The Art of Japanese Watchmaking

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The Seiko Museum Ginza invites you to immerse yourself in the history of Japanese timekeeping. The journey takes you from the development of sundials and water clocks to the groundbreaking Seiko models and kinetic chronographs. We take a look at over 100 years of watchmaking history that have made Seiko synonymous with precision.

Even the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923 and the complete destruction of his Seikōsha factory (House of Precision) did not deter company founder Kintarō Hattori from launching the first official wristwatch under the Seiko name a year later. A hundred years later, the Seiko Museum, located in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo’s shopping epicentre, tells the success story of the Japanese watch brand.

Excellence from Japan

On display over several floors are sundials and water clocks, traditional exhibits from the Edo period that followed the unique time system used in the country, groundbreaking timepieces, Seiko vintage models, kinetic chronographs and countless other watches — some of which have a slightly exotic aesthetic. Of course, with so much history, the development of quartz watches should not be overlooked, nor should timekeeping in sport.

Uhrenmuseen Seiko 09 — Hello Kitty, Donald Duck and other famous characters are also available as watches

Uhrenmuseen Seiko 05 — Early watches from Seikosha

Pioneering spirit

Always one step ahead of the rest of the world. In line with the philosophy of its founder Kintarō Hattori, for many decades Seiko has been at the forefront not only in the world of watches, but also in other areas. When Japanese television introduced TV advertising in 1953, the first commercial was none other than that of the Seiko brand.