Seiko has created a special edition Astron GPS Solar watch to mark the 160th birth anniversary of Kintaro Hattori, the visionary founder of Seiko.
Seiko’s founder Kintaro Hattori was born in 1860 in central Tokyo, Japan. At the age of just 17, he set up his own timepiece repair business at his home and, just four years later, he founded his own company K. Hattori for repairing, importing and selling clocks and watches. In 1892, Hattori established the Seikosha Factory. Under his leadership, his small venture grew to be Japan’s pre-eminent timepiece manufacturer.
Seiko Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori 160th Anniversary Limited Edition
In 2020, Seiko is celebrating the life, career and achievements of its founder with a limited edition watch that exemplifies to perfection Kintaro’s vision that Seiko should always be “One step ahead of the rest”. Seiko has selected its most advanced watch collection, the Astron GPS Solar, to create this special edition watch.
The watch case and bracelet are in titanium with a scratch-resistant hard-coating. The bezel is made from Zirconia ceramic and has sixteen facets, one for each decade since Kintaro’s birth.
The case back carries Kintaro’s name and three reminders of his legacy. The trademark “S” that he registered in 1900 occupies the center of the case back. His motto “One step ahead of the rest” appears above it and the name Seiko which was first used in 1924 takes pride of place on the rim. Kintaro’s name, the ‘S’ mark and his motto share the case back with each watch’s individual serial number.
The watch is offered in a special presentation box with a commemorative “S” mark badge and includes a card carrying a message from Kintaro’s great-grandson and the company’s current Chairman & CEO, Shinji Hattori.
The Kintaro Hattori 160th Anniversary watch (reference SSH073J1) will be available in the month of Kintaro’s birth, October, at Seiko Boutiques and at selected retail partners worldwide.
Technical details
Model: Seiko Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori 160th Anniversary Limited Edition, Reference SSH073J1
Movement
Caliber 5X53
GPS controlled time and time zone adjustment
Dual-Time with AM/PM indication
Perpetual calendar correct to Feb 2100
Automatic DST adjustment function
High Speed Time Zone Adjustment
Time Transfer Function
Signal reception result indication
World time function (39 time zones)
Power save function
Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month (without receiving a GPS signal and at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C)
Case and strap
Titanium case and bracelet with super-hard black coating, Zirconia ceramic bezel
Three-fold clasp with push button release
A crocodile strap is also included.
Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating Diameter: 42.8mm, Thickness: 15.6mm
Water resistance: 20 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Edition
Limited edition of 2,500 pieces
Price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €4,000
