Seiko was founded more than 130 years ago by the young entrepreneur Kinato Hattori as a shop in the heart of Tokyo specializing in the sale and repair of timepieces. Eleven years later, in 1982, Kinarto purchased a factory in Tokyo and began mass-producing his first clock. Seikosha Manufacturing Company was chosen as the name for the facility. Seiko means “exquisite,” “minute,” or “success” in Japanese, and “sha” means “house,” so the name was perfect for what was to come.

The balance-staff pivot is one of the most fragile components of a mechanical watch, but in 1958, the company invented a shock-resistant device called Diashock that absorbs impact to protect it. Seiko made its first foray into the sporting world in 1964, when it was chosen to operate the official Olympic clock for the Tokyo Games. In 1965, Seiko introduced the world to its first dive watch, which quickly became an international sensation. Spring Drive, Seiko’s proprietary technology first introduced in 1999, is a new regulator that replaces the traditional escapement to provide silent, precise movement.

Seiko, a Japanese watchmaking firm, is distinguished by its commitment to innovation, which also serves as a major source of business motivation. While other companies provide a more limited selection of high-end products, Seiko has expanded the availability of their high-quality timepieces thanks to their focus on innovation.