Articles published in March 2020
What is the first watch that inspired these watch sages, and the last watch they aspire to own - the so-called "final watch"? In this series, we interview key figures in the watch industry and glimpse into their watch-related lives and philosophies through their answers. This time, we spoke with Tetsuo Takekawa of Watch and Jewelry Takekawa, which has six stores in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. The watch that Takekawa cited as his starting point was Seiko, and the "final watch" he cited was a reproduction model of the original Grand Seiko. Let's hear what he has to say.
Mr. Tetsuo Takekawa
Tetsuo Takekawa, President and CEO of Takekawa Co., Ltd.
Born in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. After studying economics at a university in Tokyo, he joined Takekawa Co., Ltd. He has been in his current position since August 2019.
Takekawa Yoshio, the founder of Takekawa Watches and Jewelry, was born in Yokohama. After training at a watch shop in Tokyo, he moved to Utsunomiya upon marriage and opened his own shop in 1915. The original store was destroyed in wartime, but Tetsuo's father, Keishi, rebuilt it and also opened the Takekawa Tobu store within the Tobu Utsunomiya Department Store, located across the street. After Tetsuo joined management, the company's expansion accelerated with the opening of the G-TIME store, Watch Maison TAKEKAWA, Takekawa Breitling store, and Brilliant TAKEKAWA store in Orion Street, the arcade-style shopping street where the main store is located.
"Watches and Jewelry Takekawa" official website https://www.takekawa-t.com/
The original watch was the Seiko 5 Sports Speed Timer
Q. Tell us about the first watch you ever owned.
A. It's a Seiko 5 Sports Speed Timer that my father gave me before I entered high school. In the days before cell phones, wristwatches were essential for high school students who commuted to school far away by bicycle or train, and so they were a standard gift for high school entrance ceremonies. However, quartz watches were not yet common, and mechanical watches were much more luxurious than they are today. So, getting a watch as a high school student was a big deal. I began looking excitedly at store display cases from an early age, and by the end of the summer of my third year of junior high school, I had decided I wanted this watch. My father initially opposed it, saying it was "too extravagant for you," but I persisted and he finally bought it for me. I still keep it safe in a drawer in my office.
I took it out for the first time in a while today. Everything works except for the chronograph second hand. It hasn't been subjected to any impact, so it's probably just out of oil, not broken. It's been a while since I last used it, since I replaced my watch with a quartz movement when I was a university student. It's a nostalgic feeling.
The "Agari" watch is a reproduction of the original Grand Seiko
Q. Tell us about the dream watch that you hope to own one day, the so-called "previous generation watch."
A. I want to leave my "finished watch" to future generations, so I'll choose one that I can use for a long time. It doesn't matter which brand it's made by or which famous watchmaker it is, but rather that I can trust it with maintenance in case of a malfunction and continue to use it with peace of mind. The watches made by independent watchmaker Philippe Dufour are surprisingly simple. His greatest priority is "traditional Swiss watchmaking," and as long as these traditional techniques are preserved, his watches will never fade. In terms of manufacturers, Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Seiko watches would also fall into the same category. If I had to choose one watch right now, I'd go with a Grand Seiko. Among the upcoming reissues of the original Grand Seiko, if there's a durable platinum model, it would be a good choice.
Afterword
During the interview, Takekawa showed me a watch, saying, "Although it doesn't fit the definition of this article, this is also the watch that inspired me." It was a keepsake he received from a customer. As he looked at the watch, his eyes grew even more gentle as he recalled the time he received it. This moment, which reaffirmed to me that the relationship between a person and a watch shop can be a special one, made a strong impression on me. However, not all watch shops can become like that. I glimpsed the reason for this in Takekawa's policy.
The wide-ranging study required to obtain qualifications leads to the acquisition of deep knowledge. Takekawa himself holds a first-class watch repair technician qualification and encourages his employees to obtain it as well. This is based on Takekawa's belief that "we, as retailers, have a responsibility to thoroughly explain to customers (especially those purchasing a mechanical watch for the first time) the need for an overhaul and differences in posture, based on the watch's structure and logic." Takekawa laughs, saying, "Sometimes my acquaintances in the same industry have asked me if it's really necessary to go to such lengths," but it is this rigor and sincerity that has created such a rich emotional connection between the store and its customers.
