de GRISOGONO + PuristSPro Event in Tokyo
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de GRISOGONO + PuristSPro Event in Tokyo

By KIH · Sep 29, 2010 · 39 replies
KIH
WPS member · Horological Meandering forum
39 replies8282 views30 photos
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KIH provides an exclusive photo report on the de GRISOGONO + PuristSPro event in Tokyo, offering a rare glimpse into the brand's engagement with the Japanese market and high horology collectors. The post details a roundtable discussion featuring de GRISOGONO executives and top Japanese watch retailers, underscoring the brand's strategic efforts to enhance its image in a crucial market.

Sorry it took a while....


Hello,

It's been three months since I moved BACK to Tokyo after up and down 15 years of life in New York.  Needless to say, I am still trying to adjust myself in the new environment - the Summer weather as well as the new office, work process, etc.   I sometimes don't understand certain things and feel being treated like a foreigner smile  But, overall, it is getting comfortable because after all, this is where I was born and grew up, and family (mother, sister, etc.) is here.   Having been a bad son, thousands of miles away for 15 years when they needed me most, it feels good to take care of (or to be taken care of by) a parent.  Regrettably, I couldn't do that while father was alive, though.

Now back to the watch topic.  The event was the first such event I attend since I came back.  The boutique is 3 years old located in the ground/lobby floor of The Peninsula Hotel, which is close to the center of high end shopping zone including but not limited to the numerous watch boutiques, restaurants, theaters, touristic places such as the imperial palace. In other words, very convenient for both the local shoppers and tourists.

Prior to the evening reception, there was a talk session hosted/ moderated by the Japanese watch magazine, "Chronos Japan" where Messrs. Gruosi (the founder, president and the inspiration of dG designs), Roden (CEO of the brand), and Mao (PuristSPro), and the top watch authorities of Japan - CEOs of the three major watch retailers.   Dr. Mao and PuristSPro were invited and presented as recognized independent watch authorities in the world of high horology collecting, with the platform for such collectors worldwide.  I defer the details to the magazine, but it was a very candid and fruitful discussion such as what more can be done to enhance the brand image in Japan - the comments are honest, sincere, and sometimes blunt partly because those gentlemen do carry the brand in their shops and naturally they have upper hands.  Would like to report on that article later when it comes out as well.

The roundtable discussion (photos courtesy and copyright of Chronos Japan):






Those top watch authorities of Japan are:

Mr. Toru Kamine: CEO of KAMINE
Mr. Yasuyuki Iima: President of EYE EYE ISUZU
Mr. Atsushi Momoi: CEO of THE HOUR GLASS JAPAN
and Mr. Naomasa Furukawa: Editor-in-Chief of Chronos Japan, as the moderator

Some of them came to Tokyo only to attend this event from afar.


The evening finally started.




The guests and hosts - a lot more turn-out than anticipated!







Now the presentation:

Welcome speech by Mr. Fawaz Gruosi :   Founder & president of de GRISOGONO



© Courtesy of de GRISOGONO


Technical presentation of Meccanico dG by
Mr. Gerald Roden: CEO of de GRISOGONO








Very serious crowd about the technological aspect of Meccanico.





Meccanico dG up-close:





RG version:





On the wrist:




Other models - 10
th anniversary Uno:




© Courtesy of de GRISOGONO


All in all, personally, quite impressive presentation a nd demo, which made me think that we should not dismiss dG as just another jewelry brand with watch division.  This is a seriou sly innovative watch made by serious people.  Also, the design (outside=case) is very tempting - not only this model, but o ther existing models do have the signs of the jewelry brand with consistent obsession to the details in the finish.  Finally, we did feel the spirit of the people behind the scene by actually meeting the founder and the CEO.  DG has just 10 years of history as a watch brand but with new much experienced CEO on board, I believe it is worth paying attention to from now on.

Thank you very much for reading through.

Ken  


This message has been edited by KIH on 2010-09-29 08:46:56 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2010-09-29 17:09:02 This message has been edited by AndrewD on 2010-10-01 23:45:50

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The Discussion
TO
TonyR
Sep 29, 2010

thanks for posting. The boutique in Japan looks just as nice as the one here in New York. I'm glad to hear that your settling in over there. Be well, Tony

AN
AndrewD
Sep 29, 2010

Thanks for the report, Ken. I love the intensity in the first couple of photos; it looks like there was a lot to discuss. And what were your impressions of the Meccanico on the wrist? As you mention, I find the the "jewelry companies" making watches often do a brilliant job with aesthetics and finish. Another interesting brand to watch. Andrew

AU
AuHavrePro
Sep 29, 2010

story and report, they have some very original ideas and it will be exciting to observe how things develop. Also, I'm very interested in reading your comments about the transition from the US to Japan, I highly respect Japanese culture and work etiquette and comparatively there are certain elements US business culture lacks notably, nowhere's perfect however so there are elements lacking in Japan also. Therefore it is very educative to listen to first-hand impressions from a person like yourself

KI
KIH
Sep 29, 2010

It didn't feel as big as the spec says. Of course, it is not a 34mm dress watch, but having learnt the technologies and innovation inside, I kinda feel that there will be many who won't mind the size. And it feels comfortable - they are jewlry company and they know what owners expect to "feel" on her/his skin from these things. Yes, interesting brand to follow, indeed. Ken

KI
KIH
Sep 29, 2010

Hi Filip, Well, VERY generally speaking, people here lost confidence (while I was away) a lot. And lost interest in where this country is going, too. With population shrinking, ever increasing national debt (but the worry is actaully overestimated outside Japan), and also ever so declining average income. Yup, not much good news here! But walking down the street in the business center or shopping center area, there are so many people actually shopping and doesn't feel the economy is in a bad sha

ED
ED209
Sep 29, 2010

And it's great to see Gerald Roden back in the business after his departure from GG/DR. There's a new deGrisogono boutique at Crystals Mall City Center in Las Vegas, I hope to check out the Meccanico. Thanks for the photo report! Regards, ED-209

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