Seiko Instruments Inc. (SII), based in Chiba, Japan, will release the VAKIO series of watches in June 2003. The VAKIO will be the second watch series produced by Issey Miyake, following the Insetto series. The head of design is Harri Koskinen, the rising young Finnish industrial designer. In the Finnish language “vakio” means “constant, standard.” The VAKIO’s innovative design concept is based on northern European industrial design with an orientation toward “visual beauty in a design you will love forever” and incorporates Koskinen’s uniquely creative touch.
Harri Koskinen is the designer of the famous Block Lamp, which is in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. He has been involved with numerous products as an industrial designer and is one of the hottest young designers in the world today. This is his first watch design.
The VAKIO will be unveiled at the 2003 Basel Show (April 3-10, 2003, Switzerland) at the Issey Miyake corner of the SII booth. The VAKIO will offer a new, modern sensibility in the design spirit of Issey Miyake.
[About the Designer]
Harri Koskinen
Industrial designer from Finland. His “Block Lamp,” entered in the 1998 Salone Satellite furniture fair in Milano, was selected for the New York Modern Museum of Art’s permanent collection. Since then it has won many additional design awards, attracting worldwide attention to his work. In the same year he became an exclusive designer for the leading Finnish tableware maker iitala, and also designed products for Arabia and Hackman. He brings substantive design to everyday objects. His creative concept is a high functionality and visual appeal aimed at enhancing living. In 2000 he established his own design company, Friends of Industry Ltd., and has been expanding his work through clients primarily in Europe and the United States.
[Goods & Specification]
1. Single, Three Models
| Ref No | SRP | Material(Case/Band) | Dial Color |
| SILAH013 | US$350 | Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel | White |
| SILAH014 | US$300 | Stainless Steel / Urethan (Black) | Black |
| SILAH015 | US$300 | Stainless Steel / Urethan (Gray) | Gray |
Fanction: Indication (Hour, Minute, Second)
Accuracy: ±20sec/month
Battery Life: 3years
Water Resistance: 5bar
2. Twin, Three Models
| Ref No | SRP | Material(Case/Band) | Dial Color |
| SILAI016 | US$450 | Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel | White |
| SILAI017 | US$450 | Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel | Black |
| SILAI018 | US$400 | Stainless Steel / Urethan (Black) | Black |
Fanction: Dual Indication
Accuracy: ±20sec/month
Battery Life: 3years
Water Resistance: 5bar
3. Chronograph, Two Models
| Ref No | SRP | Material(Case/Band) | Dial Color |
| SILAJ019 | US$520 | Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel | Black |
| SILAJ020 | US$480 | Stainless Steel / Urethan (Black) | Black |
Fanction: Indication (Hour, Minute, Second), with 24hour Hand, Date, Chronograph (60minute meter)
Accuracy: ±20sec/month
Battery Life: 2years
Water Resistance: 5bar
Contact Information
Seiko Instruments Inc.
Corporate Strategy
Corporate Communications Dept.
Kano
Fax:+81-43-211-8011
E-mail:pr@sii.co.jp