NEW HORIZONS

Interview with recently appointed President of Seiko Watch Corporation, Akio Naito WORDS

- KELVIN TAN

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?