Check out Wako's new service, "Grand Seiko Fine Vintage Watches"

Have you heard of "Grand Seiko Fine Vintage Watches"? This is a new service offered by Wako, the flagship retailer of Grand Seiko worldwide, and it can best be described as "purchasable museum pieces." Enjoy the many rare pieces on display on the second floor of the Wako Main Building in Ginza.

"Purchasable Museum Pieces" on the second floor of Wako Main Building

　Wako is a symbol of Ginza. The Grand Seiko Boutique Flagship Wako on the first and second floors, which was renovated in 2020, is the flagship store of Grand Seiko retailers worldwide and is a special boutique that embodies the brand's worldview.

　The first floor, with its high ceilings and rows of circular showcases arranged around thick pillars, displays a wide range of Grand Seiko watches, boasting the largest selection of Grand Seiko watches in Japan.The second floor is a relaxing lounge space designed to resemble the owner's living space.

　In addition to always having a selection of current high-priced models, including those made from precious metals and limited editions, the store also has a library displaying valuable documents and models, creating a luxurious space where you can feel the history of Grand Seiko.

　Lined up in one corner of the bar counter are the Grand Seiko Fine Vintage Watches we will be introducing today. As the name suggests, this collection focuses on vintage Grand Seiko watches, limited to models manufactured between the 1960s and early 70s and equipped with mechanical movements.

　The company sells watches in excellent condition that have been overhauled and adjusted by specialized Grand Seiko repair technicians at the Grand Seiko Service Studio, which handles Grand Seiko repairs and maintenance, and then sell them in stores.

　What all the watches on display here have in common is that they are in such good condition that they are comparable to new ones. The sight of beautiful 61GS VFA, 56GS, 45GS, and other watches lined up makes you feel like you're touring the Seiko Museum. Opportunities to actually purchase what could be called museum pieces are extremely rare.

　Not only the movement, but the exterior has also been polished and restored to the same condition as when it was first sold. Among them, there are many that are in good condition and have not had any alterations to the exterior. A salesperson at Wako says, "By actually owning an item in its original condition, we want customers to feel for themselves that the essence of Grand Seiko has not changed since then."

　Now, the question here is probably price. First of all, Grand Seiko Fine Vintage Watches are by no means cheap compared to other vintage watches on the market. Specific prices vary greatly depending on the model and condition, so we won't go into them here. However, after seeing the condition of the actual watch, I felt that there were plenty of factors that made it worth more than the price, including the one-year retailer warranty included.

　Wako is the only store that stocks Grand Seiko fine vintage watches. This service began in late December 2020, but it is not widely known at present because it was only announced in a single newspaper ad shortly after it began. If you're interested, why not try your hand at the rare pieces lined up on the second floor of Wako?

Grand Seiko Boutique Flagship Wako

[Location] Wako Main Building 1st and 2nd Floors, 4-5-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
[Business Hours] 10: 30-19: 00
[Telephone number] 03-3562-2111 (main)