IF YOU KNOW anything about athletics, you know the time: 9.58 seconds. You don’t know anything about athletics? Well, it’s Usain Bolt’s world record for the 100m, set at the World Athletics Championships back in 2009.
The feat was recorded on a Seiko Sports Timer, a tribute to which is a featured activation at the SEIKO BIRTH & REBIRTH exhibition showing in Sydney. I’m attempting to click the timer on 9.58 on the digital clock at the exhibition, a nervy ordeal that sees me hit 9.60 on my second attempt, which would have seen Bolt beat me by a nose hair.
The exhibition commemorates 100 years since Seiko introduced its first wristwatch with “Seiko” on the dial, signifying the beginning of the Seiko brand. To celebrate this historic milestone, Seiko is unveiling its first pop-up exhibition in Australia, providing visitors with an exclusive look at curated Seiko exhibitions and timepiece collections.
Image: Seiko Australia
These include original landmark watches and archival materials from the Seiko Museum Ginza in Tokyo, commemorating a number of world-firsts, such as the first quartz watch, the first solar watch and even the first TV watch, which dates back to 1984. Viewing the exhibition, it’s clear the company has managed to fulfil the edict of its founder to be, “Always one step ahead of the rest.”
The exhibition also features a “REBIRTH” section, showcasing modern reinterpretations that signify a revival of distinctive original designs as part of Seiko’s Power Design Project – an experimental initiative shaping the future of the iconic watch company. As part of this project, eight Seiko designers have developed their ideas and expanded their imaginations from original Seiko watches, channelling them into the rebirth of seven timepieces.
If you’re a horological disciple, this is an exploration into the past and future of an iconic company you won’t want to miss.
The SEIKO Birth & Rebirth Exhibition runs from Friday March 15 – Sunday March 24 at Shop 54, Mid City Centre,420 George Street, Sydney.
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