Grand Seiko effectively opens its first boutique in the UK this month, it just happens to be in the same retail unit previously used by Seiko in Knightsbridge.
Although Seiko has a number of premium watch collections selling for four figures, the change to adopting the Grand Seiko brand on the store’s fascia makes perfect sense for a boutique in London’s Knightsbridge, where it rubs shoulders with Harrods, Watches of Switzerland and Rolex’s biggest showroom in Europe.
It is the first Grand Seiko directly owned and operated store in Europe, although it will be joined next month when a boutique in Paris’s Place Vendome opens in March.
The investment comes in Grand Seiko’s 60th anniversary year, and will help to raise the profile of the brand and make it attractive to high end retail partners considering taking it on this year.
“2020 is a hugely exciting time for Grand Seiko. To be able to start our 60th anniversary year with a new Grand Seiko boutique in Knightsbridge is a great way to celebrate that milestone,” says David Edwards, managing director for Seiko UK.
“We look forward to welcoming all to see the expanded Grand Seiko collection there and to experience the unique service from the boutique team,” he adds.
An event to celebrate the store opening is expected in the coming weeks, which will give Grand Seiko the opportunity to present 2020 collections that were set to be launched at a global summit in Tokyo in the first week of March.
That event had to be cancelled because of concerns over the spread of Coronavirus.
Dear sir I have a very early Seiko sportmatic before Seiko were known in the UK, which was my father’s and requires servicing the watch is self winding but stops after a short period it has considerable sentimental value and would be grateful if you could recommend someone who could undertake a good repair/service. Regards John Appleton
Dear John, I have forwarded your inquiry to Seiko and hope they will contact you directly with a solution. All the best, Rob