News 
An “Independent Watch & Art Salon,” a concept space blending independent high-end watch brands—primarily from Switzerland—with contemporary art, has been launched. Its first location will open in March 2026 at the JR Nagoya Takashimaya Watch Maison.
In April of last year, approximately 60 major brands exhibited at Watches and Wonders Geneva, while around 130 brands participated in independent-brand-focused exhibitions held during the same period. This highlighted the growing attention being paid to independent watch brands. Amid this trend, Japan has attracted strong interest from independent brands worldwide as a mature market that deeply appreciates craftsmanship and the philosophies behind these creations, while fostering their long-term value.
Against this backdrop, Mugino & Co Inc. launched a new initiative driven by the desire to create a venue in Japan where the works of independent Swiss watch brands can be conveyed accurately and in depth. This vision gave rise to the “Independent Watch & Art Salon,” an experiential, directly operated, permanent salon project dedicated exclusively to independent high-end watch brands.
Independent watch brands, characterized by their small-scale production, embody the maker’s philosophy and craftsmanship in each individual piece. This gives them a strong affinity with contemporary art. By presenting watches and artworks within the same space, watches can be appreciated not only as mechanical instruments but also as expressions of form, while art can be understood not merely as objects for viewing, but as manifestations of thought. In doing so, the unique appeal of each becomes more vividly illuminated through the presence of the other.
This salon has been conceived as a space that presents watches not merely as products, but as comprehensive cultural expressions encompassing design philosophy, mechanical beauty, material selection, and the ethos of their makers. It also features exhibitions and sales of contemporary art, creating an environment in which watches and art mutually enhance one another’s value. Through cross-disciplinary dialogue and immersive experiences, the salon aspires to inspire new sensibilities and discoveries.
As a new cultural platform that introduces multiple independent brands in a cross-disciplinary manner, this salon will open its first location in March 2026 at the Watch Maison Gallery within JR Nagoya Takashimaya Watch Maison. It will primarily showcase independent Swiss luxury watch brands, including HYT, L. Leroy, BREVA, Singer Reimagined, and others.
Looking ahead, the platform plans to expand into major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. In the future, it aims to grow into a comprehensive cultural hub through initiatives such as hosting independent watch fairs at leading department stores and specialty watch retailers across Japan, organizing traveling exhibitions in collaboration with the art world, and developing joint projects with participating brands.
Independent Watch & Art Salon
Address:JR Nagoya Takashimaya Watch Maison Gallery
1st Floor, Dai-Nagoya Building, 3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
Contacts: Mugino & Co Inc. (Office Mugino) TEL：03-5422-8087
March 17, 2026
