Would You Like a Watch With That Wine?

New York Times

10-06-2025

I first stumbled upon the Perregaux cafe one evening last fall as I was walking around the Kagurazaka area of Tokyo looking for a place to have a glass of wine before a dinner reservation. Its outdoor seating and French-style chalkboard menu caught my eye and then — although perhaps I should have guessed from the name — I discovered it also sells and repairs vintage watches.
In all the years I have written about watches (and eaten at cafes), I had never encountered a place that combined both interests. 'It's probably the only place of this type in the world,' said its owner, Kunio Sado, 70.
As for the name, 'it's an homage to François Perregaux,' Mr. Sado said, referring to the 19th-century Swiss watchmaker and businessman who is credited with bringing the first Swiss wristwatches to Japan.
Inside the 20-seat cafe, jazz music was playing and the furnishings included a Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos, a 1960s version of the celebrated table clock, which Mr. Sado said was not for sale. 'The interior is based on all my inspiration from travels and feelings that stayed with me,' he said.
Mr. Sado's interest in horology began in the 1970s. Over the years that followed, while he supervised air traffic control for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, he accumulated 700 to 800 pieces, many of which he now is selling in the shop.
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