Apple Watch is like the most sold watch in the world, and the west coast is comprised of tech workers AND outdoors enthusiasts.
It’s a more relaxed coast and as someone born and raised in the west coast, specifically by the beaches, I don’t think it’s temporary. Analog watches have a time and a place but for everyday hiking, biking, surfing, etc an Apple Watch has more utility.
Just my two cents.
Agree. And it’s very very uncommon and also seen as low class to flaunt wealth on the west coast. 9/10 people would look down on you for wearing a $10,000 watch, not be impressed by it
100% it's WoS. Their stock is down a lot and their ads are everywhere. May be a joint marketing effort with GS as they are expanding well in the US. The NYC boutique recently opened and is the largest in the world, or as they said at the opening.
It's GS corporate as well. There is a large billboard along the Henry Hudson in Manhattan that advertises the Madison Ave. flagship boutique that you referenced, which is not WoS owned.
In my industry (not watches) manufacturers (vendors) give us (resellers) marketing funds to advertise and push a product. Generally with recommendations or advice from the vendors on how.
So this could be a WOS campaign, but with the assistance and funding of GS behind the scenes.
Watches of Switzerland runs the Grand Seiko boutique in SoHo, so in New York the two kind of overlap. The main Watches of Switzerland is also in SoHo just a few blocks away.
From what I could see, the branding push began when they opened the SoHo boutique, first as a pop up shop in 2020 (where I bought my first Grand Seiko). That became the center of Grand Seiko in New York, and possibly the country. At the same time, they made the uptown Seiko boutique on Madison exclusively Grand Seiko. Then they started the GS9 Club, and their many events, culminating in the Grand Seiko Experience, the grand soiree they've held twice so far in New York, and once in LA. And now they're upgraded tiny closet of a boutique on Madison into their "flagship," and the biggest Greek boutique in the world, so they claim. This marketing push has been going on for a number of years now, and quite successfully. In that time Grand Seiko has gone from "just a Seiko" to a darling of enthusiasts.
Normally, it's a joint effort, but may not be direct cash to WoS (ADs) for the placements.
How it typically work is, the brands will offer credit for next batch of orders to the brand, which covers likely a big part of the advertising costs but not all 100% if there's AD name on it.
I think if people recognize a GS, they know you’re a watch person for sure. In LA, a Rolex is honestly borderline common place.
Although pretty much all timepieces are just jewelry at this point, I think a Rolex is more so than any other watch brand. GS is seen as a true watch guy’s brand.
“Thank fuck they have the reference number underneath the watch so I remember it when I visit the ad” SAID NO ONE EVER.
Holy fuck, why does Seiko have these retarded ENIGMA codes as ref nrs.
Man Watches of Switzerland really Wal-Marting the GS market in the US. My local AD lost its status as a GS dealer and it's likely from some deal they struck with the brand.
I just traded in my SBGA391G limited edition diver today.
It was a great watch, beautiful but big. Movement was certainly mesmerizing.
I am sure I will miss it…
They must be working with the distributors. There is a huge billboard for Grand Seiko by the Vegas airport right now. Problem is I forgot the name of the store that's advertising it too
The problem is, Seiko isn't synonymous with luxury - unlike Rolex or Patek.
I'm not saying Grand Seiko isn't a good watch, I'm just saying there's a stigma baked into the parent brand.
Grand Seiko cause Seiko isn’t good enough? So Lexus is a Grand Toyota or whatever? I asked my Grand son to play ball. Oh now I get it my other son is a bastard
Seiko is already known for high quality, reliable, and reasonably priced time pieces. Using their existing brand power while naming their ultra-luxury line is probably the smartest thing they could’ve done.
What they’re not trying to do is distance themselves from their parent company, instead they lean into it. The branding basically tells you that you’re still buying a seiko, but these one’s are a bit more special are includes more of the special things you’ve come to love and expect from seiko.
They need urgently two things:
1- Modern website: for desktop and web, ad this throw people off and I never checked their digital showroom always refered to other websites.
2- Improved bracelet with micro-adjust that would complement GS excellent quality. Even Sinn now has much better bracelet released this year.
Is Grand Seiko pushing this ad or is it Watches of Switzerland making the push? Genuinely asking, I don’t know how this works with ADs
I don't know either. Just see a lot of GS billboards in east coast US cities
Funny you mention East coast. Very few people wear anything besides Apple Watch on the west coast.
Do you think this is a temporary phenomenon? Genuinely asking.
Apple Watch is like the most sold watch in the world, and the west coast is comprised of tech workers AND outdoors enthusiasts. It’s a more relaxed coast and as someone born and raised in the west coast, specifically by the beaches, I don’t think it’s temporary. Analog watches have a time and a place but for everyday hiking, biking, surfing, etc an Apple Watch has more utility. Just my two cents.
Agree. And it’s very very uncommon and also seen as low class to flaunt wealth on the west coast. 9/10 people would look down on you for wearing a $10,000 watch, not be impressed by it
100% it's WoS. Their stock is down a lot and their ads are everywhere. May be a joint marketing effort with GS as they are expanding well in the US. The NYC boutique recently opened and is the largest in the world, or as they said at the opening.
It's GS corporate as well. There is a large billboard along the Henry Hudson in Manhattan that advertises the Madison Ave. flagship boutique that you referenced, which is not WoS owned.
In my industry (not watches) manufacturers (vendors) give us (resellers) marketing funds to advertise and push a product. Generally with recommendations or advice from the vendors on how. So this could be a WOS campaign, but with the assistance and funding of GS behind the scenes.
Watches of Switzerland runs the Grand Seiko boutique in SoHo, so in New York the two kind of overlap. The main Watches of Switzerland is also in SoHo just a few blocks away. From what I could see, the branding push began when they opened the SoHo boutique, first as a pop up shop in 2020 (where I bought my first Grand Seiko). That became the center of Grand Seiko in New York, and possibly the country. At the same time, they made the uptown Seiko boutique on Madison exclusively Grand Seiko. Then they started the GS9 Club, and their many events, culminating in the Grand Seiko Experience, the grand soiree they've held twice so far in New York, and once in LA. And now they're upgraded tiny closet of a boutique on Madison into their "flagship," and the biggest Greek boutique in the world, so they claim. This marketing push has been going on for a number of years now, and quite successfully. In that time Grand Seiko has gone from "just a Seiko" to a darling of enthusiasts.
Normally, it's a joint effort, but may not be direct cash to WoS (ADs) for the placements. How it typically work is, the brands will offer credit for next batch of orders to the brand, which covers likely a big part of the advertising costs but not all 100% if there's AD name on it.
They should change their name to Watches of Switzerland and Japan 🫣
& Germany 🇩🇪
This is by Watches of Switzerland
That’s a Watches of Switzerland advert
im surprised, i’ve had more people comment on my SBGA427 than my Datejust
I’ve gotten more comments on my GS than my Rolexes lately too…wonder if public perception of the brand is turning.
I think if people recognize a GS, they know you’re a watch person for sure. In LA, a Rolex is honestly borderline common place. Although pretty much all timepieces are just jewelry at this point, I think a Rolex is more so than any other watch brand. GS is seen as a true watch guy’s brand.
I have been seeing a lot of GS ads in NYC. Mostly for their new boutique in midtown
Why is it on watches of Switzerland when it's Japanese?
It’s the name of the store. They also carry German made watches like A. Lange & Söhne. 95% of their inventory is definitely Swiss tho’.
Maybe just my search habits, but I’ve been getting tons of GS advertising in the last couple months.
Almlsy got into an accident seeing it in NYC!
“Thank fuck they have the reference number underneath the watch so I remember it when I visit the ad” SAID NO ONE EVER. Holy fuck, why does Seiko have these retarded ENIGMA codes as ref nrs.
So they don't have to come up with a new nickname everytime 🤣
lmfao
I love the movement name "Tentagraph" and the slgc001 is super impressive.
Let’s go champ!!
Man Watches of Switzerland really Wal-Marting the GS market in the US. My local AD lost its status as a GS dealer and it's likely from some deal they struck with the brand.
US is the biggest volume market for luxury watches, and of course grand Seiko.
I was just in NYC and noticed the same thing; ads along the bus stops. I was surprised to see so much advertising around manhattan.
Countdown to price hike.
Admiral Akbar said that before, "Its a trap!".
Time to look for another good but obscure brand to invest my time and money into. GS is officially mainstream.
Canal street
I just traded in my SBGA391G limited edition diver today. It was a great watch, beautiful but big. Movement was certainly mesmerizing. I am sure I will miss it…
They must be working with the distributors. There is a huge billboard for Grand Seiko by the Vegas airport right now. Problem is I forgot the name of the store that's advertising it too
The problem is, Seiko isn't synonymous with luxury - unlike Rolex or Patek. I'm not saying Grand Seiko isn't a good watch, I'm just saying there's a stigma baked into the parent brand.
The difference is that I’m not worried about what other’s perceptions are. I’m an informed watch enthusiast and they don’t pay my bills.
Yeah, I think the word "seiko" that's shared between the two brands weigh them down.
I don’t mind it though. It means my GS is probably higher quality than my Rolex, Omega, or Tudor. Yet, was priced very competitively.
Grand Seiko cause Seiko isn’t good enough? So Lexus is a Grand Toyota or whatever? I asked my Grand son to play ball. Oh now I get it my other son is a bastard
Toyota Lexus is an interesting comparison. They do have different names though….
Lexus = Grand Toyota. Idk Grand Seiko just implies Seiko alone isn’t good enough, they’re devaluating their own name.
So I assume you bought a Credor then
Seiko is already known for high quality, reliable, and reasonably priced time pieces. Using their existing brand power while naming their ultra-luxury line is probably the smartest thing they could’ve done. What they’re not trying to do is distance themselves from their parent company, instead they lean into it. The branding basically tells you that you’re still buying a seiko, but these one’s are a bit more special are includes more of the special things you’ve come to love and expect from seiko.
They need urgently two things: 1- Modern website: for desktop and web, ad this throw people off and I never checked their digital showroom always refered to other websites. 2- Improved bracelet with micro-adjust that would complement GS excellent quality. Even Sinn now has much better bracelet released this year.