Something different - Seikosha/K. Hattori Music Box!

[bbilford83]

Hi all,

Per some of my previous threads, I often search Yahoo Japan for the phrase "K. Hattori" and the more obvious "Seikosha." They made all kinds of unexpected stuff back in the early days, and one such curveball made it through international shipping for me today. From the outside, it looks like a nice solid-wood box, in wonderful shape that is surprising for its age.



It's unlabelled on the top, but the inside has a neat metal Seikosha emblem (sort of art deco styled) that is nailed into the wood.



One side of the inside is much deeper than the other, because...



There is a music box in the shallower component that can be wound from the bottom! Also, a "K. Hattori" sticker.



Obviously you can read "K. Hattori" and "Tokyo Osaka" in English. According to Yahoo Japan, the kanji translates to "(store timekeeping clothes)." Well, I get the gist.



You can click here for a short video of it in action, playing loud and proud.

I fell in love with this and bid at it quite aggressively, but was pleased to win it for about $65 USD. I would guess it dates to around the 30s, but have never seen another like it and so have no real idea. As I usually do when I encounter something Seiko-related that is totally new to me, I emailed Anthony (akable) only to learn that I had outbid him for it - who knows what it would've sold for had we not both been interested. If anyone else has info, I'd welcome it; otherwise, I hope you enjoyed this rather quaint little piece of history too!

[HiBeat]

Let me get " wow that's wicked cool" in before Myles sees this thread.

[Paul]

Love it, well done on your purchase.

[phil]

That something really nice!

[nordlys]

Awesome find! You're absolutely right: You can find a ton on interesting stuff if you google the Japanese characters for Seikosha (精工舎). So many old clocks, pocketwatches, and other miscellaneous do-dads out there.

[pip]

That is another in your superb finds category! 

[bbilford83]

Thanks all. It's actually serving a legitimate and thematically-appropriate purpose as I filled it with all of my watch stuff that could genuinely be considered jewelry or accessories - tie clip watches, cuff link watches, belt buckle watches, etc. My pocket watch boxes were overfilled with those in the gap spaces, so I'm extra happy to have it!

[nordlys]

May 13, 2020 10:28:52 GMT -8 bbilford83 said:

Thanks all. It's actually serving a legitimate and thematically-appropriate purpose as I filled it with all of my watch stuff that could genuinely be considered jewelry or accessories - tie clip watches, cuff link watches, belt buckle watches, etc. My pocket watch boxes were overfilled with those in the gap spaces, so I'm extra happy to have it!

Pics of tie clip watches? Seems like they would be super cool as a conversation starter at a formal party or gathering.

[akable]

That looks great Brian, congratulations on the pickup. Looks to be a really well constructed box with nice inlaid finish. 

Good to see the video with the box working well. Have you unscrewed the top cover to take a look at the movement yet?


I was also planning on putting my Seiko tie clips and cuff links in the box.

If I had known it was going to go so cheaply I would have bid more aggressively, instead of just a placeholder to check back on the final price. Luckily it seemed like it was just the two of us interested so I am glad I did not bid it up for you.

[bbilford83]

May 14, 2020 14:31:59 GMT -8 akable said:

Good to see the video with the box working well. Have you unscrewed the top cover to take a look at the movement yet?

I hadn't even thought to do that, but given that it's obviously meant to be removed that way I gave it a shot.  Interestingly enough the mechanics appear to have been made by Sankyo, which wikipedia says was at one point making music boxes.  Pics below.

[bbilford83]

May 14, 2020 0:49:05 GMT -8 nordlys said:

May 13, 2020 10:28:52 GMT -8 bbilford83 said:

Thanks all. It's actually serving a legitimate and thematically-appropriate purpose as I filled it with all of my watch stuff that could genuinely be considered jewelry or accessories - tie clip watches, cuff link watches, belt buckle watches, etc. My pocket watch boxes were overfilled with those in the gap spaces, so I'm extra happy to have it!

Pics of tie clip watches? Seems like they would be super cool as a conversation starter at a formal party or gathering.

Sure. I have one each of Seiko and Citizen. Neither are anything special - they both just have small women's movements in them - but the Seiko is older and in sterling silver, so that's kind of neat.