Seiko has been making purpose-built watches for well over a century, with the company’s founding back in 1881.

They introduced the world’s first commercial quartz wristwatch in 1969, which kicked off an entire watch movement.

As part of the company’s long standing Power Design Project, employees are encouraged to explore what ways a watch can be reimagined, or rethought.

This year’s exploration takes the tagline: “watches that 99 per cent of people don’t need”.

The cheeky concepts explore niche designs that are meant for solely one purpose, like the perfect boiled egg, or a stealthy watch for ninjas.

Take a look at the fun concepts below. Via Dezeen.

Close-up of a Seiko automatic watch with a vibrant blue and green glowing dial and black leather strap.

A watch designed for DJs displays the hours of 6pm to 5am.

Close-up view of a black Seiko automatic watch with a glowing green dial and black strap.



Yu Hirose’s Watch for Girls in Love was informed by the playful act of pulling petals off daisies to determine whether one’s love is requited or not. 

A stylish watch with a gold frame, featuring a floral design on the dial and a white leather strap, placed on a pink background.

A watch designed for Santa Claus features a hand shaped like a reindeer

A two-sided vintage watch with a gold finish and a textured brown leather strap, featuring a white dial with black markings and a folding case.

Kiyotaka Sakai’s watch makes a full rotation in 12 minutes, designed for the perfect hard boiled egg time.

A close-up of a white Seiko timer watch with an orange dial, featuring markings for different cooking times, set against a bright yellow background. A finger is shown gently pressing a button on the watch.
A close-up of a Seiko watch with a white strap and a round face, featuring an orange gradient dial with clear hour markings, set against a bright yellow background.

The Vampire-Exclusive Watch displays the time between 6pm and 6am.

Close-up of a Seiko watch featuring a red patterned dial, Roman numerals, and a bezel adorned with red and clear crystals on a black textured leather strap.

The stealthy watch below is designed for Ninjas, with a discreet look and feel.

A black multi-functional watch with a clear magnifying lens lifted, showcasing the dial and markings.

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Author

Ben VanderVeen is the founder and editor of Moss & Fog, one of the web’s longest-running visual culture destinations. Since 2009, he’s been finding and framing the most beautiful, surprising, and thought-provoking work in art, architecture, design, and nature — reaching over 325,000 readers each month. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

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