Excerpts for the interview:

Unfortunately in the given situation, we are not planning to hold any global event. However, we are studying the possibility of introducing our new products for 2020 region-wise or country-wise. 

We are celebrating this special year with two new movements - the Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours Caliber 9SA5 and the Spring Drive 5 Days Caliber 9RA5. Both calibers show the skills and experience Grand Seiko has gained over the past six decades. They are the best ever mechanical and spring drive calibers of Grand Seiko. Seiko lovers can also look forward to novelties from each collection to be released throughout the year. We also have two important announcements: the opening of Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, a whole new studio dedicated to assembling and adjusting mechanical Grand Seiko watches; and the opening of the first Grand Seiko Boutique in Place Vendome in Paris, which will be the largest Grand Seiko Boutique in the world.

To sum up, Grand Seiko’s 60 years is a journey in pursuit of the essentials for a watch, such as precision, legibility and beauty. Achievements started with the first Grand Seiko in 1960 whose precision met the highest international standards of the time. In 1969, we managed to create what we call V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) which delivers an astonishing monthly rate of +1 to -1 minute per month. In 2004, the first Grand Seiko equipped with our original Spring Drive automatic movement was released, realizing a power reserve of 72 hours. And this year, as we mentioned above, the two new generation calibers will take Grand Seiko forward into the future.

We started business with customers in the Middle East in the 1960s. Recently, we are trying to shift our main business from a moderate price range to a middle-high range where our technology and craftsmanship can be fully utilized. Thus, we are focusing on the promotion of Prospex, Presage and Astron. Besides, we started full-scale promotion of Grand Seiko in the Middle East region from 2019. For example, we started opening Seiko Boutiques, we are seriously working on the expansion or upgrade of Grand Seiko/SEIKO shops in the Middle East. However, although the awareness of Grand Seiko/SEIKO is still not very high in this region, we consider this market has a great potential to expand the business of Grand Seiko/SEIKO.

Since we held some events or participated in an exhibition such as Dubai Watch Week, we had much opportunity to exchange opinions with watch collectors in the Middle East region. We are really surprised that we received a really good response from watch collectors in this region. This year, Grand Seiko marks its 60th anniversary and Grand Seiko continues to have a high level of awareness in Japan. After the global launch of Grand Seiko, we gradually increased the awareness of Grand Seiko in Europe, America and other Asian countries. We are pleased that passionate fans of Grand Seiko are increasing among watch collectors in these areas. On the other hand, we have just started promotion of Grand Seiko in the Middle East; we will focus even more on activities to increase the number of passionate Grand Seiko fans in this region. 

To be honest, it is true that Grand Seiko is still a niche brand only for watch collectors in the Middle East region. We want to change that and make Grand Seiko brand to be loved by all watch collectors. Regarding flagship boutiques in the region, it is already in consideration and discussions are ongoing.

Dubai Watch Week had a great meaning because we could officially introduce the Grand Seiko brand and products to customers in the Middle East, especially in UAE. Although customers noticed the Grand Seiko brand through the website or SNS, it seems that it was the first time for them to try on a Grand Seiko watch. If we have an opportunity, we will certainly consider participating in other events or exhibitions in the other countries in the region.

We don’t deny the possibility. Last March, we released the LX line from Seiko Prospex developed in collaboration with Mr. Ken Okuyama, who is renowned for his work on the international scene, especially in the automobile industry. His creativity and insight can be seen throughout, including the way that light is reflected on the outer case, which is made possible by Zaratsu polishing.

Nowadays, more and more people, especially the younger generation, collects information from SNS, websites and other digital media. To approach this youth population, we have been activating SNS posts as well as live posts during the events. Product wise, Seiko 5 Sports’ special edition inspired by the ‘’Red Special’’ guitar of Queen’s guitarist Mr. Brian May has been much supported by them so far. He was kind enough to upload the watch onto his Instagram account, and we are happy to see all the comments and likes. At the same time, we consider it is also vital not to forget face-to-face contact with customers and the press. Our products, especially the luxury ones, are something that people can only understand when they touch and feel them and when they are demonstrated in person. This is why we are enhancing the Grand Seiko and Seiko Boutique network worldwide. 

We would prefer not to answer this question. Favorite collections differ from person to person and each has his or her own favorite choice.

For Grand Seiko, we hope to reach out to a wider public with our novelties from the Masterpiece, Heritage, Elegance and Sport collections with each collection’s distinguished designs and characteristics, every design reflecting unique Japanese aesthetics. For Seiko, we will continue offering unique products from Seiko’s three global product brands: Prospex, Presage and Astron. Prospex is our serious sport watch brand; Presage is a made-in-Japan brand featuring Japanese craftsmanship; Astron is the GPS Solar watch which can adjust to the local time wherever on earth.

Rolex close its production facilities in Geneva, Bienne, and Crissier for 10 days effective March 17. Rolex CEO, Jean-Frederic Dufour conveyed the company's plans in a letter to employees. The closure comes as businesses in many sectors across the globe are temporarily shuttering and encouraging employees to work from home if possible amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic.

In a recent move, Mouawad launched a new Bespoke section on their website Mouawad.com, where Mouawad invites the world to discover more about its heritage of exceptional artistry and passion for crafting the extraordinary exalted in Mouawad’s bespoke creations.
Mouawad Co-guardian Fred Mouawad commented, saying: “Mouawad has a renowned heritage in crafting the extraordinary, with our esteemed clients including royal families and international celebrities. Our Bespoke creations leverage this heritage of delivering exceptional creations crafted from precious metals and gems.”
Mouawad Co-guardian Alain Mouawad said, “Mouawad Bespoke is a process that begins with listening to our clients’ aspirations. We then develop a proposal and work closely from thereon to craft and deliver a unique work of art that surpasses each client’s expectations.”  
Upon delivery of the Mouawad Bespoke creation, the client is presented with a Certificate of Authenticity, giving detailed information on the gems and craftsmanship.
Mouawad Co-guardian Pascal Mouawad commented, “Mouawad has a tradition of procuring large and exceptional diamonds. As with all Mouawad creations, our bespoke pieces are made completely in-house, from the sourcing of gems through to craftsmanship and delivery”.
To discover Mouawad Bespoke, visit: www.mouawad.com

Alpina has announced the Italian skier Markus Eder, winner of the 2019 Freeride World Tour, as a new Alpina Watches ambassador, the latest member of the “Alpinists” team.  Considered a role model in the universe of freeride, Markus Eder is a 29-year-old skier from South Tyrol, Italy. Born on November 30, 1990, in Brunico, Markus Eder grew up skiing in Klausberg, an Italian small resort near the Austrian border. Having made his debut as a ski racer, he was bound to be attracted by the creativity and fun freestyle skiing had to offer and began to focus on this discipline in 2005.

Bucherer, the world's largest and most renowned watch retailer with more than 130 years of history and an extensive global presence, is now offering watch fans a completely new concept. As a measure of its commitment to the quality of the watches it sells, which are tested internally, Bucherer is offering its customers a specific certificate. This Bucherer guarantee promises that the Certificate Pre-Owned watch purchased by the customer is genuine and in perfect working condition. From now on, customers can browse and purchase Certified Pre-Owned watches online and in Bucherer's Parisian boutique.

TAG Heuer releases the third generation of its visionary Connected timepiece. The TAG Heuer Connected watch is a unique combination of the refinement and elegance of a chronograph-inspired timepiece crafted in the purest watchmaking tradition. It offers customers a striking and versatile wristwatch to enhance their individual lifestyle, from daily connected services offered from Wear OS by Google, to immersive sports experiences thanks to the new TAG Heuer Sports app. The experience on the wrist is complemented by a newly developed TAG Heuer mobile companion app that allows for even greater personalisation and insights into the wearer’s achievements.

The House of Breguet revisits the Classique models 7137 and 7337 – inspired by historic watches – with one of its specialties: traditional engine-turning. These new timepieces come in rose gold with a silvered gold dial and, on a more contemporary note, in white gold with a gold dial in “Breguet blue” color. An embossed moon on a starry sky adds a new dimension to the moon phase display. These 39 mm models are powered by an extra-thin 502.3 caliber with an engine-turned gold rotor.

To celebrate the Xtreme de Verbier’s 25th Anniversary in 2020, Alpina developed a safety package with the Freeride World Tour partners to include a Recco helmet rescue Reflector and a Black Diamond Guide BT Avalanche Beacon. The limited edition of 25 timepieces will be delivered in a dedicated gift box featuring a commemorative plate bearing the 25th Anniversary Xtreme Verbier logo and the limited edition number X/25 inscription. What’s more, each of these 25 watches are engraved with the limited edition number, from 1 to 25. Delivered with the AlpinerX Freeride World Tour Safety Package, the gift box also contains a RECCO helmet rescue reflector and a Black Diamond Guide BT Avalanche Beacon.

REPOSSI presents Serti Inversé as a harmonious complement to its iconic Serti sur Vide collection. Where Serti sur Vide’s diamonds float on the skin like fallen stars, here they flow across the field of vision on a wave of metal, resting as they crest. Pear-shaped white diamonds of up to three carats are at the vertex of Serti Inversé’s most elaborate designs. Among the rings, bracelets and collars, in white or rose gold, linear surfaces gleam with additional rows of paved diamonds.
Radiating from this core expression of Serti Inversé are pieces less fully adorned: some have smaller stones, some are entirely in gold, like theses of composition, or architectural studies to be captured and made one’s own.

This April, as nature envelops the world with its mystic appeal, as flowers bloom and a blanket of lush green regales the arrival of a new season, AIGNER debuts the best of its timepieces and jewellery in honor of the new fashion season. Infusing color into the monochromatic world of gents timepieces, the collection is a lively display of subversive charm that combines bold silhouettes with intricate details. The most notable of the gents collection is Tarento. Another timepiece which highlights the strong DNA of the collection is Salerno. Presented with one of the most fascinating crowns ever imagined in a men’s timepiece, the horseshoe-shaped ‘A’ overlaps the dial to draw focus to the cleverly positioned date window.

With unparalleled expertise and craftsmanship, Hong Kong is a premier international hub for jewellery trade business. The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show continue to be the perfect stop for international and regional jewellery manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, buyers and designers to meet and tap into the global markets. The Jewellery Show showcases magnificent finished jewellery, while the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show spotlights on high-quality jewellery raw materials. The twin shows will be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo from May 18 to 21, 2020.

On the occasion of the premiere of Mulan, directed by Niki Caro, Liu Yifei, ambassador of the Maison, was wearing the Nuages d’Or earrings from the High Jewellery collection Les Ciels de Chaumet, as well as a ring from the High Jewellery collection Soir de Fête. Ambassador of Maison Chaumet in China, Liu Yifei is one of the leading actresses of her generation. Sharing with the Maison the same vision of elegance, the Chinese-American actress personifies the contemporary femininity of Chaumet jewellery creations.