The Seiko Museum

11.The All-Conquering Landmaster Series

One of the most sought-after exhibits at the Seiko Museum in Tokyo is the stunning Landmaster series of limited edition sportswatches. Like F1 racers, these timepieces are test-beds of cutting-edge technology that must perform perfectly because human lives are often at stake.

Incidentally, one of the guides at the Seiko Museum was deeply involved in Landmaster development and is happy to explain how these timepieces evolved.

Seeking to Overcome Nature's Extremes

The creation of the Landmaster goes back several decades, when Seiko began looking into developing a watch that would remain durable and accurate under the most extreme environmental conditions, demonstrating the company's excellence. Seiko was particularly keen to work with individuals challenging the freezing temperatures of the North and South poles and climbers seeking to summit the world's highest mountains.

The conceptual starting point was a stainless steel casing that would house Seiko's Kinetic technology. There would never be a need to change the battery or open the casing.

Landmaster South Pole

Pursuing Partnerships for Innovation

But that was as far as things went until adventurer Mitsuro Oba contacted Seiko and asked the company to provide a timepiece that would be free of the polar magnetism that affected conventional watches. For readers unfamiliar with the illustrious career of Mr. Oba, he became the first person in the world to cross the Arctic and Antarctica alone.

Landmaster Mitsuro Oba’s Model

Mr. Oba's input was vital to the Landmaster's creation. The first thing was to replace the stainless steel casing with titanium to eliminate the risk of it sticking to the skin in freezing temperatures. Another design priority was to optimize watch face visibility under all conditions.

Thus began a series of partnerships that broadened the Landmaster range.

One of these efforts was with Japan's Ken Noguchi, who became the youngest person to climb the world's seven highest mountains, including Mount Everest.

Seiko worked with Mr. Noguchi to develop the special edition Landmaster Sagarmatha, a 1998 watch that features a titanium alloy case and ceramic bezel. Like the model made with Mr. Oba, this watch was also antimagnetic. At his request, Seiko removed minute markings on the dial because he knew that simple was best and safest, as extreme altitudes impair thinking.

Landmaster Sagarmatha

The Latest in the Line

Most recently, Seiko worked with Yuichiro Miura, the first man to ski down Mount Everest. When 70 and 80 years of age, he was the oldest man to summit that peak. Collaboration with him led to the Seiko Prospex Landmaster Miura Everest 2013, whose numerous special features include dual time zones. This timepiece employs Seiko's Spring Drive technology, which was used in the celebrated Seiko Spring Drive Spacewalk.

As long as people continue pursuing nature's challenges, the Landmaster series will be there for and with them, helping them to conquer all.