Seiko and Giugiaro: A History of Collaborations

In this video, we take a trip back in time to explore the collaborative designs of Giugiaro and Seiko. Giugiaro’s ventures beyond cars began with a successful partnership with Nikon in 1980 with F3 and “red line” accents, broadening out into consumer products like pasta, clothing lines, sewing machines, and Parker pens. In 1983, the Seiko watch link-up arose, with the first design being the analog options using the A728, which was used in the world's first quartz chronograph. Giugiaro's “folded paper” touch was added to proceedings, resulting in the amazing 1983 Seiko Sports Giugiaro Design range. The SAY-048 - later called “The Bishop” watch screams Giugiaro with its asymmetric design and racing link, while the SAY-058 “Ripley” watch in black with yellow pushers has influences from the Omega Seamaster 600 Ploprof.

The first batch of watches included the SBA022 Speed Master LCD models in two color ways, famously worn by Ayrton Senna, as well as the SBB018 worn by the prince of Monaco at the Paris-Dakar rally. We then explore the second wave of collaborations in 1986, with Seiko diversifying into sporty elegance and ocean diving watches, as well as the morotcycling and crazy “steering wheel” watches. The third phase covers the macchina sportiva range in 1996 - with links to Ital Designs BMW C2 Nazca, with the final phase being the variety of colourful re-issues and limited editions of the above - with a couple of new entrant with the Seiko Astron range. I hope you enjoy the video!

Huge thanks to subscriber Manus Verzoni for giving me the idea to do this video!

Early watch influences : 0:26
Car design and Giugiaro emergence: 3:00
Seiko X Giugiaro 1st wave: 5:56
Seiko X Giugiaro 2nd wave: 9:58
Seiko X Giugiaro 3rd wave: 12:45
Re-releases and modern range: 14:58

[johanvandersandt]

Wait wait wait.... Guigario did the MK1 golf? That's incredible! The man was wild! Look at all the cool stuff he had a hand in! That is quite the legacy...

[MyRetroWatches]

Another excellent lessen taught!
The detailed research must have taken you so long.
It’s appreciated though in the end result.

[mitchmitchell]

Another brilliant video. BTW, Giugiaro had a cult status in Japan from the very earliest stages of his career. Not many people remember the automaker ISUZU but, back in the late 1960s, the hired a very young Giugiaro to design the 117 Coupe. It looks very classically Italian, maybe reminiscent of a Fiat Dino. Later on, Giugiaro designed the Isuzu Piazza, which had that funky steering wheel with the strange controls and a Lotus suspension. We called it Isuzu Impulse here in the States. The clean lines of both these cars stand the test of time. Check them out!

[BeastyRicky]

11:17 love this watch. My fav of his designs

[TimeToGoTravelAndTimepieces]

Amazing work with this one. Well done 👍👍

[zornikzornuk]

Great video, I was septic at first but now I really start to appreciate this asymmetric Giugiaro design. My pick will be the last Bisho range at 15:13. Thanks for sharing

[manusverzoni]

Great video! I liked a lot the Alba Duck.

[jonfesmith]

Excellent video, I love the more offbeat watches from Seiko.

[handletoocomplicatedtochange]

Super interesting video for those interested in design history! Thanks!!!

[zillsburyy]

nice video govna. wow, so much info in one video! i feel like SHORT CIRCUIT "more input!"

[_zzpza]

Fascinating, I had no idea there were so many different models they collaborated on.

N.B. I think you had a recurring typo, the Seiko movement is the 7A28, not the A728.

[DisplayKeesBack]

Great again, real documentary stuff! I would love a asymmetrical watch! Does somebody has a great budget friendly suggestion?

[shadowskywalker]

The re-releases now or like $1000 is there anyway I can find these reissues for not a rip off anyone has any information I’d appreciate it.

[DADDY_DIGI_HOBBIES]

What about seiko Triathlete s600-500a/b/c/d/e, sports 150 s600-5010a/b, and the seiko Super Runners s640-4000

[jamesblonde]

I've confused Tallon and Guigaro myself, long assumed the Lip chronos were really was as important as Genta imho, and a much more versatile talent.