The meaning behind the “Seed” in Seiko Seed
Seiko Seed, which hosted a series of special exhibitions at the WITH HARAJUKU complex in Harajuku, Tokyo, from October 2022 to February 16, 2025, derives its name from the acronym Seiko Experience Engineering and Design, symbolizing a place where visitors can experience the various joys of watches brought to life through engineering and design. To fulfill this vision, the gallery has held 10 exhibitions to date, each exploring the intersection of technology and design. Through these exhibitions, Seiko Seed has embodied the Seiko Group’s slogan—“SEIKO: Moving ahead. Touching hearts.”
Revealing the inner workings of a watch in a captivating and elegant way
One of the exhibitions, Forest of Mechanisms, explored the beauty and intrigue that extend beyond the fundamental function of a watch, which is to tell time. A watch may be considered the most familiar machine to people, yet its intricate inner components often remain unseen. In this exhibition, these small hidden parts were brought to the forefront, allowing visitors to experience the graceful movement of the hands and the soothing sounds of nature. Through this, we conveyed not only the fascinating mechanisms of watches but also the enduring legacy of clockwork technology, refined over generations. At the same time, visitors were invited to appreciate the passage of time and its ever-changing expressions—an experience they may not have noticed before.
The revival of a historic project: A modern interpretation
Seiko Seed also made it possible to revive the power design project, a visionary initiative that originally ran from 2001 to 2009. This project allowed Seiko Watch Corporation’s designers to step beyond their daily work, deeply explore the future of the brand, and present their creative output in a fresh, unconventional style. The first event following its revival was Rebirth, which reimagined iconic Seiko products and technologies, transforming them into modern timepieces. This was followed by the Incredibly Specialized Watches Exhibition and its sequel, both of which introduced specialized watches designed with a specific user in mind. These exhibitions drew significant attention, attracting many visitors and sparking conversations in the media.
Presenting the Seiko Watch Corporation of today from a fresh perspective
Additionally, we planned and hosted exhibitions that showcased the current state of Seiko Watch Corporation from various perspectives. Ten-chan’s Hairspring exhibition introduced the charm of mechanical watches through a playful cat character, while Find 5 Styles used vibrant illustrations to highlight the distinct styles of the Seiko 5 Sports line. The LUKIA Garden exhibition combined flowers and light to capture the elegance of the Seiko LUKIA brand, and Super Warrior King Seiko took a unique approach, passionately and playfully depicting the story of King Seiko through manga. Through these exhibitions, we aimed to present the functionality of Seiko watches and the essence of the brand in an unconventional and engaging way, allowing visitors to enjoy learning about them.
Continuing to create exciting watch experiences in the future
Although Seiko Seed will close as a permanent gallery, our creative activities will continue in a new location. Over the past three years, we have collaborated with many creators and industry professionals, uncovering new insights and fresh surprises along the way. Through workshops, we have also gained a deeper understanding of our fans’ interests and needs. Building on these experiences, we will continue exploring the possibilities of watches and delivering exciting experiences for everyone.
Seiko Seed Exhibition History (A Total of 10 Events)
Exhibition Period: October 20 – November 20, 2022
This exhibition revealed the intricate inner workings of watches, offering a rare opportunity to appreciate the mechanisms behind the movement of the hands and the structures that produce sound—elements usually hidden from view.
Exhibition Period: October 13 – December 24, 2023
The art of mechanical technology has continued to evolve to this day. By utilizing this technology, the exhibition highlighted the beauty and fascination of mechanisms beyond the fundamental function of timekeeping.
Exhibition Period: October 11 – December 8, 2024
Creators from the fields of art and engineering design crafted works inspired by the precise movements of mechanical watches. Drawing on their expertise, they explored the intricate beauty of timekeeping through their unique perspectives.
Exhibition Period: December 21, 2022 – February 19, 2023
Eight designers expanded their ideas and imaginations, reincarnating distinctive timepieces and technologies from Seiko’s rich history into seven innovative creations.
Exhibition Period: January 19 – March 31, 2024
A new exploration of Seiko Watch Corporation’s heritage of “specialized watches.” This exhibition presented seven uniquely crafted timepieces, each designed with an intense focus on a specific theme. Created by designers who pursued their passions to the utmost, these watches embodied personal stories and deep dedication.
Exhibition Period: December 20, 2024 – February 16, 2025
With a specific target in mind—including fictional characters—the designers explored every possibility of watches. Through careful consideration of their chosen subjects, they created six unique timepieces, each embodying a distinct theme and narrative.
Exhibition Period: March 17 – June 18, 2023
This exhibition explored the inner workings of a mechanical watch through the story of Ten-chan, a character named after the tenpu, or balance, one of the most important parts of a mechanical watch, and the hairspring, which is the subject of the story.
Exhibition Period: July 7 – September 24, 2023
In celebration of Seiko 5 Sports’ 55th anniversary, this exhibition invited visitors to explore its enduring appeal. Centered around the theme of Find, the venue offered interactive experiences that encouraged a deeper connection with the timepiece.
Exhibition Period: April 17 – July 6, 2024
This exhibition brought the world of Seiko LUKIA to life through immersive displays that engaged the senses with fragrance, light, and music. Focusing on the LUKIA Grow collection, it highlighted flowers as a key design motif and light as a tribute to solar-powered watches.
Exhibition Period: July 19 – September 23, 2024
Since the 1960s, when King Seiko was born, hero manga has been a cultural phenomenon that has significantly influenced Japanese society. This exhibition vividly portrayed the story of King Seiko, infusing it with the dynamic energy and excitement of hero manga while also blending in passion and fun.