WATCH & JEWELRY /
WATCH NEWS
August 18, 2015
World Watch Fair Held at Summer's Annual Event "Ikebukuro Tobu" | TOBU IKEBUKURO
TOBU IKEBUKURO | Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro
A Gathering of Select New Timepieces
2015 Tobu World Watch Fair Opens August 20
New models have begun arriving in Japan one after another. For watch enthusiasts, the display windows of watch shops become a point of interest this time of year. During this period, the venerable Tobu Department Store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, hosts its annual World Watch Fair, bringing together new luxury timepieces all in one place.
Text by KAWADA Akinori
Celebrating its 15th Anniversary with Special Events
The Tobu World Watch Fair, a highly anticipated event for watch fans, is held annually at Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro. This major exhibition, set in the spacious event hall of a large department store, showcases select new releases from Swiss watch fairs such as SIHH and WPHH . It has become a yearly tradition, and this year's event will take place from August 20th to 25th.Baselworld . It has become a yearly tradition, and this year's event will take place from August 20th to 25th.
This World Watch Fair marks its 15th anniversary this year, counting from the first event in 2001. Under the theme, "The 15th anniversary『Tradition and The New challenge of Watches』"—in essence, "Towards the Further Development and New Journey of Watch Culture"—the fair will introduce the tradition cultivated through the long history of watchmaking and innovative technologies, not only through products but also through events.
In particular, it will feature a comprehensive collection of new and popular models from various brands aiming to balance "heritage" and "innovation." Furthermore, it will spotlight esteemed "Japanese Brands," showcasing Japanese technology and the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship, which are highly regarded internationally. The event schedule during the fair is also packed with activities.
Girard-Perregaux will host talk shows by watch journalists and offer guided tours of their displays with these journalists acting as concierges. Seiko, Citizen, and Breitling will each hold assembly and disassembly demonstrations. This is a chance to get a close look not only at the secrets behind the intricate mechanisms and beautiful exteriors but also at the processes by which they are created, promising six days to truly experience the "heritage" and "innovation" of watchmaking technology.
【Main Event Details】
Watch Journalist
Mr. Masamasa Hirota
August 20 (Thursday)
14:00– Talk Show by Masamasa Hirota
Watch journalist Masamasa Hirota will explain Girard-Perregaux's advanced technologies and unique collections.
August 22 (Saturday)
11:00– Assembly Demonstration by Etsuko Hashiba
Assembly demonstration of the "Campanola" by Ms. Etsuko Hashiba, Citizen's first Super Meister.
13:00–, 15:00– Spring Drive Assembly Demonstration
Demonstration of Spring Drive assembly by Yuki Nakano, a silver medalist at the 50th National Skills Competition in watch repair.
13:00–, 17:00– Breitling Latest Movement Disassembly Demonstration
Disassembly and assembly demonstration by Shigeru Hayashi, Breitling Technical Trainer.
Lifestyle Writer
Mr. Tetsuo Shinoda
14:00– Talk Show by Tetsuo Shinoda
Lifestyle writer Tetsuo Shinoda will propose how to choose watches that match the interpretation and style of Girard-Perregaux's watch designs.
16:00– Assembly Demonstration by National Skills Competition Medalists
Demonstration of the assembly of The Citizen (mechanical watch) by medalists from the "Watch Repair" category of the 52nd National Skills Competition.
August 23 (Sunday)
13:00–, 16:00– Watch Dial Engraving (Simplified Characters) Experience
2015 Tobu World Watch Fair
Period: August 20 (Thursday) – August 25 (Tuesday)
Hours: 10:00–20:00 (Last day until 17:00)
Location: Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, 8F Event Hall (Second Venue: 6F Watch Salon)
Inquiries
Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro
Tel. 03-3981-2211 (Main Switchboard)
https://www.tobu-dept.jp/