Take a look at our newest merchandise
Borna Bošnjak
With its tall, heritage constructing ceilings and light-coloured fittings, Melbourne’s new Grand Seiko boutique has the proper of welcoming class befitting one Mr Munehisa Shibasaki. Having studied a few of his previous interviews, I had anticipated a touch of sartorial class, and was not dissatisfied. Together with his subtly striped tie completely dimpled under the knot, he passes me his enterprise card and welcomes me to Grand Seiko’s largest Australian boutique. Sitting within the atrium above the principle ground, he explains that he’s already fairly conversant in Australia, having spent 4 years in Sydney earlier on in his tenure with Seiko.
A brand new boutique like it is a assertion of intent, and a transparent signal that Grand Seiko has religion within the Australian market, as advised to us by Seiko President Akio Naito in 2024. However Mr Shibasaki didn’t wish to draw too many conclusions from the primary few months of the boutique’s operation post-soft launch. “It’s nonetheless early days, so we’re cautious about drawing agency conclusions. However I feel Australian persons are open-minded, and so they love new expertise and magnificence. Most manufacturers have an extended historical past, and Grand Seiko launched globally in 2010, however Australians have been open-minded to just accept our “new” model, and in addition new expertise like Spring Drive. These days, additionally they journey to Japan loads and perceive its worth, and never solely its floor degree, but in addition the tradition.”
Regardless of its doorways having opened not too way back, the brand new boutique has already offered some shocking discoveries about Australians and Grand Seiko. “What has been extra surprising, and inspiring, is the robust curiosity in our valuable metallic items from purchasers who’re fully new to the model”, explains Shibasaki. “Australians clearly have a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation. With these values on the coronary heart of Grand Seiko, the boutique expertise has made folks really feel extra assured in exploring and buying from our most unique strains, together with the Masterpiece assortment.”
In case you’re something like me although, you’d even be questioning what the particular person on the very pinnacle of Grand Seiko’s management chooses as his every day watch. When prompted, Shibasaki was completely satisfied to share his Evolution 9 SLGW003, apparently fitted to a brown cordovan strap. Aside from proudly displaying off its great high-beat calibre, Shibasaki recalled the 2024 GPHG awards, chuckling: “We launched it final 12 months, and waited to search out it on the checklist for a prize. Sadly we missed the chance, however this watch has confirmed demand in all markets. I actually love the fantastic thing about the motion, and the distinctive form of the hen click on.”
Being the most important Grand Seiko retailer in Australia, you’d additionally anticipate it to supply items that you simply may in any other case not have the ability to discover. And relatively unsurprisingly, the 9SA4 calibre made its means into Mr Shibasaki prime picks from the shop, however this time within the boutique-exclusive, strong gold SLGW002 variant. Additionally on his checklist was the most recent and best from the Spring Drive camp, within the form of the SLGB003 U.F.A, specifically calling out its smaller, 37mm dimension and new micro-adjust clasp. His last alternative completes an awesome trio, that being the GPHG-winning White Birch SLGH005.
Two of these three watches are from Grand Seiko’s mechanical line-up, and extra particularly characteristic high-beat actions which have headlined a wave of current releases from the model. Being one of many few manufacturers that concentrate on high-beat, I questioned what about these actions precisely is so engaging for Grand Seiko, and why it resonates nicely with followers. “Excessive beat actions play an important function in Grand Seiko’s historical past. In 1968, we launched our first computerized high-beat within the 61GS, adopted by the manual-winding 45GS”, Shibasaki explains, pointing to the watch he had handed me moments earlier, that being his private, start 12 months 45GS 4522-7000 with a surprising blue dial. “In 2009, we launched the 9S collection, and the 9SA achieves 80 hours of energy reserve, which is sort of troublesome. Usually, high-beat actions want extra torque, that means their energy reserve just isn’t that prime. However we achieved each excessive accuracy and excessive energy reserve, and that’s in all probability our nice achievement. It’s the theory that reveals proof that we’re totally different within the watch business, and reveals our mechanical watchmaking functionality.”
Aside from talking with Mr Shibasaki, the spotlight for me, in fact, was the collection of classic watches on show as a part of Grand Seiko’s travelling assortment. This included all of the essential watches you could possibly consider, from the very start of Grand Seiko, and all the best way to the late Nineteen Eighties when it fizzled out for a while, earlier than being revived as soon as once more. Fortunately for me (and every other V.F.A. lover within the room), this additionally included an absolute unicorn of the V.F.A. world, the ref. 4580-7000.
Benefit from the weekend forward,
Borna and the Time+Tide Group
Watch meme of the week: what color is your Bugatti?
To reply the query above, fortunately not this one. In case you’ve ever questioned what the tackiest paperweight on the earth seem like, marvel no extra, as Jacob & Co and Lalique have proven off their tackle a crystal, tourbillon-regulated Bugatti desk clock. Not your regular meme format, however meme-worthy for certain.
Wristshot of the week: a Grand Seiko First on (very) temporary mortgage to me
This Grand Seiko First and its printed dial was my private favorite piece of the evening, graciously lent to me by a devoted collector.
Time+Tide Store choose of the week: echo/neutra Rivanera
The Brutalist gown watch that breaks norms and but conforms, and it’s now again in inventory in our Melbourne Discovery Studio. The distinction between the matte and polished surfaces of the titanium case are downright spectacular, the echo/neutra Rivanera wears with surprisingly plentiful presence, wears as slim as you’d need it to, and has an awesome motion given the value and every little thing else that’s on supply. It’s no shock it was as well-liked because it was when it launched, and we’re completely satisfied to have the ability to supply restricted portions of each the black and gray colourways.
Uncover the echo/neutra Rivanera within the Time+Tide Melbourne Discovery Studio. Value: A$2,750
Our favorite Time+Tide protection of the week
Classic stunners, quartz oddities, and a extremely uncommon Cartier to hit Watches of Knightsbridge public sale block
With a useful little break after the whirlwind that was the Geneva watch auctions in April and Might, the wheels of the classic watch world maintain turning, and we glance subsequent to the June public sale by Watches of Knightsbridge. I take you thru a few of our favorite tons right here.
From Nolan to Kojima: Hamilton’s Dying Stranding 2 collab charts an thrilling new course for watches
Hamilton, a watchmaker famed for its shut collaborations with the movie business, is now collaborating with the online game equal of a blockbuster: Hideo Kojima’s Dying Stranding 2: On the Seashore, the much-anticipated sequel to one of the crucial cinematic and distinctive video games of all time. And fittingly, the watch Hamilton’s made for the sport can also be simply one of the crucial distinctive watches they’ve ever crafted – arguably much more so than their equally sci-fi Dune: Half Two items. Jamie talks new Hamilton Dying Stranding 2 watch right here.
The brand new 38mm, no date Breguet Sort XX Chronographs are a purist collector’s dream
Breguet is displaying no indicators of stopping their 250th birthday celebration, and we’re very a lot alongside for the journey. The newest novelty the model is showcasing is a pair of Sort XXs, however this time in 38mm and with no date. Zach has all the small print on the brand new Sort XX Chronographe 38mm right here.
