Seiko and Giugiaro: A History of Collaborations

In this video, we take a trip back in time to explore the collaborative designs of Giugiaro and Seiko. Giugiaro’s ventures beyond cars began with a successful partnership with Nikon in 1980 with F3 and “red line” accents, broadening out into consumer products like pasta, clothing lines, sewing machines, and Parker pens. In 1983, the Seiko watch link-up arose, with the first design being the analog options using the A728, which was used in the world's first quartz chronograph. Giugiaro's “folded paper” touch was added to proceedings, resulting in the amazing 1983 Seiko Sports Giugiaro Design range. The SAY-048 - later called “The Bishop” watch screams Giugiaro with its asymmetric design and racing link, while the SAY-058 “Ripley” watch in black with yellow pushers has influences from the Omega Seamaster 600 Ploprof.
The first batch of watches included the SBA022 Speed Master LCD models in two color ways, famously worn by Ayrton Senna, as well as the SBB018 worn by the prince of Monaco at the Paris-Dakar rally. We then explore the second wave of collaborations in 1986, with Seiko diversifying into sporty elegance and ocean diving watches, as well as the morotcycling and crazy “steering wheel” watches. The third phase covers the macchina sportiva range in 1996 - with links to Ital Designs BMW C2 Nazca, with the final phase being the variety of colourful re-issues and limited editions of the above - with a couple of new entrant with the Seiko Astron range. I hope you enjoy the video!
Huge thanks to subscriber Manus Verzoni for giving me the idea to do this video!
Early watch influences : 0:26
Car design and Giugiaro emergence: 3:00
Seiko X Giugiaro 1st wave: 5:56
Seiko X Giugiaro 2nd wave: 9:58
Seiko X Giugiaro 3rd wave: 12:45
Re-releases and modern range: 14:58

[@IlluminatingWatches]

If you liked this video, I think you would enjoy my video on driving digital watches -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZSYdaWEoMiXqNE

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Wait wait wait.... Guigario did the MK1 golf? That's incredible! The man was wild! Look at all the cool stuff he had a hand in! That is quite the legacy...

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Cool right?! Learned a lot about car design!

[@johanvandersandt8904]

@@IlluminatingWatches Incredible effort man! Well done!

[@Mofapilot]

He also designed the Fiat Panda, VW Passat, DeLorean 12

[@therandomcarguy77]

Italdesign Giugiaro, mate

[@Agrippa31BC]

⁠@@MofapilotI remember my dad’s old Passat from my childhood, which previously belonged to my grandpa. Never knew it was done by Giugiaro.

[@lucianom3585]

Super interesting video for those interested in design history! Thanks!!!

[@iandavidson99]

Brill !!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Cheers man!

[@mitchmitchell9588]

Another brilliant video. BTW, Giugiaro had a cult status in Japan from the very earliest stages of his career. Not many people remember the automaker ISUZU but, back in the late 1960s, the hired a very young Giugiaro to design the 117 Coupe. It looks very classically Italian, maybe reminiscent of a Fiat Dino. Later on, Giugiaro designed the Isuzu Piazza, which had that funky steering wheel with the strange controls and a Lotus suspension. We called it Isuzu Impulse here in the States. The clean lines of both these cars stand the test of time. Check them out!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

I’ve got an amazing book that covers most of these called “genius of design”. Lots more information around his car design than I could justify putting in the video. There are also a great series of interviews with him on the ital design KZbin channel

[@mitchmitchell9588]

@@IlluminatingWatches He has a fascinating career! I did not know about the Apple connection, which you mentioned in the video. You are killing it on these videos. Enjoying them a lot. Keep going!

[@Mr.Reality3000]

Another interesting video thanks :)

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thankyou!

[@BeastyRicky]

11:17 love this watch. My fav of his designs

[@IlluminatingWatches]

I think it might be my favourite of his designs too. Love the steering wheel

[@zornikzornuk3187]

Great video, I was septic at first but now I really start to appreciate this asymmetric Giugiaro design. My pick will be the last Bisho range at 15:13. Thanks for sharing

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Glad I’ve managed to help provide a new perspective !

[@monsterquinn30]

❤❤❤

[@MyRetroWatches]

Another excellent lessen taught! The detailed research must have taken you so long. It’s appreciated though in the end result.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thankyou! It’s just a hobby for me. I love chipping away at it over a while and just take my time. Great way to learn about all sorts of stuff - never thought I would get into car design but here we are!!

[@PA-zu1ud]

Awesome content!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thankyou very much ! I’m glad you enjoyed ! More on the way

[@TimeToGoTravelAndTimepieces]

Amazing work with this one. Well done 👍👍

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Really appreciated Thankyou!

[@kevincoon8573]

Thank you!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

A pleasure - hope you enjoy!!

[@jonfesmith7993]

Excellent video, I love the more offbeat watches from Seiko.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Me too! Lots of variety when you dig below the surface

[@_zzpza]

Fascinating, I had no idea there were so many different models they collaborated on. N.B. I think you had a recurring typo, the Seiko movement is the 7A28, not the A728.

[@Dynamics_Watch_Reviews]

Brilliant content, thank you

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Very glad you enjoyed!!

[@zillsburyy1]

nice video govna. wow, so much info in one video! i feel like SHORT CIRCUIT "more input!"

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Love short circuit! Yes I do slightly overload the facts into the videos - just my style!!

[@jamesblonde2271]

I've confused Tallon and Guigaro myself, long assumed the Lip chronos were his......he really was as important as Genta imho, and a much more versatile talent.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Any man that designs both pasta and Lamborghinis is the best in my book! I love the lip designer collaborations and their story more generally. Surprised you didn’t mention my little Cosmo phase reference I put in there just for you!

[@jamesblonde2271]

@@IlluminatingWatches 😖 You are obsessed with that bloody Cosmo, also I now find that I can't buy the Ripley re issue because it has that slightly shitty movement so in one pass you've upped my Seiko Savings and loan target from £600ish to £3+ grand, for an original in the correct colour.........cheers

[@IlluminatingWatches]

@@jamesblonde2271 ha ha ha always a pleasure ;)

[@manusverzoni2384]

Great video! I liked a lot the Alba Duck.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Yes it’s cool! Thanks again for the video idea!

[@manusverzoni2384]

@@IlluminatingWatches by the way being Italian I didn't know about the pasta...

[@DisplayKeesBack]

Great again, real documentary stuff! I would love a asymmetrical watch! Does somebody has a great budget friendly suggestion?

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thanks very much! Few giugiaro videos around but hadn’t seen a more comprehensive (ish) one. Thanks to Manus Verzoni on the community tab for the idea

[@SaSpursFan]

SUBBED

[@zillsburyy1]

i want that seiko riders chronograph!!!!!!!!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Cool right?? Reckon you should be able to get one on eBay. Likely from Japan though

[@zillsburyy1]

@@IlluminatingWatches just ordered it on there from Japan

[@IlluminatingWatches]

@@zillsburyy1 Niiiiiiiice!

[@shadowskywalker1545]

The re-releases now or like $1000 is there anyway I can find these reissues for not a rip off anyone has any information I’d appreciate it.

[@ericb8888]

;)

[@premsubrahmanyam2994]

7A28. Not A728.