The Future Of Grand Seiko With President Akio Naito
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- Опубликовано: 24 апр 2023
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In this video, we sit down with Seiko Watch Corporation President Akio Naito at Watches and Wonders to talk about Grand Seiko's future. What do you guys think of Grand Seiko in 2023?
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It's very very rare for a Japanese executive to speak English. Even for companies that are perceived global. So Kudos to GS for having a CEO who perhaps reads the comments himself about GS and listens to the watch lovers outside of Japan.
He and Akio Toyoda are alike in that way. Both speak really good English too.
My sister's friend is married to a Native Japanese guy who works for a Japanese bank. All his friends learned English in school. Unlike American schools, Japanese students are serious about learning English in school.
It's actually quite common. English is regarded as the language of global business in Japan. Any employee who reaches the executive level and is therefore highly dedicated to their role will almost certainly have strong English ability.
I’ve been living in South Korea for the past few years, and have been going to Japan every couple of months. This level of English is extremely uncommon. The way many Asian countries learn English, unfortunately, isn’t effective when it comes to actual communication.
This is completely wrong, almost all executives in Japan speak English, it's practically a prerequisite for upper management
Dude, the CEO of GS said he’s a fan of your channel. You the man Teddy!
Huge compliment.
Seiko most certainly embodies the pursuit of excellence. I recently called the servicing department to see if I could get hold of a spare link for my original bracelet, and also to enquire as to whether I could purchase a new bracelet for the model which had been discontinued in 2008.
The reason this particular watch is important to me is because it was the first gift my wife (then girlfriend) bought for me in 2005 when I proposed for her hand in marriage.
Since then, I've collected many watches of varying mid to high range brands, but that Seiko sits amongst my most treasured simply due to its provenance.
After sharing this with Seiko's servicing centre, they responded immediately with an offer of a bracelet, which the customer service agent managed to track down from Japan. I bought it and to my surprise was touched when I found the missing spare link in the package containing the brand new like-for-like original bracelet. The note said that they'd included the link so that I could wear the original for sentimental value and swap the new one when I felt like it.
This was then followed up with an email from the same customer service agent saying that she was touched by my story and that she'd obtained the details of the store manager in the Grand Seiko Boutique, so that I can make a direct appointment for a bespoke tour and client experience should I wish to consider buying a Grand Seiko.
Moreover, she said that she'd personally track my watch's journey through the servicing department once I sent it in.
THIS is what dedication to craft and clientele looks like.
For what it is worth, I'm now a loyal Seiko customer.
it sounds like Nintendo has done the similar thing to their customers as well. i am not sure if Toyota will do the same.😄
What a nice story,seikos are awesome but i feel like someone there in the design department despise bracelets cause they are all various level of shite for their price and sometimes it seems like they make 0 effort to fit the end links to the case fit and finish
@@nomar2004 a man in Paradise Ca used his toyota tundra to rescue people from a wildfire that burned the town to the ground. Toyota gave him a brand new tundra.
@@nomar2004 a man in paradise Ca used his tundra to rescue people during a wildfire that burned almost the entire town down. Melted and totaled his truck. Toyota gave him a brand new tundra.
I like how Teddy has better access to the watch industry than just about anyone. Probably everyone.
HE IS ONE LUCKY GUY ...His reviews are okay nothing special in content or production than others... RIGHT PLACE RIGHT TIME.
He is a gentleman.
@@mdo5121 out of all the watch guys on RUclips he is by far the least snobby.
Not luck, obviously he put a lot of effort and dedication into getting where he is now. Nothing lucky about a stoic work ethos.
Well he has the best channel...
Wow, with the top Japanese executive, this is an incredibly rare access. Thank you so much Teddy for sharing with us such a rare opportunity.
Kudos to GS and especially Teddy for being in a position to put this interview together. He makes the interview look easy but I can only imagine how much work goes on behind the scenes and the fact he is able to do all of this at such a young age is so impressive.
2 revolutionary movements in the last 50 years, impeccable case finishing and killer dials. The choice is easy
Quartz, Spring Drive, dual impulse escapement? That is at least three.
@@charleshailey4461 technically Quartz is by Seiko, but GS has elevated it with the 9F movements. And let's not forget the Kodo, the technically most impressive horological piece in modern history after the invention of the Spring Drive.
There’s no such thing as too much Grand Seiko content. Love it!
Love Grand Seiko had a wonderful experience purchasing one in Tokyo at their flagship Ginza store. They gave me a private tour of their upstairs and walked me over to their museum. I’ll forever be a fan.
Sounds like a great experience. I’m visiting next year and thinking about stopping by. Which model did you end up purchasing?
@@vl507 In Tokyo I bought the snowflake and ended up buying more in each city I visited Kyoto I was lucky to find a Cherry blossom and in Osaka a rare 30 pieces only one. I recommend bringing your passport when you visit as Japan could possibly sell to you duty (tax) free depending on your country (I’m American) I ended up saving over $1000 in taxes.
@@USMCRonin I just came back from Japan last week and literally did the same thing! Visited their Flagship store in Ginza, walked in expecting to be indecisive about buying a Cherry Blossom or Snowflake. The CB wasn't in stock, so that made the decision that much easier and so I bought a Snowflake. Got two additional straps, showed them my passport, and walked out having saved hundreds in taxes, all while experiencing some of the best customer service I've ever come across.
We will definitely see GS causing big swiss brands serious headache in the near future. The dials are amazing, movements are marvelous 👏🏻👏🏻
It will be the new quartz crisis
Mr. Naito was excellent. When he described GS as a "hidden jewel" he really captured the brand ethos.
What a compliment him being a fan of your channel! Your crushing the RUclips watch space, great video as usual
Marketing guy here. This is a challenging situation for the brand. Japanese craftsmen are widely known to be the best and most meticulous at whatever they do. As mentioned, it is the "pursuit of perfection". Because Grand Seiko entered the global luxury timepiece market so "late", they have to catch up to their Swiss competitors, who have simply had more time to market their brands. Grand Seiko also has to deal with the fact that although their Seiko brand is popular among enthusiasts, it still has issues with value for money - which drags their luxury brand down. I hope Grand Seiko manages this challenge (they haven't very well until now), invoking much needed emotions, and can position the brand at the top of the luxury timepiece market where it belongs. Is their USP technology? Craftsmanship (especially the dials and case finishing which they excel in)? Service? Will be interesting to observe and follow. I wish you all the best Mr. Naito.
I think that's what makes it so great. People who know their true value collect it because they like and understand what they are getting, not because of its dollar value.
Can even get a good price aftermarket.
I would appreciate if their handwound or automatic movements would be as accurate as an Omega or Rolex. So far their tolerances have been very generous but not always achieved. My white birch had to be sent back for example
@@CleverSmart123 wow
I agree, they simply don’t care to understand the branding issue. Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infinity. It’s all right there to see how this is supposed to be done
My understanding of the Japanese ethos is to keep plugging away, with very long term strategies and goals. This differs from the US model, which is tied to quarterly reports. I think they will have time to grow to prominence, especially with offerings like the Snowflake and the Cherry Blossom.
Absolutely love grand seiko. Thanks for making this one
The brand i hold in highest regard amongst all the brands i own (seiko, omega, Longines, etc)is Seiko. All my Seikos including my 2 spring drives have the absolute smoothest movements of all the brands i own. From setting the time, or date, the feel of the mechanics is just like greased lightening. It’s like the parts are on air bearings. Just butter.
I'm a Casio guy, no doubt, but Grand Seiko is the watch I rate higher than any other Swiss Luxury Watch on the market.
As the biggest Grand Seiko collector and connoisseur in the UK, you have my respect
Teddy is the channel that all the other watch channels watch. Respect , for getting one on one interviews with all these brands
would love to own one if they had more options in the 36-38mm range. their non-tapered bracelets and bulkiness pretty much exclude small wrists like mine
i think 20 years from now we will look at Teddy as being an absolute beacon of respect for the craft. The way he behaves is so fitting to this industry. Love his content!
Teddy nailed this interview and it was a delight to be hearing from Grand Seiko itself! Next up is hoping for a tour of their prestigious studio in Shizukuishi. Make this happen please!
As good as it gets in term of mechanical movements (price/performance as well).
Hope they launch more GMT and sport options.
Absolutely love my Grand Seiko, polished like a piece of jewelry
I sold all of my Rolex and Patek for Grand Seiko watches over the years. This year I auctioned off my Paul Newman Daytona and sky moon tourbillon for the new grand Seiko tourbillon and a Credor minute repeater springdrive watch
I love Grand Seiko. As an watch collector who owns many Swiss brands, Grand Seiko is my next area of focus
My wife just purchased the SBGA413 and it has one of the best dials I have ever seen in a watch. GS punches way above its class in terms of finish and movements, the only people I've heard complain about them are Swiss purists who don't like movements outside of their own.
I really enjoyed this interview. Searching questions and intelligent answers. Grand Seiko have the right philosophy. I look forward to seeing what they produce going forward. I am still so pleased with my GS hi-beat Rikka from the 4Seasons collection. I enjoy wearing it very much.
Love this, Teddy. I just got a Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005. I'm by no means financially able to keep purchasing watches like that - I saved for over a year to be able to buy it. But, there were many directions I could have gone with the savings I had for my first "luxury" watch. Excited for Grand Seiko and am a fan moving forward. Wonderful interview, Teddy. Much love!
Excellent interview with a leading watch maker. Much respect to the CEO for his presentation in English when dealing with an English speaking audience.
For the price, the quality is incredible compared to the usual Swiss brands. Pure quality. Love the movements, finish, attention to detail and those gorgeous dials.
Way better money spent than Rolex. These are actually quality
You must not own either
Rolex is more of a milestone or grail watch, while GS makes timepieces we call art, they are two different animals.
Wear a Rolex and then wear a Grand Seiko right after. The difference in quality of the entire package is palpable. GS = great dials + dial finishing, but that's it.
Also, GS is moving up-market like crazy. They might've been great value for money watches a few years ago, but not really anymore.
🙄🤔😁
Thanks Teddy, for these insights into watch making companies… and thank you too, to Aikio Naito for his vibe on Grand Seiko and aspects of Japanese philosophy … This all goes into making us enjoy our watches more.
Grand Seiko President is a fan of your channel bud, that's big praise!
Great interview! You can definitely tell that there is a lot of respect and reverence from both parties
What a wonderful opportunity to absorb some of the magic of this outstanding brand! Thank you very much for this exciting interview.
Another great video, Teddy. And kudos to GS for having such an impressive CEO. First class all the way.
Another informative interview. Like Teddy himself, straight to the point, all business. Teddy you carry yourself very well and as another poster said here, deserve all the access you've been granted over the past few years. You stand head and shoulders over many content creators in this space. And one more thing, thanks for not unboxing anything! ; )
Wow this is one of a kind video, well done Teddy ! Keep up the good work, Grand Seiko is a dream of a brand.
Since I suspect some people from Grand Seiko will be reading these comments: PLEASE put manual microadjustment on the bracelet clasps ("manual" here means that you can do it with your hands, without tools). It's the only major weakness I see in GS watches. Comparable watches from Rolex and Omega all have this feature and, as someone who lives in Texas where for 6 months out of the year it's very hot outside, it's something that I practically insist on having on my watches now.
Thank you. Came here to say the same thing. It is the only major glaring weakness of every steel bracelet sports watch they produce. Simply put, I'm baffled that they haven't engineered a great micro-adjust system given their other innovations.
Its an aspirational goal to own one of their spring drives one day.
Had my grand seiko for 18 months now. I'm still regularly pleasantly surprised in the ability of the dial and markers to catch the light in different ways, and how the watch can look quite different as a result. Love it!
Excellent interview with great questions and insights
This could have been 10x as long. Pure class!
Teddy, awesome as always!
As a Seiko customer from USA it’s refreshing to see how humble President Akio is👍You are class act Teddy very cool interview 🙏
Thanks for the interview...but was so short...am feeling now i wil love to hear more about the brand...
Great interview by Teddy. Wonderful insight and well delivered interview, where the interviewer is in a unique position to uncover some of the perspective from this excellent company.
Great video. Thank you Mr. Naito and Teddy, looks like a Grand Seiko watch will be next on my list to purchase.
Great interview Mr Baldassarre, the respect you have worldwide 👌👌👌
Would love to see them focus more on wearability. They have recently with case diameters but not with thickness. The new E9 GMT is a good example at 14mm thick. Most of the beloved watches in the sports category specifically have a very wearable thickness relative to dial size.
Personally, I find the Birch to be a lot more wearable than the Snowflake, even though they look similar on paper. My snowflake was rather top heavy, while the Birch has a low center of gravity and a bit more sculpted. Bad enough that I sold the Snowflake, but will keep the Birch.
@@charleshailey4461 absolutely the new birtch line is great! The evolution 9 series as a whole says it focuses on wearability but the with the Chonos, GMTs & Divers priced at or above Rolex, JLC, etc.. which all produce make all those styles 13mm and below. With a 14mm gmt or a 15.4mm Chrono (new tentagraph) it’s obvious they are focusing much more on launching new technologies then on the actual wearing of the watch. All just my opinion of course.
Mr. Naito was pure class. I think I know what my first ''serious'' watch will be :) Great job Teddy. 👏👏👏
What a great brand. Proud to own one and will own more in the future. Love the commentary about a way of life at the end. A lot to learn there.
Teddy, great questions. As the owner of an 8 inch wrist, I wish you would have asked if GS would start making larger case sizes for all of us that love the company. Love your work. You have helped refine my knowledge and philosophy on watch collecting.
Great video, I think that if you are lucky enough to purchase one of these beautiful watches, you can be pretty confident that the watch is so well made and engineered to last a whole lifetime.
Teddy, thanks for continuing to provide great content like this one. One question I had that you may have discussed with Naito Akio-san is whether they may be producing GS in smaller case sizes? 38mm and 39 mm vs. over 40mm where many of the competitors making mechanical chronographs are at. It would be great to know. Thanks.
I've just purchased a Grand seiko and the quality and finishing is excellent and way better than most of the high end watches of similar value that I've had the pleasure of handling😊
Super interesting to see this one. Thanks Teddy!
I got shunbun because of you teddy and I can proudly say thats its one of the most under rated watches out there. Wrist presence is not the greatest but when you buy a watch like grand sieko you buy it for their mechanism and to satisfy your hunger for attaining perfection.
Though prices are increasing I hope to buy another one soon most probably a dress piece.
I just wanted to say thank you to you and kevin for introducing me to this beautiful brand. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
His english is awesome
Another great interview Teddy and such clear insight to the brand from the CEO. GS is a brand I am really interested in and their product is exceptional in design , technology, quality and differentiation. It is of course still relatively new to the western market but will soon become a significant brand. The challenge they have currently is that people in the market for luxury swiss timepieces see a Japanese brand and a price-point and tend not to look any further, without understanding and appreciating the quality, history and the horological genius behind what they offer. I believe and hope this will evolve over time. Credit to you Teddy, you must be very highly regarded in global horology circles. Great work.
Great interview Teddy! Good to know your fans I guess!
Great video, Teddy! It's funny that you mentioned the servicing aspect of GS. I had been a fan of GS for a few years (I actually met Teddy at the GS9 meetup last year!), but a few weeks ago the endlink on my a-few-months-old (and barely worn) sbgk009 literally got detached from the clasp while I was walking, causing the watch to drop to the concrete floor and the bezel got a few very deep nicks (thankfully the crystal was ok). I brought the watch to the boutique, where it was sent to their US service center in NJ. I think it's reasonable for me to expect that the work done be covered, since the drop was due to a defect on the bracelet (the best guess is that the AD screwed it up when sizing me, but it should not be my responsibility regardless). After a few weeks of waiting and back-and-forth, I am being asked to pay $2200 for a bezel replacement; my second option is to have it shipped to Japan for a repair Zaratsu where the nicks "might" be able to come off, for about $1k (after shipping); the best part is that I am also being asked to pay $25 for the very part (the pin) that was defective and caused the whole incident. I have been very disappointed in how GS handles the repair process. I have the Snowflake and the SBGK, and was thinking of getting a GMT from them. I don't see how I can justify another piece from them now, knowing that they don't stand by the supposed pursuit of excellent craftsmanship and customer service.
They need to innovate straps and marketing! I just watched your video and I absolutely loved it! I found your presentation to be incredibly informative and engaging. You did a great job of breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand terms. I also appreciated the humor and personal anecdotes that you sprinkled throughout the video. It made the content more relatable and enjoyable. You're one of the few RUclipsrs who I can consistently count on to deliver high-quality content. Keep up the great work! "I outsourced this feedback to AI"
If GS will ever make a ultra thin case/movement that will be my second Grand Seiko in my collection 😊
Amazing watches. Thanks guys
Because of Teddy my 1st luxury watch is a GS. Truly beautiful, durable, daily wearer, accurate to one second...in a year. Thanks Teddy and the artisans at GS. My next watch will be a Spring Drive.
Great interview with superb questions asked Teddy. Shame it wasn't half an hour long though!
Under 10 mins…cmon Teddy
We deserve more
We want more
We demand moreeeeee😂😂😂
I love grand seiko. Fantastic dials Fantastic quality.
This was great!!!
I see Teddy do a video about grand seiko, I smash the like button and watch 😂
My wish for Grand Seiko is new hand designs. At the old price point, when they first came to the US, I could love the rest of the watch enough to make up for it, but at the current prices, there is a lot of competition, so if you don't love their standard hand design, you have very few to choose from.
They have some variability between their sport watches and other collections but you are right their hands do follow a typical faceted design within the GS collections. I doubt we will see much variation in future as the faceted design is basically a key GS design feature.
Curious as to what you are looking for? I love the new bolder hand designs of the newer modes from the last 3 years. Before that they looked a little to delicate to me. But then again, I prefer more sporty watches.
@@charleshailey4461 Funny, I liked the older hands more because they are more delicate. Would be nice to see them do a take on Bregeut hands.
Excellent...and a valuable insight into Grand Seiko and the future of the Brand.
I have a GS Quartz SBGX261G and I love it. I very much hope to graduate to the innovative 'spring drive'. The Spring Drive is such a wonderful, and ground breaking solution, to kinetic energy.
Big respect to Teddy and the President for making this video 🎉
Japanese people very humble
hope they make more small and slim watches in the future. some of the delicate detail gets lost when it's in a big bulky watch.
Sold my sbga413 to go another direction but I already miss it. A GS will be taking another spot in my collection down the road for sure!
Wonderful to see.
I just got a snowflake and every day that passes I like it more. Also the customer service is great and makes you feel part of a community.
Thank you
Great video.
Mr. Naito mentioned the Japanese attitude for the "pursuit of perfection," which can be observed in many aspects of Japanese culture and manufacturing. In fact, this was the exact slogan Lexus used throughout the 2000's and beyond.
What values are conjured in the same breadth amongst the country's top manufacturers (Yamaha, Sony, Honda, Toyota ect.)? Quality, reliability, consistency (not you Seiko bezel), often hand craftsmanship, and heavily well thought out designs. The results of which position these companies as industry leaders, while still remaining relatively affordable. It is no wonder watch enthusiasts revere Grand Seiko (even just Seiko for that matter) as one of the best because they reflect those core values. Great interview!
I bought my first Grand Seiko little over a month ago, and am keen on looking forward to their offerings in the future; an EVO 9 GMT with a blue dial perhaps?
You've done 3 of my favorite watch brands factories. And now spoken to the grand seiko CEO. I wonder now how else you'll impress me besides going to grand seikos studios.
Great interview sir
Interesting insight and discussion with Mr. Naito. However, I was expecting more insight into his philosophy to grow the brand and change the "perception" that Grand Seiko is not on par with Patek Philippe, or Audemars Piguet. The Japanese are also extremely long term planners, and I would ask him when he thinks Grand Seiko expects to be #1 by market share, and what would it take to get to the top. I own the GS Spring Heritage, with the cherry blossom dial, SBGA413, and absolutely love wearing this watch. Maybe Teddy could have a follow-up session, even by Zoom, to get in more detail.
GS should really look into some other perspectives such as improving the bracelet, reducing the thickness etc instead of just focusing on the dial. I already own a GS and I don't think I'll buy another until they give me a better bracelet.
I like this interview.
This is what i aspire to
Their dials are some impeccable.
Niko and all those Rolex and Swiss D riders know damn well if a Swiss brand has this quality watch and invented the “spring drive” movement, it would be renowned and respected more
Just remember that Nico Leonard is a grey market watch salesman. He hypes watches that make him money, which is not a bad thing. Nico sells Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe mainly. If/when Grand Seiko is demanded on the grey market, Nico will stock Grand Seiko in a heartbeat to earn profits.
I have three watches.
A timex and two Seiko’s.
The Grand Seiko and the Credor are my end goals.
Teddy is the best.
Love Grand Seiko, and Japanese engineering in general. Would love to go to Japan, and purchase another Grand Seiko. My other favourite watch company is JLC.
i have that Evo9 Black Stream at 3:30. love it!
Amazing amazing brand! Happy to see it become a bit more mainstream.
I’d love to see Nico interviewing the president of Grand Seiko. But Teddy, your channel is getting at a level that is unsurpassable.
Great job, Teddy - informative and interesting. I love GS - other than those annoying tiny screws in some bracelets!
seiko in general is avery good watch, not overrated in top of their line. Generally value fir money, they command a respect because of their durability. They make models that will fit every market.
I can only imagine that GS is going to become very sought after in the next few years!
Banner month for the channel!