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Excerpts from the interview with Yoshikatsu Kawada, Director and Senior Vice President of Grand Seiko at Watches & Wonders Geneva; Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022 marks the beginning of a new era
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Interviews
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Excerpts from the interview with Yoshikatsu Kawada, Director and Senior Vice President of Grand Seiko at Watches & Wonders Geneva
“Our winning the men’s category prize for Grand Seiko means our unique technology in making mechanical watches are recognized by our friends in Switzerland”.
Excerpts from the interview with Yoshikatsu Kawada, Director and Senior Vice President of Grand Seiko at Watches & Wonders Geneva.
What does Grand Seiko bring to the Watches & Wonders 2022?
We are much honored to be here as an Asian brand. It’s the first time for Asian a non-Swiss brand to be presented here in the luxury brand class. You’ve heard of the new development about the Kodo - it’s a mechanical complication watch. We are more focused on the high luxury segment, with a totally different high jewellery watch characteristic of the white lion. It is a very complicated technological piece combining a constant-force and a tourbillon as one unit on a single axis. We have worked very hard to develop two particular masterpiece to be presented here at Watches & Wonders.
How do you define the luxury Grand Seiko code? Also how do you define the luxury of fine watchmaking in terms of philosophy and approach?
Like many other companies with a long history, our company was established in 1881, founded by Kintaro Hattori who is the great grandfather of the current CEO. It is unique to have such imagination by generations of the family. We have instilled the founder’s motto and philosophy which is accuracy, legibility, beauty and durability in our brand vision. I can show you - I know you are familiar with Kintaro Hattori – this is what he was saying about evolution always being the advance step over the rest. Quality and worthiness always get the customer’s patronage. We developed the Grand Seiko in 1960 and we put this belief in our ultimate product. To answer part of your question as to how we define luxury in Grand Seiko… we are unique not only in producing a superb product but our Japanese origin is unique and we are 100% integrated as a manufacturer. We put the Japanese touch and the ethos of how we consider time in Japan – all these spiritual things we put into the product.
You mentioned the code of constant force-tourbillon which is a piece of art and ultrafine watchmaking. Is this statement an ongoing development?
During the Watches & Wonders show I have presented the development of Grand Seiko in this area. So, in Tokyo in Wako Department, a landmark in the center of Ginza, we will develop a new studio, the Atelier Ginza. The Kodo was designed by an elite group of watchmakers and designers at the studio.
In 2014, Grand Seiko won the Hi-Beat award followed by last year’s Grand Seiko “evolution” at 2021 at the GPHG Geneva. What does this mean to Seiko as a player among all the big Swiss watchmakers?
We are honored that we are the winner of the men’s category prize for our product. It means our unique technology in making mechanical watches are recognized by our friends in Switzerland and so we are all the more proud of having this award for Grand Seiko.
Very few watch brands claim to have a dedicated watch “club” and Grand Seiko has a its own “club”. Also the brand has its own boutiques around the world. How do you support this Grand Seiko club and how do you communicate about it? Do you have a division and people that look after these collectors?
Very good question indeed. In Japan we have the GS9 club open to all Japanese customers. Why 9? All calibers used by Grand Seiko start with 9, 9S for the mechanicals series and 9R for the spring drive. So 9 is the symbolic number for Grand Seiko. That is why the club is named GS9. It was only available in Japan, however from last year, we decided to bring this GS9 club to the international market. For the Middle East market, we are about to launch GS9 later this year. Country wise, for example, we started last year in US, in Europe we are going to introduce it from this year depending on the country. This is a kind of syndicate for the Grand Seiko loyal customers to get to know what is going on with the brand. As part of the benefits of being a GS9 club member, maybe we will invite them to visit our factory, once the pandemic situation is over.
That brings us to the Middle East, what are your plans for the Middle East in terms of Grand Seiko boutique?
The key market for the Middle East is of course Dubai. One of our dreams is to make the Grand Seiko boutique in Dubai a reality in the coming years. We are seriously working on this.
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Market News
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Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022 marks the beginning of a new era
By bringing the main players in the watchmaking industry together in one place, Watches and Wonders Geneva enables the industry to speak with one voice. For its first physical event under its new name, Watches and Wonders Geneva is set within a favorable context for the Swiss watchmaking industry. The 2022 salon produced strong results for the exhibiting Maisons, and occasionally exceeded all expectations, with some brands selling out of their new pieces before the event concluded. With nearly 22,000 unique visitors, including nearly 1,000 journalists who traveled to Geneva for the event, generating more than 30,000 overnight stays, this year's salon has ended on an extremely positive note. Thanks to the 38 exhibiting Maisons, including 19 newcomers, the salon was buzzing during a week of extraordinary dynamism. |
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Haute Jewels Geneva heralded as a huge success
Haute Jewels Geneva opened its doors on the 30th March at the Fairmont Grand Hotel Geneva, for a week long fine jewellery extravaganza. The event attracted many of the world’s top jewellery buyers and members of the press. Some brands reported orders that exceeded what they had achieved at Baselworld. After two challenging years where the jewellery industry has been unable to meet in person, the joy and excitement at reuniting was palpable. The event offered a variety of exquisite jewellery from the designers’ latest collections, featuring exceptional pearls, diamonds, gemstones and timepieces. Each exhibitor was invited as a top expert in their specific field, showcasing the best of what the jewellery industry has to offer. |
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Company News
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‘Chopard Loves Cinema’
An opportunity for Chopard to celebrate the 25th edition of its partnership with this major cinema event and to pursue its commitment to the seventh art, as well as its ongoing story as the ‘red carpet jeweller’. With this in mind, Caroline Scheufele has chosen to draw inspiration from cinema itself as well as from the films that have made a lasting impression on her for the Haute Joaillerie 2022 Red Carpet Collection presented in Cannes under the theme: 'Chopard Loves Cinema'. These three words express the Maison’s longstanding attachment to films with stories that unfold on the silver screen and arouse emotions. In addition, 2022 will see the Chopard ateliers craft all the trophies awarded at the closing ceremony, including the iconic Palme d'Or – which will be a special edition in tribute to the Festival’s 75th anniversary. With the Trophée Chopard, awarded to an up-and-coming actress and actor, the Maison will also continue to encourage and showcase young artists. |
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A. Lange & Söhne showcases its HANDWERKSKUNST collection in Venice
Highlighting the beauty of traditional finishing techniques, A. Lange & Söhne is participating in this year’s edition of the Homo Faber Event hosted by the Michelangelo Foundation from 10 April to 1 May 2022 in Venice. Selected for its exceptional expertise in the art of Glashütte fine watchmaking and its superb traditional craftsmanship, the German manufactory is presenting its HANDWERKSKUNST collection within the “Details: Genealogies of Ornament” exhibition. Focusing on the excellence of time-honoured master craftsmanship and its influence on contemporary arts and today’s world of design, the second edition of Homo Faber is taking place in the magnificent settings of the historic Fondazione Giorgio Cini on the Venetian Island of San Giorgio Maggiore. |
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Tiffany & Co.’s Brand Exhibition “Vision & Virtuosity” to arrive in London
Tiffany & Co. announced it is embarking on the next chapter of its “Vision & Virtuosity” exhibition, bringing over 400 objects from the House’s archives to London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery. A visual chronicle of the storied jeweler since its founding in New York City in 1837, “Vision & Virtuosity” takes visitors on a journey through everything from archival high jewelry designs, Tiffany’s famed window displays and its recently acquired Empire Diamond of over 80 carats to important relics of popular culture such as the original script from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It is a celebration of Tiffany’s authority as the purveyor of the world’s finest diamonds and a showcase of how two core values - vision and virtuosity - have guided the House for 185 years. Marking the jeweler’s 150th anniversary in London, “Vision & Virtuosity” debuts at Saatchi Gallery, located in the Duke of York’s Headquarters near Sloane Square, on June 10, 2022, and will run through August 19, 2022. |
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Nasser AlZayani as first winner of the Richard Mille Art Prize
Richard Mille and Louvre Abu Dhabi have presented Nasser Alzayani, winner of Abu Dhabi’s Art Here 2021 Exhibition. In an exclusive ceremony on March 10th, guest of honour and member of the Richard Mille family, Pharrell Williams awarded the Bahraini - American artist the 2021 Art Here Richard Mille Art Prize. The Richard Mille Art Prize ceremony reinforced the long-standing bond between Richard Mille and the art world, bringing together the region’s leading art collectors and connoisseurs. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, alongside Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille EMEA, Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi and Pharrell Williams were amongst the esteemed personalities on stage with the jury panel to award Nasser AlZayani. |
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Piaget brings the Piaget Design Competition to Alula for the second year
Piaget has recently announced, in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), HEAD – Genève (Geneva University of Art and Design) and Turquoise Mountain, the completion of the 2022 Piaget Design Competition Chapter 2 in AlUla. The Piaget Design Competition is an initiative created to support and invest in the artisanal talent of Saudi Arabia’s next generation of creatives. For the past ten years, Piaget has worked with HEAD – Genève on initiatives recognizing and fostering the creativity of students from around the world. This year; the students had to design a pendant, earrings, bracelet and a ring inspired by Al Ula’s unique landscape and heritage sites, while using Piaget’s expertise in jewellery design and craftsmanship. |
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Takamoto Katsuta becomes brand ambassador for Rebellion Timepieces
Takamoto Katsuta (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing), who is currently competing in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has been appointed as a brand ambassador of Rebellion Japan, the exclusive Japanese distributor of the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer "Rebellion Timepieces". Katsuta will begin full participation in the top category of WRC class in 2021 and is currently the only Japanese WRC driver. Katsuta, who continues to challenge and fight in the toughest environments around the world, and Rebellion’s which is also the official partner of Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN this year, its DNA, passion, and philosophy match and have led to his appointment as a brand ambassador.
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Product Launch
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Rolex presents Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II
Rolex unveiled a novel, unexpected version of the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II. On this watch, the crown and crown guard are on the left side of the watch case. The date aperture and the Cyclops lens have also moved and appear at 9 o’clock. This required several technical adjustments in terms of the movement and the Superlative Chronometer certification, for which the protocol, as well as some of the final tests, had to be adapted. Made from Oystersteel and fitted with an Oyster bracelet, this watch features a two-colour monobloc Cerachrom bezel insert in green and black ceramic – a colour pairing never before seen on this model. The new version of the GMT-Master II is equipped with calibre 3285, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the hours, minutes, seconds and date, as well as an additional time zone in 24-hour format. |
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Presenting SUPER MOON by Louis Moinet
This modern timepiece aims to combine the visionary talent of the inventor of the chronograph and high frequency with contemporary architectural work. The essential elements are outlined below. The dial depicts the first extra-terrestrial view of the Moon, as provided by Apollo 8 in 1968. The engraving results from hand-crafted hammering creating pleasing contrasts on the lunar surface. The finish features two light and dark tones resulting from light brushing performed after nickel-plating the dial. It has an opening between 8 o'clock and 12 o'clock, revealing each beat of its exclusive calibre including the escapement operating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations/hour, as well as the off-centre seconds hand. Everything is arranged to ensure that the eye loses nothing of intricate workings of this SUPER MOON watch. |
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Rock N'Wild Animals by Akillis
Akillis completes its jewellery tattoo art line with Animal Tattoo, a collection of 21 pendants inspired by terrestrial and marine wildlife depicted in ultra-graphic lines, rocking the traditional codes of bestiary creations. A great adventurer, Caroline Gaspard travelled far and wide in search of seven animals that embody the freedom she so cherishes. Felines - jaguars and lions -, plains zebras, desert oryx, koalas, hammerhead sharks and manta rays, all created in gleaming openwork. To express the character and personality of each animal, Akillis workshops opted for the exacting precision of a meticulously calibrated laser to cut Animal Tattoo pieces from a single sheet of metal. Caroline Gaspard chose monochrome white and black, and two-tone Black & White, magnified by a sparkling precious- stone gaze.
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Zenith inaugurates its “Master of Chronographs” Exhibition at Watches & Wonders 2022
During Watches & Wonders, where Zenith’s “Master of Chronographs” exhibition highlights its milestones and trajectory in becoming the preeminent manufacture and innovator of automatic chronographs, Zenith unveils the latest generation of the Chronomaster Open with a tri-colour dial that inventively reveals its high-frequency beating heart. Revisiting the iconic tri-colour dial configuration that debuted with the iconic A386 in 1969 and which remains a distinctive and instantly recognizable El Primero design element, the latest iteration of the Chronomaster Open retains it entirely with a transparent twist. Instead of cutting out the small seconds counter at 9 o’clock entirely as was the case with the previous versions of the Chronomaster Open, the three counter colours are retained thanks to a hesalite crystal element that serves as a readable sub-dial while allowing a view of the silicon star-shaped escape wheel. |
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Introducing Time Fast – Chrome Edition by L’Epée 1839
L’Epée 1839 continues its Time Fast legacy with the creation of two new limited editions in Chrome! They include the Silver Chrome Time Fast and the Gold Chrome Time Fast. The Time Fast is a vintage-inspired 1950’s F1 race car that is a kinetic sculpture and modern clock all in one. The Time Fast was designed in collaboration with Georg Foster, ECAL (Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne) and L’Epée 1839. The Time Fast features a number of eye-catching details from the 1950’s F1 era. They include the long protruding engine hood, the iconic radiator grill, the large spoked wheels, the rear driving seat positioning and the sloping tail section. Its overall sporty feel is reinforced by its elegant design, flawless finishes, fluid lines and these two newly created Body Chrome Color’s. |
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Celebrity News
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Dua Lipa shines in BVLGARI High Jewelry while presenting at the Grammys
Award-winning singer, Dua Lipa shines in Serpenti High Jewelry while presenting the award for Best New Artist at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. She stacked two iconic Serpenti High Jewelry bracelets which she paired with multiple High Jewelry rings and pair of High Jewelry Serpenti earrings.
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