Last night, Seiko Group Corporation brought “The Gift of Time” to New York, continuing its global exploration of Japanese luxury and the philosophies that shape its expression. Set within Pace Gallery in the heart of New York’s vibrant art scene, the evening offered an immersive exploration of Ma—the space between moments where time is not simply measured but experienced.
Structured around three themes—History, Culture and Space—the exhibition explored Seiko’s relationship with time through a selection of Grand Seiko and Credor timepieces, Japanese culture and craftsmanship, and immersive expressions of time and space. History explored Seiko’s origins and Kintaro Hattori’s belief in sharing the value of time through archival storytelling and historic timepieces. Culture highlighted Japanese design and heritage, including a selection of works presented by Wako, while Space brought the concept of ma into physical form through Kengo Kuma’s Tea House, dedicated to the theme of Time, and an architectural model of Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi.
Hosted by Hiromi Kanagawa, senior executive vice president of Seiko Group Corporation, the evening brought together distinguished voices across architecture, design, horology and culture.
Shinji Hattori, the chairman, group chief executive officer and group chief commercial officer of Seiko Group Corporation virtually welcomed guests at the beginning of the evening, sharing the intention behind bringing “The Gift of Time” to New York City. Reflecting on the meaning of the experience, Hattori explained, “For such a fast-paced, high-energy city, we thought hard about what ’The Gift of Time’ could mean. And decided that the best “gift” for this city would be the gift of Ma(間). In Japanese, 間 means a sense of space, an opening, an emptiness and much more.”
Following his remarks, Senior executive vice president Kanagawa explained to the audience, “I hope you will savor ‘The Gift of Time’ through all five senses—feeling the silence, the space and the gentle flow of time.”
Throughout the evening, guests experienced the world of Seiko’s short film, “The Gift of Time”, directed by Paula Chowles and guided by Hattori, alongside a serene Tea House designed by Kengo Kuma on Pace Gallery’s sixth-floor terrace. Tea master Souyuu Yamazaki of the Urasenke school also led a series of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies within the Tea House, offering an intimate experience of Ma against the backdrop of the New York City skyline.
Celebrated New York chef Hiroki Odo and bartender Takuma Watanabe of Martiny’s brought their talents to the evening, creating an atmosphere of conversation and connection while honoring the Japanese appreciation for seasonality and hospitality. Guests at the event included friends of the brand, luxury tastemakers, fashion media and more.
Coinciding with the evening, Credor hosted an Exclusive Pop Up Experience at the Grand Seiko Flagship Boutique New York, 540 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, on October 1 which ran through November 2, 2026. Visitors were able to explore a curated selection of historic and contemporary Credor timepieces, including the original Locomotive and pieces from Goldfeather and Eichi II collections, showcasing the evolution of Japanese watchmaking and design. The exhibition is open during regular boutique hours, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Ultimately, “The Gift of Time” offered guests something increasingly rare: the opportunity to make space for time itself—and to leave with a renewed appreciation for all that can unfold within it.
