Seiko was founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori as a watch and jewelry shop called K. Hattori in Tokyo. Hattori started producing clocks under the company name Seikosha in 1892, and officially changed its trade mark to Seiko in 1924. In addition to being a household name today even amongst non-watch enthusiasts, Seiko has the distinction of releasing the world’s first commercial quartz watch in 1969.
Seiko has briefly owned French brand Yema from 1986 until 2004.
Association with François Cevert
French Formula One driver François Cevert is widely associated with the Seiko Speedtimer (ref. 6139-6000 and 6139-6009), nicknamed the “Cevert”. According to a detailed article on DC Vintage Watches, many notable photographs of Cevert wearing a Seiko Speedtimer can be dated to 1971.
“John Player Special”
While there is no official connection with Lotus or John Player Tobacco, reference 6138-8039 became known as the “John Player Special”. Released around 1976 or later, the chronograph sports a distinctive black and gold dial with unmistakable echos of the Lotus F1 cars of the era.
Honda F1
While Seiko might not be the first brand that comes to mind when it comes to Grand Prix racing, the legendary Japanese watch company boasts an impressive catalog of Formula One edition watches thanks to a long-standing association with Honda. Early examples are the Seiko Honda F1 Grand Prix Racing Team A781-4010 and A781-405A, which share the same module with the Racing Master digital chronograph line.
Lucky Strike BAR Honda
Seiko began sponsoring the Lucky Strike BAR Honda Formula One team in 2005, which spawned the release of multiple Honda Racing F1 Team edition Sportura models. At least two models such as the Seiko Sportura Honda Racing F1 Ultimate Kinetic Chronograph SLQ021 had limited runs and shipped with an authentic Honda F1 gear ratio wheel, complete with a certificate of authenticity signed by both Seiko CEO Shinji Hattori and Honda GP Ltd. CEO Nicky Fry. The partnership would continue until the end of 2008, during which time Formula One driver and then-future world champion Jenson Button served as a Seiko ambassador for the Sportura line.
Super Aguri F1
In 2007, Seiko also released the Seiko Ignition Super Aguri F1 Team (ref. SBHP023). The collaboration with the Japanese Formula One team was released in its home country and limited to 200 pieces.
Likely around the same time, the Seiko F1 Honda Racing Team Chronograph Limited Edition (ref. 7T82-0AD0) was released. The words “F1 Honda Racing Team” features on both the dial and case back, and had a limited run of 2,007 pieces.
Related Pages
References
https://yema.com/pages/our-story
https://www.safonagastrocrono.club/racing-watches-9-seiko-francois-cevert/
https://www.chrono24.com/magazine/the-legend-of-the-seiko-6139-p_80595/
https://www.vintagewatchadvisors.com/blog/2019/03/17/seiko-6139-600x-part-i/
https://wornandwound.com/watches-and-f1-seiko-6138-8039-john-player-special/
https://www.motortrend.com/news/honda-civic-type-r-seiko-astron-watch/
https://www.europastar.com/news/1003805542-seiko-renews-sponsorship-agreementwith-honda.html
https://masterhorologer.com/2008/02/07/seiko-ignition-super-aguri-f1-team-limited-edition-sbhp023/
https://picclick.co.uk/Exc-5-Seiko-F1-Honda-Racing-Team-Chronograph-Limited-405472248669.html
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r1097400812