Nationality: Japanese
Early training: Diploma in mechanical engineering, University of Tokyo
Watch industry: Technical director of project ‘Gojukyu-A’. President of Seiko Epson
Main achievements: Nakamura had proven his capability of developing a new and performing caliber with the creation of the ‘Marvel’ for Seiko Suwa in 1956. When it was decided to enter the development of a quartz wrist watch, Nakamura was the natural choice to lead the project starting 1959. He then gained considerable expertise in quartz regulating devices having taking part in the gradual miniaturisation, development and regulation of quartz marine chronometers to be entered at the observatory chronometer competition in Neuchâtel starting 1964 (1). Latter was made possible with the development of the ‘Crystal Chronometer’, developed in collaboration with Seiko Daini and destined to time the competitions at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic games.
With his exceptional organising skills he managed to get his team of engineers to develop wrist watch sized quartz calibers to be entered in the 1967 observatory chronometer competition and consequently to get the technology transfer made in record time for issuing the worlds first quartz wrist watch available for public use in December 1969 (1).
Picture credit: Plus 9 Time
Ref.:
Electric Watch Prototypes 