As many of you know horological histories always interest me and Seiko more than most.

This is the result of my research prompted by my ownership of a Seiko Lassale.

Seiko bought the small, high end Swiss watch company called Jean Lassale, founded in 1976 and specializing in ultra thin watches of about 3mm, with the worlds thinnest mechanical movements of only 1.2mm thick. However, Seiko did not acquire the rights to the original Lassale mechanical movements. Those ended up with the company who made the movements for Lassale, who now licensed them instead to Piaget.

Seiko fitted Jean Lassales with their own quartz movements already developed in 1977-1979 for their Credor line .

According to my reading of Seikos own journey in time they say Lassale was introduced in 1985 but my watch shows it was actually was bought out in 1981.

They were priced at about double the regular Seiko line at $375-$595, and carried a large profit margin for the company. Seiko would produce this new line entirely in Japan. Instead of the expensive hand-finished, jewelry-grade cases of Jean Lassale, this new line would use the cheaper plated base metal cases as on mine and mass-production techniques of regular Seikos, but they would be fitted with Seikos best movements, considered close rivals in quality to the Swiss.

They directed their designers to emulate the original Jean Lassale styles, and the line was launched, using the Seiko Quartz movements already developed in 1977-1979 for their successful Credor luxury line sold in Japan. With most cases measuring only 3-4mm (my one is approx 4mm in depth)

After a disappointing launch, Seiko tried unsuccessfully to position Lassale as a separate, more distinct brand from Seiko. They greatly expanded the range of styles in 1991, offering diamonds, faceted crystals, and even a line of solid gold cases with stainless steel backs. However, in a step backwards, they also retired their original assortment of higher-quality movements in favor of a small number of newer, thicker, jewel-less movements that were cheaper to make.

Notable among the Lassales, is a rare model sought after by collectors, the limited edition Centennial model, signed by the company President and founders grandson, Kentaro Hattori.

It was given to Seiko Dealers to commemorate Seikos 100 year anniversary, and was not available to the general public. It contained what many would say was Lassales best quartz movement, the 8-jewel Cal. 9300A, adjusted for temperature and here it is.. :wink: