SethRL
295
This will probably be controversial -- but I don't get it.
What I see in all these photos is a wonderfully made industrial product. Maybe I'm too much of a watch neophyte but this seems to me rather unenticing, too cold, and altogether like an assembly line. Why do I care if the watch is made in a state-of-the-art clean room? A speck of dust being avoided? That bespeaks antiseptic production and while a surgery may be a form of art and craft, a watch is an entirely different form of art and craft. I may have an outdated Ruskinian aesthetic and philosophy but if this is what watch-making is all about, I'll return to the other things that I collect and which fills my world. (Much of what I've just written, for what it is worth, accords with what I said in my post to "Why independents?" thread on the AHCI forum last week.)
I'm willing to hear other views but to me this is more of a turn-off for Seikos, than a turn-on.
A visit to Seiko’s Shizukuishi Watch Studio
A visit to Seiko’s Shizukuishi Watch Studio Seiko has man facilities across Japan, and the world, producing watches and watch components. One of the main production sites is located in Morioka, in the north of Honshu Island and about three hours from Toky...
Part I: Parts production
As is to be expected from Seiko, the factory is impressively large and vertically integrated, producing nearly every component of the movement. Parts that are not made on-site are made at other Seiko facilities, and I think that is limited to the jewels o...
Part II: Decoration and finishing
Production capacity at Shizukuishi is 20,000 to 30,000 units a year. But while those facts and numbers would imply industrial production on a heroic scale, devoid of the human touch, that is the converse of the truth. An explanation of the various finishi...
Part III: Movement and watch assembly
One would think that the accuracy of the Grand Seiko is because of the rigorous testing done after assembly. That is only half the story. The process of assembly is quite extraordinary. The level of effort that goes into ensuring the environment is perfec...
I don't have words...
Well, this post is one of the best reportage that i have read in the web. Unbelievable work, congratulation SJX. Regard. Max.
Part IV: Assembly of ultra-thin, skeleton cal. 6899A
Saito Katuo is one of the few watchmakers who are able to assemble the 1.98 mm high cal. 6899A, a skeletonised, ultra-thin, hand-wound movement. Comparison of the pallet fork from the cal. 6899 and a regular mechanical movement The movement is slightly sl...
Part V: Inspection and testing
After assembly, the watches are inspected and tested for water resistance in an adjacent room. Once they pass, and I am pretty sure nearly all do, they are shipped out (mainly to Japanese destinations but that will change gradually). This message has been...
Exhibit "A" in the case . . .
. . . for Seiko's commitment to quality. Thanks, SJX, for this report . . . another turn of the ratchet in favor of acquiring a Grand Seiko. Cordially, Art
Thanks SJX,
For the great report, very nice to see it made overthere, would be intresting for a Purist trip one day with a hole group. best, Michel
HQ report.
I've enjoyed it a lot. It's not easy to see how the watch industry from other countries work. And the Japanese really know how to do things. I like the way they do work, nice philosophy. Thank you so much for sharing. Vte
This will probably be controversial -- but I don't get it.
What I see in all these photos is a wonderfully made industrial product. Maybe I'm too much of a watch neophyte but this seems to me rather unenticing, too cold, and altogether like an assembly line. Why do I care if the watch is made in a state-of-the-ar...
It is very subjective, Seth...
Are they mechanically inferior to European watches, I don't think so, but I prefer to not answer as I don't know Seiko watches, so, I'm not in position to give my opinion. Now, aesthetically speaking, I totally agree with you. Their feeling and design let...
So...
...you painstakingly adjust a watch for accuracy in vaious positions...and get that speck of dust on the hairspring....Not a reason for clean-rooms? I get your points about the sterile atmosphere, but this place makes 20000units per year. Mass production ...
I get what you are saying but for me
it's Seiko's philosophy of watchmaking, as wonderfuly illustrated in this post, that realy appeals to my value set.
I think SJX started the post with a picture of all the employees on a wall...
and further elaborated on it showing us that these are actually people working on watches rather than robots it may look industrial, antiseptic but the dedication is probably no less than their counterparts in Europe or the US. hard to romanticize them wh...
I am with Nicolas on this one...
... that this whole thing is subjective. To evaluate the watch, in all simplicity, there are three points - outside (case, design), inside (movement) and the passion/philosophy of the people behind it. Well, at least there are, to me. And certain brands/i...
A great and wise man once wrote
" Production capacity at Shizukuishi is 20,000 to 30,000 units a year. But while those facts and numbers would imply industrial production on a heroic scale, devoid of the human touch, that is the converse of the truth. Watch making at Shizukuishi is care...
Thanks
Thanks, Nicholas, BDLJ, Richard, Echi, Ken and SJX -- those things all help and I do suppose it is the nature of turning out 20000 watches; probably would not be that different from any other major brand. --Seth
Pretty cool!
I just love Seikos! This post just makes me want to run out and buy another Seiko! LOL! Seriously, I think the skeletonized Credor movement is lovely. I don't find anything clinical or cold about it! I actually appreciate Seiko's processes and industriali...
Awesome report and pics!
Thanks for sharing. Those movement assembly workbenches are beautiful!
Loved the radar charts for employee productivity performance!
Would like to know which indicators they are measuring Great report, SJX! Thanks!!!
Thanks for sharing...
must have been an interesting trip to see first hand how the Japanese do their stuff as compared to how their Swiss counterparts do so. Thanks again for sharing...
Phenomenal report!
on one of the companies I admire the most! Thank you very, very much for all the excellent photos, they really helped leave an impression that's as close as it gets to actually being there! Best, Filip
What is the ranking grade of SEIKO watch lines?
SJX, Thanks for the update. Wow! 10 million movements EACH month?!? That's industrial production on a grand scale. And yet they also make mechanical high end movements. Please remind our readers about the ranking of Seiko, Credor, Grand Seiko, Prospex, Br...
Allow me...
... Seiko doesn't say the "ranking" so precisely except that they categorize into three: Premium - Grand Seiko, Credor, Galante Men's - Brightz (Brights Ananta, Brights Phoenix), Prospex, Dolce, Mechanical Lady's - Seiko M, Lukia, Exceline, Tisse Others -...
A few more details
Credor has more contemporary design while GS is strictly conservative. Prospex means "Professional Specification" or "Pro Specs". - SJX
Great information!
Thank you for posting, this is something that I didn't know previously! Filip
Thanks a lot for this superb report SJX !
I wish I could visit the Watch Studio one day but it is not very close to Paris... ;-) Fr.Xavier
May I join in? :)
It could be an unforgettable experience. Always there has been something in Japan that really attracts me, and what could be better than a trip to the red sun country with a visit to an amazing watch factory included? Cheers. Vte
Pulitzer incoming..
excellent article...thank you for making me wear my old father's Seiko much more proudly Best Damjan
Thanks Damjan. But I think
the Pulitzer will probably go to the official PuristSPro report as described by MTF below. - SJX
Superb post SJX.
You travel to the ends of the earth to bring us wonderful insights to inspire us. I was a recent convert to the GS line with my blue dial 50th. anniv. I have no doubt in my mind the meticulous workmanship & dedication that goes into each one of them.The f...
Superb Report SJX!
This really shows how serious SEIKO is with high horology world. I hope I could have a tour in their factory on my next visit to Japan Thank you for such a great report SJX! Cheers Sam
Hey, I am going to visit there next week...
... this is a very good material for preparation for the visit. I will not have to report here, though Thank you! This is really great and I am so glad that SEIKO is recognized such here! Best, Ken
Ken: Yours will be the official PuristSPro Japan report
Ken, A-so desuka? How exciting for your first Japanese moderator field trip! You can also get the Japanese details...in.....er......Japanese. Pity it could not be end-March/early-April when I visit Japan for the first time since 2006...... Regards, MTF
Huh? What else will have been left to be reported?
I'll see what I can find interesting Ken
My sensei used to say
"To swim with the fishes, one needs to have the mind-set of the Ocean". Ken, You may get more sense of the Seiko ocean....... Regards, MTF
Excellent reporting SJX
Giving me an impetus to dig out my GS to wear tomorrow!! Best, Horo
Highly informative posts. I would not mind a tour of the Seiko..
studios assembling mechanical and quartz movements.
a very enjoyable and informative tour
all the more reason to buy a Grand Seiko \ thanks for this post Jason
Very informative.
Without some of the commentary it might just look like another high precision production line. But the text of the article helped to nicely explain the 'Seiko Philosophy', and how it comes through in their watches and production processes, and how perhaps...
Great post: interesting, illuminating, and shows the extent
of Seiko's watchmaking prowess. Wish I could see it for myself - thanks SJX. Andrew H
From an owner of over 20 Grand Seikos, thank you!
I have not been to a Japanese watch factory but I can say that having Grand Seikos, Credors, Galantes and other Seiko watches takes you on a real journey through the watch world. Not all are winners. Some bored me and I sold them. Certainly these watches ...
Thank you SJX for your fully indepth report..............
Seiko timepieces have always remained one of my most favourite brands. I especially loved the beautifully taken photos of the Credor movement and it's fantastic detail. And it was a Seiko chronograph back in the 70's that started me on this passion of our...
Fantastic Reporting JX
This production process is on par with some of the best in Switzerland. Jon
