With almost four decades of experience within Seiko Watch Corporation, Akio Naito recently rose to take on the helm of the famed Japanese watchmaking company. We took some time to speak to him via email in July 2021 and understand the key points behind Seiko’s recent successes as well as the direction the company is heading.
What were the learnings from your international capacity that you will now bring to Seiko as the leader?
Seiko is a global brand. It is also a brand covering a wide range of price points. Thus, diversity is an important aspect of our business. My experience and learning overseas, along with various positions I took within our organization, through more than 35 years of my career at Seiko, helps me think globally and from many different angles.
What will you do differently from your predecessor? And what will you continue to do the same?
My predecessor and I have very different professional backgrounds. He has much more experience in marketing and sales than I do, and my experience has mainly been in management. I have supported him for four years and often admired his strong leadership in forming marketing and sales strategies. My management style is different and my aim is to arrive at a decision through exchanges of ideas with my staff rather than initiating some new marketing and sales strategies based upon my own experiences.
What do you think Grand Seiko and Seiko have done right to be in such great spotlight today?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Autumn 2021 من World of Watches.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Autumn 2021 من World of Watches.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
DARING VENTURE
Tudor partners Swiss Watch For New Boutique at The Exchange TRX.
GEEKING OUT
The biggest artisanal watch enthusiasts gather in Singapore for a weekend unlike any other in our region of the world.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Once seen as niche players, independent watchmakers are increasingly visible within the industry as reflected in this year's edition of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève.
DYING OF THE LIGHT
Hamilton updates the Khaki Field Murph once again, this time with a sparkling new white dial and a robust stainless steel bracelet.
OPEN SECRET
Ernest Borel left no stone unturned when creating the Grandeur Skeleton duo.
GOTHIC INSPIRED
Ernest Borel's Grandeur Big Date leans into the famed European architectural movement.
LIGHT TOUCH
Maurice Lacroix adds ultra-light titanium options to their ever-expanding Aikon collection.
LAST WORD
Longines introduces a smaller version of the Spirit Zulu, this time in titanium.
RACING PEDIGREE
Bell & Ross brings the worlds of motoring and aerospace together in the BR-X5 Racing.
AUTUMN HUE
Grand Seiko continues its celebration of the 20th anniversary of Calibre 9R with the limited edition SBGA499.