Seiko: The History of Seikosha Clocks

Seiko watches evolved out of elaborate Victorian-era fashion trends that coupled newer factory technologies with elegance.

In 1871, Japan started a State-led industrialization campaign for the purpose of supplying trade items on the rapidly growing global marketplace. By 1881, Japan had government programs in place to fund small business start-ups, factory expansions, and marketing education from all corners of the planet.
Mr. Kintaro Hattori opened the first modernized Japanese clock shop in Tokyo during the year 1881. By 1892, this Seikosha Clock Shop had opened a small ten-person factory to produce high-quality clocks and timepieces for the demanding Victorian-era audience. During this time period, early clocks were shrinking into jewellery-quality personal time pieces that would accent affluent homes and clothing designs of the day.

    * 1881: Kintaro Hattori opened his Seikosha Clock Shop in Tokyo, Japan.

    * 1892: Seikosha Clock Shop opened their first clock factory with ten employees.

    * 1895: Pocket watches went into production at the Seikosha Factory.

    * 1899: Alarm clocks went into production at the Seikosha Factory.

    * 1902: Tabletop musical clocks and novelties were added to the growing Seikosha lines.

As global unrest started to develop just before World War One, Kintaro Hattori had begun to experiment with the idea of putting tiny clocks onto bands that could be worn around the wrist. A few months before the beginnings of our first global war, the Seikosha Factory produced the first wristwatch made in Japan. During WW1, the wristwatches soared into the preferred method of carrying a personal timepiece.

In 1924, after 43-years in business, the growing Seikosha Empire modernized their public image in advertising campaigns, and shortened their name to Seiko. The shortened company name was probably a marketing effort that would allow the name to be printed and read easier on all sizes of tiny watch faces.

The innovative Seiko Corporation has been responsible for many firsts over the years. Seiko was the first of offer Japanese self-winding watches in the 1950�s, the 1960�s quartz technology in watches, and a wristwatch with a six-digit readout display screen. Seiko watches are known globally today for their large variety of elegant styles and their high-quality in workmanship standards.

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Hamilton Watches

Hamilton watches are related to a company that was long a leader in watch making history. Originated in Lancaster, PA (USA) in 1892, the Hamilton Watch Company had many firsts among its accomplishments over the years to follow.

Known as the "Railroad Timekeeper of America," this company served up extremely accurate timepieces to the railroad industry that relied on being timely. Their watches were rugged, precision pocket watches respected by all. Hamilton watches kept pace with innovations into the next century. They introduced the first wrist watch in 1917 when World War I soldiers desired to have a smaller and more convenient size timepiece to carry.

In the midst of World War II, Hamilton again came to serve the military need of the US Armed Forces with an accurate chronometer to use for navigation at sea. The company introduced the Elinvar (Elasticity Invariable) hairspring and patented it for use in 1931. This mechanism resisted effects of temperature and was used in all movements from that point forward.

In January of 1957, Hamilton developed the world's first electric wristwatch. Using a tiny battery eliminated the use of a mainspring and allowed watches to function for twenty years on a small amount of current. Technical developments by Hamilton were matched by their dedication to styling. Hamilton watches today are among some of the most collectible timepieces.

The company produced watches in American until 1969. The company was bought out by a Swiss watch conglomerate and is sold under their fashionable Swatch Group.

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