The Grand Seiko ‘Alive in Time through the Five Senses’ exhibition ensured all visitors left invigorated by its horological savoir-faire
Believe what the collectors tell you: watch appreciation is a full-on experience. There is no mistaking that all-consuming obsession—replete with tingling sensations, sleepless nights, and an almost visceral desire to touch and own that desired timepiece—once you are bitten by the horological bug.
Grand Seiko, which has been flying the flag for luxury Japanese watchmaking for the past 60 years, knows this all too well. Its four-day exclusive exhibition ‘Alive in Time through the Five Senses’, held last month in Singapore, following the first exhibition in Tokyo last September, immersed the over 150 invited guests in a watchmaking experience that literally lit up all their senses.
“This event marks a significant milestone for us; it is our first ever large-scale exhibition in the region, and a testament to Grand Seiko’s unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and the art of watchmaking,” says Ida Idris-Low, managing director of Grand Seiko Asia Pacific, in a press statement.
The exhibition space was divided into five areas: Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste and Smell, each showcasing a different facet of Grand Seiko’s horological expertise and spirit.
Guests had the chance to get up close with the brand’s hallmark movements—the 9S Mechanical, the 9R Spring Drive and the 9F Quartz—at the Sight showcase, complete with movement assembly demonstrations by two of its master watchmakers. The stunning Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon, Grand Seiko’s first mechanical complication, took centre stage at the Sound area, mesmerising guests with its technical sophistication and dramatic architecture, as well as the unmistakable 16-beat ticking of the escapement.
Moving through the exhibition, guests soon found themselves in a serene Zen garden—the showcase’s Touch area—where they got to try on Grand Seiko watches, and appreciate the brand’s watchmaking philosophy and expertise first-hand. At the Taste and Smell areas, Grand Seiko capped the immersive experience with a gastronomic treat. Guests were treated to a Japanese hassun experience, a gorgeous, seasonal appetiser sampler traditionally served at a kaiseki dinner, specially prepared in partnership with chef Aeron of Kappou.
“Bringing ‘Alive in Time through the Five Senses’ to this part of the world not only underscores our commitment to our enthusiasts and clients here but we are also thrilled to have provided an immersive experience that celebrates the intricate beauty of our timepieces and intimately connects with each individual’s five senses,” adds Idris-Low.
