Video: Akio Naito and Munehisa Shibasaki On Grand Seiko In America And The Future Of All Things Seiko
We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Akio Naito, President of Seiko Watch Corporation, and Munehisa Shibasaki, Director & Senior Vice President of Seiko Watch Corporation, here at Hodinkee HQ. Ben Clymer hosted a wide-ranging conversation with them about launching a new market, Grand Seiko’s big break, how they drew inspiration from Toyota, how they negotiated to be the official timekeeper of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and much more.
A stellar collection of Seiko’s
Fans of Grand Seiko will especially be interested in the ultimately successful breakthrough in the US market in 2016, which didn’t come without its fair share of challenges. Before they got into the details, though, Akio and Munehisa showed off an incredible collection of watches, of which a few are on display below. We hope you’ll enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at one of Japan’s finest watchmakers.
Akio Naito’s modern-day version of the first Grand Seiko was released in 1960. Akio got it for himself when he became President of the company.
Munehisa’s SLGW003
Early 1980s Seiko that Munehisa received from his mother at 12 years old when going to prep school.
SLQ001 Kinetic Chronograph
Seiko Chronograph “Bullhead” that Shibasaki purchased in Lima, Peru.
King Seiko cushion-style from 1969
Grand Seiko Hi-Beat from 1969
Seiko Presage Automatic
Hodinkee
