Episode 1 From the Foundation to the Miracle-Postwar-Restoration


In 1937, the wristwatch manufacturing department of Seikosha, the horologe factory under K. Hattori (currently Seiko Holdings Corporation),initiated an independent company history as Daini Seikosha, today’s SII, which achieved the respectable annual wristwatch production figure of 1 million on this year of the establishment. Although the production of the same had favorably increased, soon came the Second World War and the factory received devastating damages; however, the employees with an indomitable spirit achieved a miraculous restoration.

Kameido factory in Koto-ku at the time of establishment (1940)

From left: The 10-ligne calibre (10”’) luxury wrist watch “Seiko-sha Precision” (1939), the 17-ligne calibre (17”’) pocket watch chronograph (1941), the 8-ligne calibre (8”’) wrist watch (1948)

Main plate processing workplace (the 1940s)

Kameido factory recovered from the wartime devastation (1949)

TOP page Episode 2 Catch Up to Switzerland, Climb Up to the Top of the World