Many companies have a long history, but fans of Seiko Watches are now able to study the influence of one of the longest standing companies in Japanese horology as the company has expanded and substantially updated its museum.
The museum originally opened in 1981 to celebrate the 100 year history of the company. It was initially conceived as a place to study the history of the company from its beginnings as the shop of the company founder Kintaro Hattori and its later production of clocks under the now famous branding of the popular manufacturer of watches 11 years later.
Seiko Watches: - Quick Facts
Company founded in 1881
First quartz watch in 1969
Manufactured first talking alarm clock in 1984
Now renamed the Seiko Institute of Horology, the museum has been closed for the past few months as part of a refit. The newly upgraded facility also features a specialist Library of Horology that preserves around 7000 catalogued documents and books relating to time keeping.
The ground floor of the exhibit also included a number of historical items from before the development of brands such as Seiko Watches. These include incense clocks used in the Japanese Edo period between the 17th and 19th century, iron frame watches and a number of sun dials including a rare portable example made in Korea in the 15th Century in the neighbouring nation of Korea. The second floor is dedicated to Seiko Watches products.
The institute and museum exist to present a history of the famous brand of watches including its high end models such as the King Seiko and Grand Seiko which are not offered outside of Japan. The company also has examples of the Astron watches developed as the first commercially available quartz watches in the late 1960’s.
Visitors to Tokyo who wish to tour the museum can arrange a visit to the facility by calling 00 81 3 3610 6248 in advance to make a reservation.