21 Mar 2019
Press Release

A message from the CEO

Dear friend of Grand Seiko and Seiko,

For more than three decades, Seiko has participated in Baselworld. Over that time much has changed but, as I see it, by far the biggest change has been the increase in the knowledge of watch lovers about our industry’s creations. Today, our customers want to know not only what our watches do, but also where they come from and why they exist. Heritage is today as important as function.

For us, this change is both a delight and an opportunity. We feel that the world is becoming ever more interested in Japan and its culture and we are very pleased to have the chance to show the world, through our watches, our horological heritage in Japan for 138 years.

Grand Seiko demonstrates one aspect of this heritage through its hand craftsmanship and in its uniquely Japanese beauty. Prospex showcases Seiko’s ability to create watches that embody the boldness and determination of the Samurai to accept any challenge. Presage opens up the world of traditional Japanese artistry through its unique lacquer and porcelain dials, and Astron offers the best of modern Japanese high technology watchmaking.

2019 is a special year for Seiko. Exactly 50 years ago, we presented our first automatic chronograph, another caliber that delivered an industry-leading level of precision and an ultra-thin hand-winding caliber. Through these three landmark creations, we were able to make an important contribution to mechanical watchmaking at the highest level in terms of function, accuracy and aesthetics. 1969 also saw the launch of the Seiko Quartz Astron, a watch whose place in horological history is secure. Together, these achievements opened up new possibilities in watchmaking and led directly to the creation of Spring Drive 30 years later. With its precision, autonomy and its signature glide motion seconds hand, Spring Drive expresses the nature of time in a particularly Japanese way, which explains why it is finding increasing favor around the world and is at the heart of our 2019 collections.

We invite you to explore the world of Grand Seiko and Seiko and offer you a sincere and warm welcome to our pavilion here at Baselworld.

Sincerely yours,




Shinji Hattori
Chairman & CEO

Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter