Seiko at Astronomical Observatory Chronometer competitions - or - How the Swiss lost their honor

A special thank you goes to WatchesbySJX and plus9time for not only supplying the pictures but also the vast knowledge on the subject. Here are links to their VERY detailed articles about it:

http://watchesbysjx.com/2013/06/explaining-seikos-legendary-history-in-swiss-chronometer-trials-with-live-pictures-of-its-landmark-astronomical-observatory-chronometer.html

https://www.plus9time.com/seiko-the-neuchtel-chronometer-competition

Seiko museum article about the competitions:
https://museum.seiko.co.jp/en/history/milestone/contest/

Today a video about a very interesting part of horological history that might change the way you look at Seiko.
When Seiko entered the Astronomical Observatory Chronometer competitions at Neuchatel for the first time their results were devastatingly bad, but that didn't discourage them and they kept getting back every year all the way until 1968. when they simply demolished the Swiss. unfortunately the swiss canceled the competition while it was being held so Seiko entered another one held in Geneva and their they would have won if the swiss didn't bring quartz movements.

So not only did Seiko beat the swiss at their own game, but it made them cheat and cancel the competitions as they didn't want Seiko to be recorded as the winner in the history books.
With that move the swiss brought shame to their competitions and achieved the opposite effect.
Unfortunately not many people know the whole story as Seiko seems to be too dignified to use it in their marketing. Most Seiko fanboys, me included, LOVE this part of Seiko history as it was Seiko at its best.
We'll cover everything chronologically and include movements that went up to 180.000 bph, yup you read it right :)
Enjoy!!

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Видео Seiko at Astronomical Observatory Chronometer competitions - or - How the Swiss lost their honor канала Watch Geek