Time is gold for many Filipinos, literally and figuratively. Despite the rise of smart watches, a lot of us still prefer the good old traditional watch. After all, they’re not just a timepiece, they’re also an investment.
The owners and collectors of Grand Seiko watches know this well, and they’ll love owning their watches even more as the brand launches its exclusive community, the Grand Seiko GS9 Club. Here’s what you need to know about it.
Is Grand Seiko the Same as Seiko?
Before we start discussing the GS9 Club, let’s talk about the difference between a Seiko watch and a Grand Seiko watch.
Seiko Holdings Corporation, more commonly known as Seiko, is a diverse company under the Seiko Group that makes watches, clocks, jewelries, and electronic devices. It’s a popular brand that’s more on the entry-level since its timepieces are almost entirely machine-manufactured.
Grand Seiko, on the other hand, is a premium brand that’s said to have the same (or even higher) quality as high-end Swiss brands — thanks to its handmade features and higher-grade materials. It was Seiko’s high-class sub-brand until it became independent in 2017, with the aim to transition to a true luxury brand.
In short, both watches come from the same parent company but are under separate brands that have their own distribution network and services. Expect any Grand Seiko watch to be more on the luxurious side since the brand pays more attention to the pieces it releases.
What is GS9 Club and What are the Perks?
Grand Seiko launched the Grand Seiko GS9 Club to further strengthen its presence and connection with the Philippine market. Originally exclusive to Japan, it’s a membership-only group for Grand Seiko watch owners and collectors. The club started in 2015 and is gradually expanding to its international market, including the United States and the Philippines.
After joining, GS9 Club members will become part of a community that allows them to receive special gifts and invites for curated events. They’ll also be given first access to exclusive content that showcases the brilliant designers and craftsmen behind the brand.
Edric Dy, marketing head of Timeplus Corporation, which is the distributor of Grand Seiko in the Philippines, revealed during a virtual launch on March 25, 2022, that more events will follow and once allowed, members will have a chance to do factory tours at the Seiko headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
How Do You Register and Become a Member?
Registration is open to Grand Seiko owners who purchased their timepieces from an authorized boutique, salon, or mastershop in the Philippines. Sadly, not all owners are qualified, as the purchase should have been made from March 23, 2017, onwards only.
Upon registration, the club will ask for personal information and details regarding the watch. These include the watch model or reference number, serial number, case back number, date of purchase, and name of retailer where the watch was purchased.
A clear photo of the watch and a proof of purchase, either a sales receipt or a copy of a valid and completed warranty slip, must also be submitted. The images shouldn’t exceed 10mb in size and must be in .jpg or .png format.
For more information, owners and collectors can visit Grand Seiko’s website or the official e-boutique.
