Espace de Kamine: A special "watch experience" at a salon where you can discover truly valuable watches

FEATURES Magazine article

2024.02.17

Espace de Kamine will have its grand opening in October 2023. Kamine is a long-established company based in Sannomiya, Kobe, that operates unique watch boutiques. What is the true value of this ninth store operated by the company?

Espace de Kamine

Espace de Kamine was not just a store for selling watches, but was intended to be a salon where watch enthusiasts could gather and interact. Therefore, the high ceilings were an essential element in creating a comfortable, open space. While the Breguet section is spacious on the left as you enter the store, there are also ample spaces for micro-maisons such as Laurent Ferrier and Romain Gauthier at the front and on the right.

Edited & Text by Yukiya Suzuki (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2024 issue of Kronos Japan]

Espace de Kamine, which will have its grand opening in October 2023

Espace de Kamine

Espace de Kamine is located in a particularly upscale area of Kobe, which has a strong image of being stylish. Due to its location, many customers come by car, and the surrounding area of the store is blessed with a calm and spacious environment. It is the perfect place for a salon where watch lovers and enthusiasts can gather. (Left) There is also a reception area in the Breguet corner.

　The first thing that catches your eye when you step inside the store is the high ceiling that gives it an airy feeling. At the center of this spacious space, which also exudes a sense of luxury, is not a display area for watches, but a spacious waiting area. In recent years, the more luxury brands there are tending to place emphasis on hospitality in a comfortable space. This is the "watch experience" that provides high-quality, valuable watches along with a satisfaction that cannot be found anywhere else. This is the idea that true luxury is what it is.

　Watch enthusiasts and watch lovers, now known as "connoisseurs," come to these special places to search for watches that are truly valuable to them. Moreover, unlike a single-brand boutique, at Espace de Kamine, they can find a selection that only Kamine, which boasts reliability backed by its long experience in the watch industry, can offer.

Espace de Kamine

On the wall at the back of the store, there is a world map and a clock displaying the time in major cities.

　The largest section of the store is devoted to Breguet. However, what's noteworthy is that in addition to Breguet, a long-established Swiss luxury brand, the store also offers a wide selection of watches from independent micro-maisons, which have been gaining particular attention in recent years. Many of these brands adhere to a philosophy of exceptional watchmaking, with meticulous attention to detail, achieved through small-scale production. Among these are Laurent Ferrier, featuring a classic design and a movement with a unique escapement, and Romain Gauthier, which, in contrast, features a modern design and a movement with stunning finishes. The uniqueness and appeal of this boutique lies in the fact that you can actually hold these famous micro-maison watches, which are now so popular that it's difficult to see them in person.

　In addition, various events related to the brands they carry are held regularly, so it's definitely something to keep an eye on.

Espace de Kamine