Grand Seiko opens its first boutique in Singapore to expand its profile in the region

Grand Seiko has gained significant traction since its debut last year as the only non-European brand to participate in Watches & Wonders, the largest watchmaking event in Geneva. Plans were already underway to expand its footprint into the region way before that. This was revealed by Akio Naito, chairman of Grand Seiko Asia-Pacific and president of Seiko Watch Corporation, on his recent trip to Singapore to officiate at the opening of Grand Seiko Asia-Pacific at Marina Bay Sands last month. The opening marks a milestone for the brand as it expands its presence in the Asia Pacific region.

Speaking to Options in the VIP room at the corner of the boutique, Naito says that Grand Seiko became an independent brand in 2017, a year later Grand Seiko America was established followed by Grand Seiko Europe in 2020 and Grand Seiko Asia-Pacific last year. Grand Seiko Europe was created at the height of the pandemic, Naito says, “We made significant changes during the pandemic, and one was to open a new Grand Seiko boutique in Europe at Place Vendome, Paris. And it worked!” The opening in Europe follows closely on the heels of the US in 2018 and this year in Singapore.