Seiko

Seiko Press Conference Baselworld 2014

Seiko President HATTORI Shinji welcomed us to Baselworld 2014.

He quoted his great grandfather who founded Seiko company. 

"Always one step ahead of others."

K. Hattori, Founder of Seiko

Key Points

GRAND SEIKO range expanded.

PROSPEX mid range collection expanded and GLOBAL launch.

Formerly for Japan only.

Seiko Diver watch history:

1965 first divers watch with 150m water resistance.

Used on the Antarctic expedition

1967. 300m depth and hi beat movement.

1975. 600m depth Seiko Professional Divers watch that led to the ISO standard. Many items on ISO standard were created based on this watch.

Titanium case.

Accordion strap invented by Seiko grips wrist under depths

1988. 1000m depth watch.

The Divemaster range led to the Landmaster, Flightmaster, Fieldmaster and now Prospex range.

2014 novelty is a Kinetic movement, 200m depth rated, watch with Accordion strap of silicone rubber.

ASTRON history:

Astron GPS Solar watch was world's first.

For 2014, a new Astron calibre is launched: Smaller for wider range of models including ladies. Even more, it is a chronograph too. The activation of time zone change is easier than version 1.

Currently, Seiko offers 20 Astron models with 2 calibres and 11 new models.

First time all the collection seen in Baselworld at the same time at their booth.

Astron 100% sales increase last year.

CHRONOGRAPH FUNCTION ADDED

SMALLER

New chronograph version with smaller calibre.

Smaller by 30% volume

Diameter 44.6mm

Height 13.3mm 

INTUITIVE

Button sequence is simplified.......just one button instead of the multi-button sequence of version 1.

Here he dons a Japanese warrior hat to denote location in Japan before activating the new Astron GPS capture.

Switching to Basel location (and hat), he activates the time change with just one button pressed.

That covers the Intuitive function key point.

Addressing the Smaller calibre volume key point, Mr Yoshino employed the assistance of his UK colleague Rob Wilson.

The new Astron calibre is 30% smaller than the old model, visually illustrated by this body size comparison.

Here is my old Astron with orange markers with the white marker version to compare later with the new watches.

2014 new Astron with blue markers and chronograph function.

2014 new Astron with orange markers and chronograph function.

2014 new Astrons with white or black inner bezels and chronograph function.

Novak Djokovic is the Seiko Ambassador with the four watch ranges serving his different lifestyle needs. For example, he expects to change timie zones 60 times during the year so the new Astron with chronograph function will make those changes a breeze......

Grand Seiko occupies 50% of the exhibition at Seiko booth in Baselworld 2014.

Grand Seiko 1 was introduced in 1960 and Grand Seiko 2 was launched in 1964. 

For 2014, a homage to the1964 model with Spring Drive is the novelty from Seiko.

1960 and 1964 Grand Seiko

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