Seiko celebrates their new Madison Avenue boutique with brand ambassador Novak Djokovic

Aug 25, 2014,20:25 PM
 

Tuesday August 19th marked the grand opening of the new Seiko boutique at 510 Madison Ave in New York City. To celebrate the new boutique, Mr. Shinji Hattori, President and CEO of Seiko, and Seiko ambassador Mr. Novak Djokovic hosted a grand event at the 620 Loft and Gardens. With the summer season coming to a close, Seiko transported guests to a summery city getaway with a pool, drinks on the lawn, and two samurai swordsmen roaming among guests.  

 


Mr. Shinji Hattori, Mr. Novak Djokovic, Mr. Hirohiko Umemoto, and Mr. Yosh Kawada / photo credit: Seiko Corporation of America 

Although the event was held in the heart of Manhattan, the Seiko group was able to bring a traditional Japanese feel. Surrounded by the buildings of midtown New York and the incredible view of the iconic Empire State Building, guests were snacking on Waygu beef, bone marrow, and tartar while drinking Sapporo and a mix of Sake drinks. The fusion between the two cultures was flawless and paid homage to Seiko's immersion into the New York City scene.

 

As watch bloggers and enthusiasts mingled, all eyes were drawn to the 6'2" frame of the 2014 Wimbledon champion and Seiko ambassador, Mr. Novak Djokovic. Sporting a Seiko Astron GPS Solar Novak Djokovic Limited Edition watch, Mr. Djokovic made his way to the stage to enjoy the musical performance of a group consisting of four musicians, each with traditional Japanese instruments. Inspired by the organic sounds of nature, the music fluctuated from the orchestral sounds of woodwinds and strings to the electronic sounds of synthesizers and deep beats.

 

Seiko and Mr. Djokovic are celebrating their new three year partnership. With Seiko's long history in the sporting world, this partnership proves to expand Seiko's influence in the world of timekeeping. Novak Djokovic joins fellow brand ambassadors Landon Donovan, Jessica Saund, and Graham Hill as well as a brand who was the official timekeeper of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and official timekeeper of countless world championships for the IAAF.

 

Following the breathtaking performance, Mr. Hattori performed a ribbon cutting ceremony and was joined by Mr. Djokovic, Hirohiko Umemoto, COO of Seiko Watch Corporation, and Yosh Kawada, President and CEO of Seiko Corporation of America, for the Japanese tradition of kagami-biraki. Kagami-biraki symbolizes opening the lid to harmony and good fortune.  As sake was delivered to the audience, guests wandered through the displays of Seiko's watch making history.

 

As the night wound down, guests left with a box of Wako chocolates flown in from the Wako store in Ginza and a masu box, one of the most traditional forms of serving sake. Congratulations to Seiko and their milestone of opening their Madison Avenue boutique.

 

See below for photos of the event.

 


The musicians holding traditional Japanese instruments

 


Seiko brought New York City one last summer party

 


Watch bloggers and enthusiasts gather for the grand opening

 


The scene at the bar

 


The perfect fusion between Japanese and American culture

 


Mr. Djokovic and Mr. Hattori celebrate their partnership and the grand opening

 



 


The performance of the evening

 



 


Mr. Hattori ceremoniously cuts the ribbon to the new Seiko boutique

 



 

Shinji Hattori, Novak Djokovic, Hirohiko Umemoto, and Yosh Kawada prepare for kagami-biraki

 



 
  


 
 


Yosh Kawada poses with one of the samurai warriors

 


Mr. Djokovic and Mr. Hattori / photo credit: Seiko Corporation of America

 


Prospex Marinemaster 

 


Prospex Kinetic - power reserve indicator function, GMT indicator, date calendar, 6-month power reserve, LumiBrite hands and markers

 


Grand Seiko - Limited Edition, Automatic Hi-Beat 36,000

 


 


 
 
 



The Astron Solar - the first watch automatically recognize all the time zones. The watch will reflect the correct timezone with a single button. The Astron is powered by sunlight and will correct it's time by GPS signal.



   


 
   


 


  
 

The Prospex Solar powered by light energy. 24- hour indicator, date calendar, 6-month power reserve, LumiBrite hands and markers.

 

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2014-08-25 20:34:01


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Comments: view entire thread

 

Excellent report!

 
 By: KIH : August 25th, 2014-22:36
Now I feel I have to visit there on my next business trip! Thank you for the report! Wonderful coverage. Best, Ken

Thank you Ken

 
 By: ampurist : August 27th, 2014-19:39
The boutique is truly a sight for your next visit to New York!

That GS-LE auto looks nice...

 
 By: DRMW : August 26th, 2014-00:15
Thanks for the inside scoop of the event ampurist! -MW

Thank you DRMW!

 
 By: ampurist : August 27th, 2014-19:39
nt

Great coverage of the Seiko event

 
 By: ED209 : August 26th, 2014-08:24
Thanks ampurist for the report on this event. Where there any Seiko watches that you liked? Regards, ED-209

Thanks Ed!

 
 By: ampurist : August 27th, 2014-19:49
The Astron Solar was definitely my favorite of the group. It was the perfect mix of complication with legibility. I think it's so cool that it automatically adjusts to the time zone. That is a problem I seem to always have.

Thank you Ronald!

 
 By: ampurist : August 27th, 2014-19:43
It was a great event by Seiko! I was in awe of Djokovic. I look forward to future Seiko events.

Thanks for covering this for us

 
 By: cazalea : August 29th, 2014-07:39
With Ken in Japan and me in Europe, we couldn't be in New York. Cheers for the great report. Mike