Kintaro Hattori founded Hattori Watch Shop (retail and repair of watches). Gained trust from foreign trading houses and developed significantly.
Yokamaki hanging clock. Established Seiko Shokai based on success in retail. Started manufacturing wall clocks.
Moved to the corner of Ginza 4-chome and built a store with a clock tower.
Started manufacturing the company's first pocket watch,
Established sales agencies in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Preempting the shift from pocket watches, launched the first domestically produced wristwatch, "Laurel".
A watch melted in the Great Kanto Earthquake. All factories and stores were destroyed in the September Great Kanto Earthquake but resumed operations in November. Gained solid trust by giving new watches free of charge in exchange for repaired watches lost in the earthquake.
Launched the first wristwatch under the Seiko brand.
First SEIKO logo watch. Launched the first Seiko brand wristwatch.
Completion of the current Ginza 4-chome Clock Tower (now SEIKO HOUSE).
Separated and established the Watch Division of the Seiko Instruments Inc. (now Seiko Instruments Inc.).
Retail division became independent and formed Wako Co., Ltd.
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Suwako Factory became independent and established Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corporation).
First Grand Seiko. Launched the "Grand Seiko" with the world's highest precision standards.
Launched the first Grand Seiko. A watch with the highest precision standards in the world.
Responsible for official timing of the Tokyo Olympics, and has handled timing for the subsequent 5 Games (Sapporo, Barcelona, Lillehammer, Nagano, Salt Lake).
Handled official timing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. During the post-war reconstruction and economic growth era, Seiko committed to official timing, mobilizing 36 types, 1,278 units of equipment, and 172 personnel to ensure the success of the event.
Handled official timing for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the first Olympics after World War II, with 36 types of 1,278 devices and 172 personnel, supporting the success of the event.
Dominated the mechanical watch category at the Geneva Observatory Competition.
Launched the world's first household quartz wall clock.
Geneva Observatory Measurement Table. Dominated the mechanical watch segment at the Geneva Observatory Competition.
Launched the world's first household quartz wall clock.
Established Hattori (H.K.) Ltd in Hong Kong (now Seiko Hong Kong Ltd). Subsequently, established local subsidiaries around the world.
Established Hattori (H.K.) Ltd in Hong Kong (now Seiko Hong Kong Ltd). Subsequently, established local subsidiaries around the world.
Launched the world's first quartz watch "Quartz Astron".
Quartz Astron. Launched the world's first quartz watch, "Quartz Astron."
Developed the IC-equipped quartz watch 36SQC.
Official timing of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics. Improvements were made to measure time with high precision under harsh natural conditions such as snow, ice, and cold, establishing a comprehensive timing system.
Handled official timing for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, improving to measure time accurately under harsh natural conditions such as snow, ice, and cold, with dual electrical timing systems and backup manual timing systems.
Launched the world's first six-digit digital watch.
Launched a 6-digit digital watch.
Developed crystal oscillators and silver oxide batteries.
Kazuo Takeoka won the World Skills Olympics. Since then, produced a total of 7 winners.
Masahide Nakazawa won the National Skills Olympics. Since then, produced a total of 8 winners.
Supported the Seiko World Super Tennis held from 1978 to 1995.
Handled timing for the 1978, 1982, 1986, and 1990 FIFA World Cups.
Seiko World Super Tennis (1978-1995), FIFA World Cup (1978, 1982, 1986, 1990)
Since 1979, responsible for timing at the NHK Trophy International Figure Skating Competition.
NHK Trophy International Figure Skating Competition (1979-present)
Entered the thermal printer mechanism market.
From 1980 to 1991, responsible for timing at the French Open Tennis.
French Open Tennis (1980-1991)
From 1981 to 2006, responsible for timing at the Tokyo International Marathon.
Tokyo International Marathon (1981-2006, Tokyo Marathon after 2007)
Entered the thermal printer mechanism market.
Installed Japan's first large-scale automaton clock "Marion Clock". Became a catalyst for the nationwide automaton clock boom.
Since 1984, responsible for timing at the Nagoya International Women's Marathon and the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis Tournament.
Foul judgment device, Nagoya International Women's Marathon (1984-present), Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis Tournament (1984-present)
Developed an ordering system for the food service industry.
In 1985, signed a partnership agreement with World Athletics, timing over 180 competitions. Has been the official timer for the World Championships in Athletics for 16 consecutive events since the Rome 1987.
Developed ordering terminals.
Partnership agreement with World Athletics in 1985. Beginning over 30 years of history. Seiko has timed over 180 competitions since 1985 under contract with World Athletics. The World Championships in Athletics has been officially timed in 16 consecutive events since the Rome 1987 Games.
Formed a partnership with World Athletics. Responsible for official timing at IAAF World Championships in Rome, and has continued to handle timing.
Since the second Rome event in 1987, responsible for official timing at the World Championships in Athletics.
Optical wave distance meter (EDM)
Launched ultra-thin, ultra-high precision interior wall clocks.
Established Seiko Time System Inc. (now Seiko Time Creation Inc.).
Barcelona Olympics 1992, responsible for official timing of the Summer Olympics for the first time in 28 years. Introduced speaker-integrated starting blocks and a comprehensive swimming system to manage results online.
In 1992, responsible for official timing at the Barcelona Olympics for the first time in 28 years. Introduced speaker-integrated starting blocks and a comprehensive swimming system to manage results online.
Established Seiko Time System Inc. (now Seiko Time Creation Inc.).
Lillehammer Olympics 1994, the first Winter Olympics official timing in 22 years. Introduced newly developed measurement equipment, contributing to the success of the event.
In 1994, responsible for official timing at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics for the first time in 22 years. Evolved the comprehensive sports management system and developed many new devices.
World Athletics Athens 1997, promoted the introduction of new equipment for track and field. Introduced color-coded slit video and foul judgment devices for sprints, improving judgment accuracy.
At the 1997 Athens World Championships in Athletics, introduced colorized slit video and new foul judgment devices, contributing to improved judgment accuracy.
Nagano Olympics 1998, responsible for official timing of Japan's first Winter Olympics in 26 years. Implemented systems using high-speed cameras and PCs for accurate measurement and data display.
At the Nagano Olympics in 1998, responsible for official timing for the first time in 26 years at a Winter Olympics held in Japan. Implemented high-speed cameras and PC-based systems for precise measurement and information provision.
Launched the world's first Spring Drive watch.
Launched Spring Drive watches.
Started timestamping services.
Started Seiko Cyber Time and timestamp services.
Salt Lake City Olympics 2002, responsible for official timing of the Winter Olympics for three consecutive Games. Introduced transponders to provide pass times wirelessly.
At the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002, responsible for official timing at the third consecutive Winter Olympics. Introduced transponders and utilized the latest technology.
New wind direction and wind speed meter
Established the "Shizukuishi High-Grade Watch Workshop" for integrated production of mechanical wristwatches.
Opened the Shizukuishi high-end watch workshop. Integrated production of mechanical wristwatches.
Developed mercury-free silver oxide batteries.
Developed mercury-free silver oxide batteries. Moriyuki Sakurada received the Yellow Ribbon Medal. Established Seiko NPC Inc. Launched the desk clock decor "Eternal".
Official timing at the 1st Tokyo Marathon, and continued to handle timing thereafter.
Since 2007, serving as the official timer for the Tokyo Marathon. Supports elite and citizen runners and broadcasts messages along the course.
Handled official timing at the 1st Tokyo Marathon.
Tokyo Marathon 2007, responsible for official timing from the first event. Continues to support the event with message broadcasting along the course.
Merged with Seiko Instruments Inc.
Berlin World Championships 2009, measured the men's 100m world record of 9.58 seconds. Introduced a new transponder system for track and road races.
At the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, timed the men's 100m world record of 9.58 seconds. Introduced new transponder systems for track and road races.
Seiko Golden Grand Prix Athletics 2011, a competition gathering top athletes worldwide. Introduced Video Distance Measurement (VDM) to improve measurement accuracy and efficiency.
At the 2011 Seiko Golden Grand Prix Athletics, introduced Video Distance Measurement (VDM) to improve measurement accuracy and efficiency.
Launched the world's first GPS solar watch "Seiko Astron".
Launched Seiko Astron. The world's first GPS solar watch.
Established Seiko Solutions Inc.
2013, introduced full-color LED field event boards and trackside clocks to enhance display at the competition venue.
Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT, which won the Geneva Watch Grand Prix Petit Echelle category award.
Made Grand Seiko an independent brand.
Made Grand Seiko an independent brand. Launched mobile printer MP-B20.
London 2017 World Athletics Championships, introduced advanced timing systems. Used full-color LED field event boards and trackside clocks to contribute to the success of the event.
At the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, introduced advanced timing systems. Installed field event boards and trackside clocks, contributing to the success of the event.
2018, formation of Team Seiko to support athletes' challenges.
Launched ultra-lightweight, ultra-compact professional mobile printer MP-B20.
Contributed to the success of the World Athletics Championships in Doha with advanced timing systems, the first in the Middle East.
Launched the world's first reflow-compatible MS series lithium secondary batteries.
Handled timing system at IAAF World Championships Doha. Launched MS-series lithium secondary batteries "MS621R." Released LUiNa.
Contributed to the success of the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Middle East, with advanced timing systems. Introduced a new sandpit event board to enhance the excitement of the competition.
At the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, introduced advanced timing systems. Adopted new technologies such as sandpit event boards, contributing to the success of the event.
Released AI-based predictive maintenance service "LUiNa".
Opened Seiko Museum Ginza.
Relocated the Seiko Museum to Ginza and opened as "Seiko Museum Ginza".
Launched the world's first wristwatch with new mechanism "Kodo" (Heartbeat).
Reorganized the Wako main building as "SEIKO HOUSE".
In 2022, the new Team Seiko was established. A team supporting athletes' challenges and delivering excitement to people through sports.
Launched Kodo, the world's first watch with new mechanism. Redeveloped Wako main building as "SEIKO HOUSE." Changed company name to Seiko Group Corporation.
2022 Reorganization of Team Seiko. New athletes joined, and activities began as a team that delivers inspiration to people through sports.
Supported as an official sponsor of the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Japan.
Renamed the company Seiko Group Corporation.
Opened the "Grand Seiko Museum" inside Seiko Museum Ginza.
Started next-generation development activities "Tokiiku®" with over 10,000 participants.
Opened "Grand Seiko Museum" inside Seiko Museum Ginza. Started next-generation development activity "Time Education®" after surpassing 10,000 participants.
At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, introduced VTT (Video Track Tracking system) for short-distance events. Created a 'Final Lap Bell' exclusive to the event to enhance the atmosphere.
Introduced the 'VTT (Video Track Tracking system)' for sprint events at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Created a 'Final Lap Bell' exclusive to the event, showcasing Japanese craftsmanship and aesthetic sense.
The Seiko Summer Jazz Camp Special Live @ Alfie, held on December 8, 2026 at JAZZ CLUB ALF, is a live performance by a quintet of five musicians led by graduate trumpeter Riki Kikuchi. Kikuchi received the Best Arrangement & Composition Award at the same camp in 2025 and is currently actively performing in Tokyo.
Hina Oikawa, a Seiko Group alumna and saxophonist, received an Honorable Mention in an international composition competition. Her work “Manhattan” expresses the energy of New York City and is also included on her album. She has expressed her determination to continue developing her musical career.