The first Grand Seiko was released in 1960, it was based on Seiko's previous high-end watch, CROWN.

Long favored by astute watch collectors, Grand Seiko is one of a handful of watch companies to make virtually every single part of its watches in house. Prior to 1960, to challenge the status of Swiss watches and change the perception of Japanese watches, Daini Seikosha and Suwa began the discussion of a product line that can match the quality of Swiss watches under the suggestion of the parent company.