Grand seiko spring drive chrono

Grand Seiko joins WatchPro Awards 2016

Luxury Japanese watch brand Grand Seiko is the latest company to back the WatchPro Awards 2016 having sponsored the Independent Luxury Retailer of the Year category.

WatchPro will honour the work of watch retailers the length and breadth of the country when the awards take place at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on London’s Southbank on October 26.

Seiko’s UK head of brand strategy and corporate marketing, Bretton Essex-Evans, spoke to WatchPro to outline why Grand Seiko is supporting the inaugural WatchPro Awards.

 

How important and beneficial to the UK watch industry for it to now have its own awards night?

It is vital to celebrate the incredibly broad range of skills and achievements in the watch industry. The WatchPro Awards are going to recognise excellence and applaud innovation – they will ensure that outstanding talent is applauded and this is invaluable in an industry that strives for excellence.

 

What will Grand Seiko be looking forward to most about sponsoring the Independent Luxury Retailer of the Year category?

Independent retailers not only offer outstanding specialist knowledge but often have very special, personal relationships with their customers. We at Grand Seiko appreciate the extra mile that these retailers go to communicate and sell our product and we are very much looking forward to recognising and rewarding them.

 

What does this sponsorship say about Grand Seiko’s ambitions and plans for growth within the UK watch trade?

2016 is a pivotal year for Grand Seiko, with the launch of the UK’s first-ever Seiko boutique (which will house the full Grand Seiko collection) and thus brand awareness has to be at the highest level. We see the sponsorship of the WatchPro Awards as a unique way to communicate to the industry.

 

What do you think about the venue – Shakespeare’s Globe theatre?

As one of the UK’s most culturally iconic buildings, Shakespeare’s Globe is the ideal venue for an industry steeped in history, drama and nuance! From the historical to the horological, the venue promises to make for an unforgettable night.

 

Grand Seiko join watch strap manufacturer Hirsch (Multiple Luxury Retailer of the Year) as category sponsors at the WatchPro Awards 2016, the first awards dedicated to the efforts and achievements of UK watch retailers. WatchPro readers can decide the category shortlists by nominating retailers here.

James Buttery

Editor of WatchPro, the WatchPro Hot 100 and The Luxury Report.

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