Converse to any watch model CEO value his nook workplace and they’ll let you know that opening a boutique in London is important in order for you worldwide recognition. Alongside Paris and New York, the town has a popularity for having the proper of consumers – ones which are discerning, who know their watches.
Contemplating its international following, one main omission from the UK capital’s horological panorama has been Seiko, a state of affairs that has lastly been rectified due to the opening of a severely trendy flagship boutique within the coronary heart of Knightsbridge.
Located over two flooring, the minimalist area performs host to one of the complete choices of Seiko watches round. Together with the Astron GPS Photo voltaic – the world’s first GPS photo voltaic watch, which is so intelligent it is aware of the place you’re wherever on this planet nearly earlier than you do – there’s additionally the acclaimed Presage, Prospex and Premier collections.
However the actual deal with for connoisseurs is that the boutique boasts the total worldwide assortment of Grand Seiko, the model’s luxurious watch arm.
First launched in 1960, Grand Seiko was only one watch, quite than a full vary, that was supposed to be one of the best wristwatch the model might produce on the time. The success of that single mannequin spawned successors and shortly Grand Seiko was being talked about within the sort of hushed tones reserved for classic Patek Philippes. Its popularity as being a model for these within the know was enhanced by the issue in buying one among its watches exterior of its homeland, a state of affairs that’s true even now.
Which is why it’s so unbelievable that, for the primary time, the most important assortment of Grand Seikos exterior of Japan, together with such jaw-dropping masterpieces because the hand-made Eichi, Minute Repeater and Fugaku Tourbillon, will probably be accessible simply mere steps from Knightsbridge tube station.
“To have a Seiko London Boutique has been a key focus for us for some time, and we are delighted to have found the ideal location situated in the heart of Knightsbridge,” explains Mr Kinya Iwami, managing director of Seiko UK. “We are proud to open our doors to the UK public and our many loyal Seiko fans.”
Guests to the boutique is not going to solely be handled to an unprecedented collection of extraordinarily cool watches, however they may have the ability to uncover extra in regards to the model’s 136-year historical past and be taught in regards to the phenomenal quantity of watchmaking abilities housed at Seiko HQ.
This is likely one of the few producers that may lay declare to having made each part of each watch in its boutique in-house; it even grows its personal quartz crystals for its non-mechanical actions. And all that technical prowess is on show to play with on the new Brompton Street flagship.
It could have been 50 years within the ready however Seiko has lastly discovered a London residence – and the capital’s watch scene is all the higher for it.
The Seiko Boutique is now open at 57 Brompton Street, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1DP.
