Seiko Watch launches Regatta in Mumbai

Since being established in 1881, Seiko has contributed to society with one revolutionary product after another - starting with the production of Japan’s first wristwatch in 1913 and including the creation of the world’s first quartz watch in 1969.

Seiko has also been the official timekeeper at many international sporting events since the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. In 2001 Seiko become an independent company. Let's see what Seiko Watch Corporation does today.

SEIKO Watch Corporation Press Release:

SEIKO Watch Corporation, the leading global watch maker announced the launch of the Sailing season opener “ Regatta” in India under the burgees of Sea Cadet Sailing and supported by the Yachting Association of India, Indian Navy and the Indian Army and other reputed Sailing Clubs in India.

The Yachting Championship is scheduled on October 6, 2007. The race will take off from the Training Ship Jawahar in Colaba, Mumbai.

The Seiko Velatura YAI season opening Regatta will feature India’s leading sailors competing in the race in Mumbai. This will be one of the largest ‘Regatta’ in the history of India with over 100 boats and over 250 sailors participating in the race.

The sailors range from top junior sailors in India to past and current Asian Games and Olympic sailors. This occasion will also mark the launch of Seiko’s latest Sailing watch collection in India.

There would be a wide range of classes of boats that would be participating for the Seiko Velatura YAI Season Opening Regatta. These would be Optimist (juniors), 420, 470, J24, Enterprize, Seabird, Lightning, Hobie, Lasers, Windsurfer, Unclassified big boats & an exclusive 49er class boat.

Announcing Seiko India’s foray into sports like Sailing, Mr Atsushi Kaneko, Managing Director, Seiko Watch India said, “Internationally Seiko has always been closely associated with sports and have been official timekeepers in various Olympics and Football World Cups."

"Just recently, Seiko was the official timekeeper to the World Atheletics Championship. Seiko is also closely associated with sports like Formula 1 and Sailing, for the various range of watches suitable for the specific sport."

"In India, this is our first step to enter sports by getting associated with the Yachting Association of India for the ‘Seiko Velatura YAI Season Opening Regatta’. It’s a great pleasure indeed, for SEIKO to be able to foster and encourage the great sport of sailing and yacht racing in this country”.
Adding to this, Mr Niladri Mazumdar, Head – Sales & Marketing, Seiko Watch India said, “Seiko as a watch has always been known for it’s ‘classy active’ look which embodies precision, hi-end technology for split second accuracy with a range of new distinctive styles."

"Seiko is a brand of substance, and when we link up with a Sport, our watches are not just inspired by the Sport but associated with it."

"Our watches are designed and manufactured keeping in mind the major demands of such high quality performance sports, but on top of this we have the actual Sailors and Formula 1 racers involved in the critical design process."

"SEIKO is the worldwide sponsor of 49er class sailing, a fast growing Olympic sailing class that is capturing the imagination of sailors all over the world. Our association with the sport of Sailing in India, is in tune with Seiko’s Global Strategy”.

Hony Secretary General of YAI, Captain Ravi Nadkarni said, “Sailing a 49er class or any other racing yacht is a precision skill in which every wave, every gust of wind and every second is of vital importance to gain speed and time."

"This is most important for the precise preparation at the start of a race and during the course of the race to meet the trying conditions of the ocean. We hope Seiko’s association with the Season Opening Regatta will bring in that skill for our sailors to be able to achieve excellence and explore the international sport arena."

"We are delighted that a brand like Seiko is supporting and promoting sailing which we believe has the potential to become one of the prominent sports in India”.

Seiko is proud to be hosting the Regatta under the burgee of Sea Cadet – Sailing, which promotes the sport of sailing amongst the Indian youth.

The demands of this Sport helps build character and provides the youth a rare opportunity to take to the seas and enjoy the thrills of this magnificent sport, which could become a part of the yearly calendar owned by Seiko.

Source: SEIKO Watch Corporation