JDM Seiko marvel hand wind 17 jewels 1956

Marvel

In 1956 Seiko introduced the Marvel, a mechanical watch for men created from proprietary Seiko technology through the introduction of a new design policy and production equipment and technology targeting the qualities of an ideal wristwatch: beauty, high durability, and high accuracy.

The Marvel swept away rival timepieces and dominated in a major competition in the watch industry (Council for Quality Inspection of the Japan-made Watch: hosted by the former Ministry of International Trade and Industry). It also overtook products from Switzerland and other countries by winning first place in the men’s wristwatch category in a watch competition hosted by the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (Japanese branch). The Marvel was acclaimed as an 'amazing timepiece' and a guy with intelligence and health', dispelling the prevailing stereotype that Japanese watches were inaccurate and breakable.

At the same time, the Marvel heightened Seiko’s confidence as a watch maker and fueled its determination to compete with Swiss watchmakers and “do what it believes is right.”