“Seiko Seiko Wallet…Ang wallet na maswerte”. If this line from a jingle is familiar to you chances are you’re one of the many including me whose idea of a Seiko is a lucky wallet (“maswerte” means lucky in Filipino). What I recently realized is that the Seiko brand is really known for amazing timepieces.

A few weeks ago I got my first Seiko (a gift), the SRP773 or more popularly known as the “Turtle”.  The first thing that struck me was the weight of the watch. While gift wrapped, it didn’t even cross my mind that it could be a watch. My second reaction was it’s a Seiko?! I’m not a watch expert but having it on my wrist instantly removed any doubt that this watch is a winner.

When I got home I immediately fed my curiosity by researching about the watch and the brand. I found out that Seiko started in 1881, when a young Kintaro Hattori opened a shop selling and repairing watches and clocks in central Tokyo. Eleven years later, he established the ‘Seikosha’ factory and in 1895 he created the Timekeeper, his first pocket watch. But what set him apart was the creation of the ‘Laurel’ in 1913. It was the first wristwatch made in Japan.

The rich history has what made the brand a reliable and trusted watch maker. Today there are countless models categorized in 5 different collections. The “Artistic” Grand Seiko, the “High Tech” Astron, the “Durable” Prospex, the “Fine” Presage, and the “Elegant” Premier. These are worn by divers, pilots, racers, and professionals. One thing is for sure, there is a Seiko for any type of person for any kind of situation.

As I explored one web site to another, my fondness and respect for the brand intensified. The next time I see a Seiko, it will definitely earn a second look. And to the person who made that jingle, shame on you for making us believe that there is such a thing as a lucky wallet!