Seikosha was formed. It was here that he produced his first clocks and these marked the beginnings of a company that was to become one of the world’s most important manufacturers of timepieces. Seikosha started by making wall clocks and later graduated to pocket-watches, alarm clocks and wrist watches.
Poster shows
the Seikosha factory and
some of its earliest products
1892
Founded Seikosha Clock Factory, started production of wall clocks
Founded Seikosha Clock Factory, started production of wall clocks