Seiko Designers Yu Ishihara and Yuya Suganuma Reveal Their Vision at the Seiko Power Project Exhibition
Yu Ishihara and Yuya Suganuma showcase their inventive approaches at the Seiko Power Design Project exhibition, where the brand encourages in‑house designers to break free from commercial constraints. Ishihara, known for the Grand Seiko Kodo Constant‑Force Tourbillon, emphasizes the interplay of movement and case architecture, using the Japanese concept of ma to treat negative space as a vital design element. His experimental pieces, such as a vampire‑themed watch with a red‑gradient bezel, illustrate how conceptual ideas can influence practical horology. Suganuma, director of the modern Seiko 5 Sports line, views watches as personal style statements for younger audiences. His Ninja Stealth Watch transforms a discreet everyday model into a homage to shinobi heritage, featuring a deer‑hide strap and an openable case for visibility in darkness. Both designers bypass traditional sketches, moving directly from brief notes to 3D CAD models, proving that imagination thrives when freed from typical production limits.
Buying Time Analysis: This story highlights the significance of Seiko’s Power Design Project as a platform that frees designers to push creative boundaries, blending horological innovation with cultural storytelling, and demonstrates how such experimental freedom can lead to groundbreaking and culturally resonant watch concepts.
