Giving form to the sensibility and essence of “THE NATURE OF TIME”

Morioka Seiko Industries, located in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture, overlooking the famous Mt. Iwate, is a sacred place for manufacturing high-end mechanical watches such as Grand Seiko and other Seiko watches. The keystone of this is the Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio. Since its establishment in 2004, it has been engaged in integrated production, from manufacturing parts for high-end mechanical watches to assembling and adjusting movements and products, and has established a manufacturing system that is unique among Swiss luxury watch brands. This year, as Grand Seiko celebrates its 60th anniversary, we have newly established Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in order to further enhance the brand.

Grand Seiko aims to create the highest quality wristwatches, honing the accuracy, reliability, and aesthetic sense that only a made in Japan watch can offer, and has grown into a Japanese prestige brand that is proud not only in Japan but around the world. Based on its 60-year history, Kengo Kuma, one of Japan's leading architects, was responsible for the design of Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, which marks a new start for the next generation. Kuma also designed the world's largest Grand Seiko boutique, which just opened in Place Vendôme in Paris this year, and is deeply involved with the brand. He says that the timing of his 60th birthday is particularly moving.

``Sixty years is the 60th birthday in the rhythm of human life, and 1960th birthday originally means a turning point in one's life and a turning point in rebirth.At the same time as this turning point, 60, when Grand Seiko was born, is It was the peak of the period of high economic growth.In a sense, 2020, XNUMX years later, is a symbolic period in which Japan will move from the era of quantity, which began with high economic growth, to the era of quality. is. At this turning point, Grand Seiko established such a workshop. It feels like a new beginning." The reason for focusing on this time axis is probably because architecture continues to exist over a long period of time, and architects cannot help but be aware of the existence of time.

“When we create a building, we always think about what it will look like decades later, not just when it is completed.Long-term value is the most important thing in architecture. When it comes to materials like wood, the more time passes, the better the quality becomes.I think it will become increasingly important for architecture in the future to be designed with a long-term perspective in mind.

The design theme for Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi was Grand Seiko's brand philosophy of ``THE NATURE OF TIME.'' This expresses Japan's unique sense of time, which believes that all activities are part of nature, and the essence of time that Grand Seiko has always pursued. So how did they materialize this?

``I think everyone can intuitively feel the words ``THE NATURE OF TIME.'' Not only do they have the original meaning of ``the essence of time,'' but they also represent a somewhat mysterious combination of NATURE and TIME. This architecture expresses this in a more concrete way.The natural material of wood is used in the building, and you can feel it intuitively. This studio is a concrete example of this.In that sense, I think it was a very interesting and fun opportunity for me as an architect to be able to embody the brand's ideals in the building itself.''

Architecture does not exist as a standalone entity; it is also greatly influenced by the surrounding environment and conditions. In that respect, he continues, ``Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi'' is a rare piece of architecture. “It is rare that manufacturing has continued in such a wonderful natural environment while preserving the spirit and techniques of craftsmen.And with the construction of this building, we hope to preserve and pass on the craft for a longer period of time. I think that's a blessing for the building."

At the newly born Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, Grand Seiko, infused with the philosophy of "THE NATURE OF TIME" by master craftsmen, continues to tick on the wrist of each person who holds it. “The moment you see Grand Seiko, I hope you can feel that there is a studio like this behind it, and that there is such rich nature, mountains, and sky. I think it would be great if people could experience the connection between nature and humans."

(Titles omitted)

→To the sacred place of GRAND SEIKO, Shizukuishi (Part 2)

◆Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi
61-1 Itabashi, Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture