IN JAPAN, AN ARTISAN IS CALLED SHOKUNIN (職人). Artist Tasio Orate explains it best: “The Japanese apprentice is taught that shokunin means not only having technical skills, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness. The shokunin has a social obligation to work his/her best for the general welfare of the people. This obligation is both spiritual and material, in that no matter what it is, the shokunin’s responsibility is to fulfil the requirement.”
Indeed, as Grand Seiko celebrates the opening of its first boutique in Singapore with a resounding tribute to its Japanese roots, expanding its presence in the AsiaPacific region and showcasing the brand’s signature design philosophy for understated elegance and exacting refinement – what newcomers to the brand actually discover is a “secret cult” of aficionados drawn to its undeniable value when it was only available as Japanese Domestic Models (JDM).
That said, Grand Seiko has “grown up” in recent years and during a brief conversation at lunch with Akio Naito, President of Grand Seiko (whom we spoke to last year), he intimated that the eventual plan was to move Grand Seiko into a positioning to rival Rolex while moving King Seiko into a segment currently occupied by Tudor; setting the context for the brand’s plans for its global introduction.
Speaking with Senior Executive VP Yoshikatsu Kawada, we gained a deeper understanding of what makes a Grand Seiko masterpiece and a true emblem for nature’s beauty as interpreted by human hands.
Has social media today placed finishing at the forefront of watchmaking?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 190-Ausgabe von August Man SG.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 190-Ausgabe von August Man SG.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Leading The Conversation
Unveiled At This Year’s Watches And Wonders Geneva, The New Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, With Its Lustrous Mother-of-pearl Dials, Adds A New Dimension Of Luxury To The Codes That Define The Daytona.
Merging Classic Cool With Cutting-Edge Innovation
Inspired by its 1963 racetrack origins, the new Carrera Chronograph embodies a legacy of speed and elegance, now reimagined for the modern man.
A Century Of Craftsmanship
Celebrating a legacy of luxury with Wes Anderson’s cinematic flair, Montblanc rediscovers the timeless elegance of its iconic Meisterstück fountain pen.
Forces Of Nature
Two strategically released pieces in Grand Seiko’s Watches and Wonders Geneva repertoire of novelties promise an exciting future for the Japanese Manufacture.
Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom
Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition invokes Japan’s cherry blossom festival exquisitely.
A NATIONAL TREASURE
THE AVERAGE SINGAPOREAN REMEMBERS DR. ONG KENG SEN FOR DIRECTING THE POPULAR 1996 LOCAL FILM ARMY DAZE, BUT THE CULTURAL MEDALLION LAUREATE IS NOW PLAYING A HUGE PART IN FACILITATING OUR SOCIETY’S MATURATION IN ARTS, CULTURE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
With Delicious Precision
THE MADE OF MAKERS CAMPAIGN by Jaeger-LeCoultre is a groundbreaking new campaign in which the Manufacture collaborates with artists and artisans from outside the world of watchmaking.
LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING WITH PROFESSOR BRIAN COX
Augustman met Professor Brian Cox at Watches and Wonders Geneva as he presented the new IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Eternal Calendar. Existentialist questions around time and existence followed in our exclusive interview.
AN EYE FOR ICON
THE SYNONYM FOR ‘CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION OF ARCHIVAL EMBLEMS’ MIGHT VERY WELL BE KIM JONES.
THE KEEPER OF MEMORIES
A conversation with French master perfumer Daphné Bugey details what exactly makes fragrances so powerful. Layered between each olfactive note is a memory tucked within.