Dedegumo Watch Store Soft-Opens at 188 Orchard Street

Since the Jelana Behrand Studio relocated to 181 Chrystie Street last May, 188 Orchard Street has given the rest of the block a dose of silent treatment.  Vacant. Quiet. Not a peep.  But the six-month period of silence was broken in early October when work began on a new concept for the space.  No, not a Zucco’s expansion!  Bottom line here, the renovated storefront will remain in the jewelry business.

The self-imposed, forty-four-day Twitter countdown just expired, and the newcomer is nearly ready for action. Meet Dedegumo, a jewelry joint offering a selection of handmade artisanal watches designed in Kyoto, but crafted on premises. Indeed, watchmakers will allegedly assemble the timepieces in a quasi-window booth up front.

[Photo Credit: Metal Factory Japan]

One of the architects onsite informed us last night that today is the soft opening, with a launch party scheduled for later tonight.  We were also told that there will be product in display cases for beer-goggled customers to peruse and purchase. Official opening of Dedegumo is sometime next week.

Dedegumo is a Japanese-based watchmaker with three stores in Kyoto.  This new Lower East Side locale on Orchard Street represents their big stateside push. Only one question – will they carry this watch?