Meet the Watchmakers and Order Custom Models

Established in Switzerland in 1985, the Académie Horlogère Des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) is an organization for independent watchmakers who pursue their creative endeavors without affiliation to any manufacturer. In the past, its roster included the late George Daniels, inventor of the Omega Co-Axial escapement, and Franck Muller, whose name is also known as a global watch brand.inventor of the Omega Co-Axial escapement, and Franck Muller, whose name is also known as a global watch brand.Franck MullerCurrently, two Japanese members, Hajime Asaoka and Masahiro Kikuno, are part of the academy.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of AHCI's founding, Matsuya Ginza will host an event for independent watchmakers from Friday, July 10th to Tuesday, July 14th.

At the "World of Independent Watchmakers" exhibition on the 8th floor, mechanical complex watches and their creation processes will be showcased in 4K Super Hi-Vision. New works, blueprints, and components by Masahiro Kikuno, along with Antoine Preziuso's 2015 new creations, will be on display. Both Kikuno and Preziuso are expected to attend.

The "Special Order Sales Commemorating the Exhibition" in the special room on the 7th floor will feature new works by eight independent watchmakers (listed below) announced at "Baselworld 2015." Custom models can be ordered upon request. Additionally, there will be a talk show by Masayuki Hirota, editor-in-chief of the watch magazine "Chronos Japan" (July 10th, 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM), and opportunities to interact with Japanese watchmakers Hajime Asaoka and Masahiro Kikuno, as well as independent watchmakers visiting from Switzerland (July 10th-12th, three days). It promises to be a packed event.

The independent watchmakers scheduled for order sales are Svend Andersen, Mikki Eleta (in person), Paul Gerber, Aniceto Jimenez Pita (in person), Christian Van Der Klaauw, Ludovic Ballouard (in person), Marc Jenni, and Hajime Asaoka (in person).

Featuring 4K Super Hi-Vision footage and an exhibition,
"The World of Independent Watchmakers"
(Matsuya Ginza 8F Event Square)

Concurrently held,
Commemorating "The World of Independent Watchmakers"
Japan's First Solo Exhibition and Special Order Sales Event
(Matsuya Ginza 7F Special Room)

Period | Friday, July 10th - Tuesday, July 14th, 2015
Hours | Both venues: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Last day until 5:00 PM)
Venue | Matsuya Ginza (8F Event Square & 7F Special Room)
Address | 3-6-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Admission | Free for both venues