Following the launch of Rinkan, a vintage shop with branches in Tokyo and major cities across Japan, and multi-brand boutique Archive Store, retail company Miraigakyoki Laboratory has inaugurated a new retail format in Tokyo. Dedicated exclusively to trophy watches, the store is aptly named ASKWATCH, situated in the Shinjuku shopping district, and measures approx. 75 sqm. (807 sq.ft.) spread across two lower floors of an early 1970s building. The interior design, created by local practice Kenta Nagai Studio, is understated, raw even, baring the building’s concrete shell, but also implementing a series of modern interventions. Given the compact dimensions of the premises and narrow ground floor entrance, a small Hazama, a traditional antechamber which can usually be found in Shinto temples, was created which hints shoppers what lies beyond.
The ground floor sales room sees exposed concrete walls and ceiling with wall-mounted cabinets and shelving in stainless steel on one side, and two booths encased in white plasterboard on the other. Flooring comprises pebbles, superimposed by concrete tiles and lacquered walnut planking which stretches all the way to the back where a stainless steel sales counter can be found. ASKWATCH stocks an exclusive range of watches by coveted top brands, such as Rolex, IWC, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Hublot and Audemars Piguet. However, the boutique also buys trophy watches, and one floor up, a special purchase space is situated, in addition to a meeting room and a separate space for staff, all captured by a similar palette of exposed concrete and plasterboard. The highly valuable merchandise proved to be a challenge for the design as draconic security measures also needed to be implemented.
ASKWATCH
3-31-5 Shinjuku (Shinjuku)
Tokyo 160-0022
Telephone: +81 800 1701022
Daily 12am-8pm
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