02 / Company & ownership
Behind the brand.
Kintaro Hattori opened a Tokyo watch shop in 1881. Seiko went on to produce Japan’s first wristwatch, the first commercial quartz wristwatch and many proprietary movements.
Sources · previous brand research
- 1881
A Tokyo watch business begins the Seiko story.
- 1913
The Laurel is produced at Seikosha.
- 1969
Seiko launches the first commercial quartz wristwatch.



