Seiko Institute of Horology

i think the bros from HWZ can still remember my post of my visit to the Seiko Institute of Horology in Tokyo.

since we are now at our new SC home, it is fitting that his post be re-posted (for everyone's reference :D )



roo didi might want to shift this over to the reference pages... i am not sure, but u can decide :twisted:



in December 2010, i had my second trip to Tokyo and this time round i was determined to visit the Seiko Institute of Horology.

here is my pictorial account of my visit:



just for reference for everyone who is planning or may one day visit Tokyo... here's how to get to the museum by train and a bit of footwork :)



50mins by train, starting at Nishi-Shinjuku station (Marunouchi Line, M07) then change to the Ginza Line at Asakasamitsuke station (M13). The the Ginza Line all the way to the end (Asakusa Station, G19). At Asakusa Station, you need to change to the Tobu-Isesaki Line. Take the train to Higashi-Mukojima Station (3rd station from Asakusa, if i remember correctly).... confused? see pic ;)







get off at Higashi-Mukojima and have nice 10-15min stroll to the Museum (see map):







along the way, you will walk past many quaint little houses, which you don't get to see in the bigger suburbs.

Alternatively, you can take the train from Shibuya (G01) to Asakusa (G19). All of which is on the the Ginza Line.

i hope that will be helpful for those planning a trip to Tokyo.



at the end of the walk, you are greeted by this:









when you walk in the door, you can see the lobby and also this:





the first floor showcases the history of horology from all different nations.

the second floor is where the action is! The Seiko journey through time, beginning with Seiko clocks and its progression through the world wars and then the wristwatches, quartz technology, spring drive... and not to mention the GS, Credor and divers!

(i will shut up now and let u all drool at the pics :lol: )















































time pieces melted in the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, which saw fire destroy the Seiko factory and headquaters





















Japan's first television commercial - by Seiko!

The Laurel (Seiko's first wristwatch)





















































Seiko's first center second hand wristwatch... all watches before this that had a center second hand, did not show true seconds... only a mechanism that turned.

























Seiko was first to make a cartoon character watch :)









Sportsmatic 5.. see the '5' reasons :)









Seiko's first chrono watch... i love this watch!! :ugeek:

The Divers!!!































the COSC shrine... Seiko would have gotten alot more of these certificates if the Swiss didnt kick them out :evil:

















Quartz Astron - the first mass production Quartz wristwatch

















World's first twin quartz watch

iirc, these are stopwatches for the 1964 Tokyo olympics... first time quartz technology was used in the olympics.













its been fun... too may photos and i can not remember all the details.

hope you all enjoyed it.



if any bros are in Tokyo, i recommend you call up the Seiko Institute of Horology and make an appointment, you will not be disappointed - yes, visits are by appointment only, as they will assign a guide to bring you around and explain.

(even my CO who is not a seikoholic, enjoyed it and was impressed by Seiko's achievement and milestones.)



till next time...

Merged and moving to the Articles section :)

Thanks for sharing your exprience & many photos :) , if am ever in Japan i will make a point to vist . ;)

A most excellent gallery of pic from your visit! Very impressive. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing. :)

Very nice and informative! Thanks for the hard work! =)

Bringing this thread up after yesterday's awesome programme.

Thanks for sharing the pictures!