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In Conversation with Akio Naito

By Sarah Jayne Potter    |   2 minute read

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In our latest episode of our Calibre Podcast, we present a conversation between Brian Duffy, our CEO, and Akio Naito, President of Grand Seiko. They discuss many things, from Mr Naito’s long standing history in the watch world, to the history of Grand Seiko, and specific pieces.

Ever since its first creation sixty years ago, Grand Seiko has enchanted watch connoisseurs with timepieces that offer extremely high precision, supreme legibility and a uniquely Japanese aesthetic. The brand has revolutionised watchmaking with many innovations—including the Spring Drive movement, which offers a seamless seconds-hand motion and accuracy unlike any other mechanical watch, and continues to do so today. Every Grand Seiko watch reflects the Japanese spirituality of time inspired by nature. Whether elegant, traditional, or sport, expect a new understanding of “The Nature of Time” from Grand Seiko.

Mr Naito joined the Seiko company in 1984 where he now oversees the company as a whole, as well as each launch and new Seiko and Grand Seiko timepieces. Last year for example, he oversaw a fruitful partnership between Grand Seiko and ourselves at the Watches of Switzerland Group in the form of the Watches of Switzerland Exclusive Grand Seiko Tōgè Special Edition.

This captivating model takes inspiration from the Japanese and British legacies of the two respective companies, combining classic British Racing Green with the fine texture of Grand Seiko’s signature Mount Iwate dial. The term 峠 (Tōgè), or mountain pass, refers to a navigable route through a mountain range, and this special edition timepiece subtly evokes the image of a spirited drive over the many ridges of Mount Iwate in Northern Japan.

You can listen to this podcast below

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