Seiko No Longer at U.S. Boutiques

[swish77]

I'm told that Seikos will no longer be sold at its U.S. boutiques, only Grand Seikos. Very interesting, and a little sad. The change is supposed to happen gradually through the rest of the year.

I used to love stopping by the NYC boutique on Madison to look at all the offerings, regardless of whether they were Seiko or Grand Seiko. So, that's means you wouldn't even be able to buy, say, the new SLA037 re-issue diver at a U.S. boutique, which is crazy.

Anyone else hear this? (Sorry if it's old news. Searched and didn't find anything.)

[Chewbacca]

Sad yes. Smart business move.

Differentiations from the mainline Seiko catalog is critical as GS goes even more premium.

[kevn00]

how about for servicing

[Cru Jones]

Grand Seiko being a separate company in the US, this moves makes perfect sense. Would you expect to see VW at an Audi dealership?

[SunTzu]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Would you expect to see VW at an Audi dealership?

I got a new Audi A3 in February and turned in my VW lease at the Audi dealership. They were willing to take it from me. I was waiting for the disposition fee from VW and it was waived because I'm making my current Audi payments to VW Credit! Saved me $300.00

But I agree. Grand Seiko must stand on it's own and differentiate itself from the Seiko line. If they want to be known as the luxury high end quality that we all know that they are; they must advertise and look the part. Nobody has done as an amazing job at branding and oozing luxury than Rolex. Grand Seiko has an opportunity.

They can have other stores and flagship ones in major cities for ALL the Seikos in the Seiko line. Plenty of authorized jewelry stores that will carry the higher end Seikos. That's where I'm getting my SPB145 from.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Grand Seiko being a separate company in the US, this moves makes perfect sense. Would you expect to see VW at an Audi dealership?

Fair point, but I can still buy a Mini at a BMW dealer.

As far as a purchase experience, so much nicer to buy a Seiko from a boutique, as opposed to a run-of-the-mill dealer. Heck, Macy's carries Seikos, but I wouldn't want to buy a watch there (with all due respect to that fine department store.)

I wonder what they'll do with limited-edition, special Seikos, such as the new re-issues, which are over $6000. I can't imagine those will be available at regular dealers who are also selling $200 Seikos.

[Ny325]

Yes, that’s true.

[1William]

I have not heard that but ok if that is the way they want to go. I would believe that the higher end LE/SE Seiko watches will also be Boutique bound.

[Pocosso]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Grand Seiko being a separate company in the US, this moves makes perfect sense. Would you expect to see VW at an Audi dealership?

In Europe is quite common.

Truth is that Tudor and Rolex are in the same Boutique.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 1William

I have not heard that but ok if that is the way they want to go. I would believe that the higher end LE/SE Seiko watches will also be Boutique bound.

That would make sense, but I don't think that's the case. I'm told the NYC boutique will not be getting any of the LE 55th Anniversary dive watches, for example.

[VintageVagabound]

Yes but you can buy Seiko’s at many other US retailers including Macy’s, Dillard’s, etc. I think they found it wasn’t necessary to sell them at a boutique especially when they’re trying to sell $8,000 Grand Seiko’s that are sitting next to a $500 watch.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Pocosso

In Europe is quite common.

Truth is that Tudor and Rolex are in the same Boutique.

Yes, but even here in Europe, GS is putting in place GS-exclusive boutiques (see Paris’s new boutique at place Vendôme).

As for Tudor, they never are at “Rolex boutiques” (as far as I know), but ADs that carry multiple brands carry both, sure.

[dchang81]

every time i've been to the beverly hills boutique they said they never officially carried non grand seiko models. they had the sla025 and sla033 at times, but they couldn't order a non GS for me. i guess kind of a moot point when there are plenty of other dealers around offering discounts.