Do you know Grand Seiko? This is the finest line of Seiko, the watchmaker we are proud of in Japan. Grand Seiko is consistently manufactured from parts manufacturing to assembly at “Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio” in Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture. I have visited here this time. I haven’t taken any photos, so please come and check it out for yourself.
Access to Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio
6-1, Itabashi, Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture 020-0596
TEL: 019-692-3511 (representative) FAX: 019-692-1170
There was Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio on a small hill surrounded by the greenery of Shizukuishi-cho, which is about 20 minutes by car from the center of Morioka City.
Tour of Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio
Make a reservation to visit.
Apparently I had gone from the back door at the beginning, and asked guard I wanted to see and where do I go. When I was asked “Are you making a reservation?” . . they contacted the front desk and I was instructed to go there.
I was fortunate to be able to visit, but if you read this, please contact in advance to make a reservation for your visit.
The entrance hall entrance is locked.
The automatic door at the entrance of the entrance hall is locked and cannot be entered freely.
The receptionist will open from the inside and you will enter inside.
When you are guided inside, fill out your name on the visitor card.
I was told “please wait until the person in charge of the information comes,” so I decided to wait while watching the exhibition.
Exhibits of successive models and parts of watches.
Most of the entrance halls have exhibits of successive models and parts of watches. I was impressed with the stopwatch used at the Tokyo Olympics.
Also, the parts of the watch are extremely small. It is quite difficult to assemble this with tweezers. When I do it, my hands are squeezed and it seems like I can’t assemble it.
Sale of original models of Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio.
In the corner of the hall, you can find the original model of the Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio, Grand Seiko, and the Credor, which you can only buy here. I was able to touch each of them.
When it comes to Grand Seiko class, the texture of the case is very good. With sharp edges, polish, matte finish and dial visibility, you’ll find yourself in the possession.
The automatic winding is a see-through back, and the logo of Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio is printed on the rotor, which makes it easy to see the original model.
Since I touched it, I developed the disease I wanted, but since there was nothing that preceded me, I put up with it.
I envy those who can buy the original model here.
A tour of the workshop by the guide.
Since there is a guide, I will visit the workshop.
First, I received an explanation from Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio.
It is said that all parts related to Grand Seiko are manufactured and assembled only in this place. This is why Seiko is a manufacturer.
After that, I took a tour of the assembly workshop on the second floor.
The chairs used by the craftsmen are Eames’ Aaron chair, and the work desk is Iwate prefecture’s traditional furniture, “Iwatani chest.” It seems that the work desk is custom-made such as height, width, and depth according to each craftsman.
In large workshops, movements were assembled, and in smaller workshops, needles, windshields and belts were installed.
I use the Eames chair at work. I was happy that the same thing was used.
I thanked the factory for leaving the factory, even though I did not make a reservation.
Summary
I wrote about the tour of Shizukuishi Luxury Watch Studio. I have forgotten my reservation and it bothered me. Please be sure to make a reservation in advance. The exhibition in the entrance hall is impressive, and I was very grateful to be able to see the workshop directly. Next time, I would like to participate in the mechanical clock seminar held here. Everyone too.
#Iwate #shihzukuishi #Seiko #Grand_seiko #Mechanical_watch