Seiko Prospex SPB453J1 Sea Mens Watch

The history of Seiko and its evolution in the world of watches is a fascinating journey through innovation, precision and continuous progress. Since its foundation in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori in Ginza, Tokyo, Seiko has become one of the world's most renowned watch brands, with a name synonymous with quality, reliability and technological sophistication.

Seiko's roots go back to a time when Japan was in transition to modernity. Kintaro Hattori opened a shop in Tokyo in 1881 at the age of 21, specialising in the repair and sale of watches. Seiko, which means "precision" or "accuracy" in Japanese, endeavoured to push the boundaries of watchmaking from the very beginning. An important milestone was the introduction of Japan's first wristwatch in 1913 - the Laurel. This event not only marked Seiko's entry into wristwatch production, but also a step towards technological innovation and design excellence. The Laurel was not only a timepiece, but also a symbol of Seiko's endeavour to combine traditional watchmaking with modern technology.

Innovation and technical breakthroughs

Seiko continued its development and achieved several technological breakthroughs in the following decades that revolutionised the watch industry. In the 1950s, Seiko introduced the first movement in Japan, called "Seiko Marvel", which represented a significant advance in automatic watch technology. This movement laid the foundation for Seiko's reputation as a pioneer in automatic watch technology and a leader in precision and reliability. This technological leadership culminated in 1960 with the introduction of the Grand Seiko, a line of watches that epitomised precision and craftsmanship.

The Grand Seiko epitomised Seiko's pursuit of perfection down to the smallest detail, with a mechanical movement that offered remarkable accuracy and a long power reserve. This timepiece was not only a sign of technological superiority, but also a symbol of Japanese craftsmanship and precision labour.

The era of diving watches

Another milestone in Seiko's history was the introduction of the first diver's watch in 1965. This automatic diver's watch was not only the first of its kind in Japan, but also demonstrated Seiko's commitment to professional specifications and reliability in extreme conditions. The watch quickly became a favourite of professional divers and was even used in the Japanese Antarctic exploration expedition from 1966 to 1969, where it proved its robustness and precision.

Over the years, Seiko has continued to innovate, particularly in the areas of quartz technology and kinetic energy harvesting. The introduction of the Seiko Astron in 1969 marked the birth of the world's first quartz watch, sparking a revolution in the watch industry and redefining the precision and reliability of wristwatches, and Seiko later developed kinetic technology, which uses the wearer's movement to generate and store the watch's energy, resulting in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly power source for watches. In the 21st century, Seiko is focusing on further developing mechanical movements and integrating advanced materials such as titanium and ceramic to produce watches that offer not only technological innovation but also aesthetic sophistication.  The evolution of the Grand Seiko line and the introduction of new collections such as Prospex and Presage have further strengthened Seiko's position as a leading watch brand. 

Today, Seiko is a globally recognised brand known for its versatility in design and technology. From classic ladies' watches to rugged sports and diving watches, Seiko offers a wide range of models to meet the needs and preferences of watch enthusiasts around the world. The brand remains true to its heritage and continuously strives for perfection and innovation. By combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, Seiko continues to set the standard for precision, reliability and design in the watch industry. With a clear view to the future, Seiko remains an icon of watchmaking and a symbol of the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Specifications

Brand: Seiko

Reference No.: SPB453J1

Collection: Prospex

Calibre: 6R55

Gear reserve: approx. 72 hours

Watch glass: domed sapphire crystal

Case material: Stainless steel

Case diameter: 40 mm

Case height: 13 mm

Case length: 46.4 mm

Case colour: silver

Dial colour: Black

Strap material: Stainless steel

Circumference of the bracelet: max. 210 mm

Band width: 20 mm

Bracelet colour: silver   

Water resistant: 30 ATM

Warranty: 24 months international manufacturer's warranty

Packaging: Original manufacturer's storage box with instructions for use