Cover The Grand Seiko mono-salon (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
The Grand Seiko mono-salon (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
1 / 1
Within this space, Grand Seiko offers an intimate encounter of the brand’s Japanese heritage and masterful craftsmanship
Hearing the story behind one’s first-ever watch is always fascinating. In a conversation with two Grand Seiko executives—Munehisa Shibasaki, director and senior vice president of its global division, and Ida Idris-Low, managing director of Grand Seiko Asia-Pacific—it was a delightful surprise that both their firsts had been a Japan-made watch from when they were children. Like a stroke of serendipity, their journeys in the watchmaking industry and toward the captivating world of Grand Seiko began there.
The two were in Manila for the opening of the brand’s first mono-salon within The Watch House in Bonifacio Global City, finding a formidable partner in the Philippines’ Lucerne Group to operate the standalone boutique and serve its judicious clientele.
See also: A guide to Japan for watch enthusiasts
Idris-Low spoke highly of this partnership, noting the homegrown retailer’s decades-long distribution of Seiko. “[Lucerne] deeply understands the brand, the company and the audience. They have a database of Seiko aficionados, and these are the people who also follow us and upgrade to Grand Seiko,” she remarks. “We appreciate that we have a space here amongst all of the Swiss names, and it helps to bring attention to the brand and bring it to a certain level.”
Above Ribbon cutting at the Grand Seiko Mono-Salon, featuring Ivan Yao of Lucerne; Ida Idris-Low, Kinya Iwami, Munehisa Shibasaki of Grand Seiko; Mayor of Taguig Lani Cayetano; and Emerson Yao of Lucerne (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
Ribbon cutting at the Grand Seiko Mono-Salon, featuring Ivan Yao of Lucerne; Ida Idris-Low, Kinya Iwami, Munehisa Shibasaki of Grand Seiko; Mayor of Taguig Lani Cayetano; and Emerson Yao of Lucerne (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
1 / 1
With its innovative movements and collections on display, the mono-salon is an intimate place for enthusiasts to discover and indulge in what sets the watchmaker apart. The elegant space artfully weaves this in with its clean white walls, wood finishes and deep blue panels. It reflects the brand’s strong connection to Japanese culture and nature, as well as its distinguishable craftsmanship, technology and attention to detail.
Ahead of the opening, Shibasaki and Idris-Low sat down with Tatler GMT to tell us more:
Above Ida Idris-Low and Munehisa Shibasaki (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
Ida Idris-Low and Munehisa Shibasaki (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
1 / 1
You developed an interest in watches at a young age. What eventually drew you to Grand Seiko and what sets it apart?
Munehisa Shibasaki (MS): Because Grand Seiko is uniquely made in Japan, it’s very consistent with the values of the Japanese people. Like many watch collectors, we pay close attention to detail and, in Grand Seiko watches, each part, no matter how small, is softly carved and well-finished.
Ida Idris-Low (II): For me, it’s the technology in Japanese watchmaking. I’ve cut my teeth over 20 years in watches and jewellery, so I’ve seen the best of European watches as well, but I’ve always admired Seiko watches. I continued to follow [the brand] and discovered Grand Seiko. When you look at the finishing, quality, innovation and inspiration, there’s no turning back. It’s a magnificent brand different from anything else I’ve encountered before.
Above Inside the Mono-Salon (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
Above Clients can sit with the sales associate to touch and feel Grand Seiko's gorgeous timepieces (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
Inside the Mono-Salon (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
1 / 2
What excites you most about the mono-salon, and how do you plan to engage your audience with this new location?
MS: The Philippines is an important country and market for Grand Seiko because of the growing population and economy. There are many existing fans of Grand Seiko and Seiko here. This is very similar to the United States, where we have had much success in the last five years. Establishing this base in Manila will help us reach more markets directly.
II: I echo what Shiba-san said a hundred per cent. We know that our audience here goes all over the world to buy our watches, so it was time for us to give them a space back home to find out and experience more of the Grand Seiko universe.
Read more: Asia’s love affair with beautiful watches thrives, thanks to these leading luxury watch retailers
Above Among the launches in September, the Grand Seiko SLGA025 'Atera Blue' features a vivid dial, gorgeous finishing, and the spring drive movement (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
Among the launches in September, the Grand Seiko SLGA025 'Atera Blue' features a vivid dial, gorgeous finishing, and the spring drive movement (Photo: Courtesy of Lucerne Group)
1 / 1
How do you envision this audience? Leveraging this, what are your goals for Grand Seiko in the Asia-Pacific region?
MS: Grand Seiko is still young compared to other Swiss brands, so there is a need to increase recognition. [At the same time] there is a growing understanding of the value of our watches because of social media. So we’re seeing more of the younger generation get to know the brand. This lounge-style space invites them to do so comfortably and casually.
II: It’s true. The younger guys come in and they’re well-researched. They already know what they like. So [when they visit the store] it’s really to touch and feel, as well as understand the mechanism a little deeper. We have three kinds of movements: the 9F which is a quartz, the 9S which is the mechanical and the 9R which is the Spring Drive. These are all distinct movements, so this is our chance to show and share what makes each one unique.
We have a growing market of millennials and Gen Z who don’t just buy watches for the sake of brands anymore. They look at watches as something that is emotionally connected. So we open stores like this and make sure that our philosophies and DNA are transmitted clearly across the Asia-Pacific. We partner with great retailers like Lucerne to bring it closer to audiences beyond Japan. This is our challenge and direction moving forward—to grow our customer base and the love for the brand across the region.
NOW READ
First look: Patek Philippe unveils the all-new Cubitus collection
Panerai’s submersible watches and more novelties from Watches and Wonders 2024 now available
Topics
Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
