Part I: Parts production

Feb 05, 2011,22:09 PM
 

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 of the watch. The only thing that goes into a watch Seiko doesn’t produce itself is the straps and movement lubricants.

 

At Shizukuishi, all the requisite equipment is present – CNC controlled milling, drilling and turning machines – and in huge numbers. There seem to be dozens of them.

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Above and below: Charts explaining the manufacturing processes for some parts

 



 



 

Some of the parts made here

 

There are also awesomely large hydraulic presses making tiny parts.

 



 



 



 



 

There really isn’t much to be said about the production capability here. Shizuikushi Watch Studio can make practically anything.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-02-05 22:30:42

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A visit to Seiko’s Shizukuishi Watch Studio

 
 By: SJX : February 5th, 2011-22:09
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

 
 By: SJX : February 5th, 2011-22:09
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

 
 By: SJX : February 5th, 2011-22:09
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

 
 By: SJX : February 5th, 2011-22:10
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...

Informative report, Thanks SJX. [nt]

 
 By: ling5hk : February 7th, 2011-22:56
No message body

Interesting...

 
 By: aaronm : February 14th, 2011-10:32
that they are using swiss testing machines. great report A

I don't have words...

 
 By: lukather1 : February 8th, 2014-13:44
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

 
 By: SJX : February 5th, 2011-22:10
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...

unbelievable Report.!! thanks a Million

 
 By: Tony A.H : February 12th, 2011-07:49
Tony

Part V: Inspection and testing

 
 By: SJX : February 5th, 2011-22:10
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 . . .

 
 By: Dr No : February 6th, 2011-00:39
. . . 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

Great report, thanks

 
 By: donizetti : February 6th, 2011-02:01
very impressive setup Seiko has there. Best Andreas

Thanks SJX,

 
 By: papillonwatchman : February 6th, 2011-02:43
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.

 
 By: VMM : February 6th, 2011-04:37
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.

 
 By: SethRL : February 6th, 2011-11:29
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...

 
 By: amanico : February 6th, 2011-11:37
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...

 
 By: BDLJ : February 6th, 2011-15:03
...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

 
 By: Richard C : February 6th, 2011-16:48
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...

 
 By: Echi : February 6th, 2011-20:17
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...

 
 By: KIH : February 6th, 2011-22:44
... 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...

Great Ken..

 
 By: lukather1 : February 8th, 2014-13:58
I quote all your words my friend. Regard. Max.

A great and wise man once wrote

 
 By: SJX : February 7th, 2011-04:20
" 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

 
 By: SethRL : February 7th, 2011-09:04
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

Fantastic post!!!

 
 By: gompie : February 6th, 2011-11:46
Thx for sharing that with us

Pretty cool!

 
 By: dxboon : February 6th, 2011-20:44
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!

 
 By: RobCH : February 7th, 2011-02:51
Thanks for sharing. Those movement assembly workbenches are beautiful!

Loved the radar charts for employee productivity performance!

 
 By: marcelo : February 7th, 2011-12:00
Would like to know which indicators they are measuring Great report, SJX! Thanks!!!

Benchmarks like productivity, defect rate etc. [nt]

 
 By: SJX : February 7th, 2011-18:45
No message body

Thanks, SJX :)

 
 By: marcelo : February 8th, 2011-03:54

Thanks for sharing...

 
 By: Rob : February 5th, 2011-23:20
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!

 
 By: InHavenPro : February 5th, 2011-23:44
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?

 
 By: MTF : February 6th, 2011-00:23
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...

 
 By: KIH : February 6th, 2011-06:28
... 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

 
 By: SJX : February 6th, 2011-07:10
Credor has more contemporary design while GS is strictly conservative. Prospex means "Professional Specification" or "Pro Specs". - SJX

Thanks Ken and SJX (nt)

 
 By: MTF : February 6th, 2011-09:23
nt

Great information!

 
 By: InHavenPro : February 6th, 2011-12:12
Thank you for posting, this is something that I didn't know previously! Filip

Thanks a lot for this superb report SJX !

 
 By: foversta : February 6th, 2011-00:30
I wish I could visit the Watch Studio one day but it is not very close to Paris... ;-) Fr.Xavier

May I join in? :)

 
 By: VMM : February 6th, 2011-04:34
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

Anytime I would be happy to take you two there :-) [nt]

 
 By: KIH : February 6th, 2011-07:12
No message body

Pulitzer incoming..

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : February 6th, 2011-00:32
excellent article...thank you for making me wear my old father's Seiko much more proudly Best Damjan

Thanks Damjan. But I think

 
 By: SJX : February 7th, 2011-04:21
the Pulitzer will probably go to the official PuristSPro report as described by MTF below. - SJX

Superb post SJX.

 
 By: fernando : February 6th, 2011-01:33
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...

Nice piece Fernando. Blue dials are quite uncommon for GS. [nt]

 
 By: SJX : February 6th, 2011-07:21
No message body

Superb Report SJX!

 
 By: i_am_Sam : February 6th, 2011-02:45
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...

 
 By: KIH : February 6th, 2011-03:41
... 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

 
 By: MTF : February 6th, 2011-09:22
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?

 
 By: KIH : February 6th, 2011-14:51
I'll see what I can find interesting Ken

My sensei used to say

 
 By: MTF : February 6th, 2011-16:33
"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

Hahaha...

 
 By: KIH : February 6th, 2011-16:38
... quite right. I will go there with fresh mind-set. Ken

Excellent reporting SJX

 
 By: Hororgasm : February 6th, 2011-04:41
Giving me an impetus to dig out my GS to wear tomorrow!! Best, Horo
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