In 1846 Ishihara Mansuke established "Ishihara Watch Shop" near Minami-Kyuhojicho in Osaka. In 1875, Ishihara Hisanosuke, who succeeded Mansuke, opened "Ishihara Watch Shop" in Minami-Kyuhojicho. In addition to selling clocks and other items, the three-story brick building with its towering clock tower also housed a store specializing in imported goods such as bicycles, cameras, and musical instruments.
Shinsaibashi Ishihara Watch Store.
In 1889, together with clock merchants from Keihan, they established the Osaka Clock Manufacturing Company to manufacture wall and table clocks. In 1895, they became the first company in the Kansai business community to manufacture domestically produced pocket watches.
In 1915, a reinforced concrete building was completed at the south end of Shinsaibashi, and the company moved from Minami-Kuhojicho. The Secession-style building featured an open-ceiling hall on the fourth floor, a clock tower on the rooftop, and a garden with a fountain. The building was well-equipped with mahogany handrails on the staircase, elevators, shutters, and more.
Commemorative Celebration of the Completion of Ishihara Watch Shop, 1915 / Ishihara Watch Shop, January 1918
In 1931, Ishihara Masazo became the third generation to inherit the family business, and in 1939, the "Chuo Building" was completed on the southwest corner of Yodoyabashi. Inspired by Western architecture during his travels abroad, Masazo commissioned the Mitsuhashi Shinmizu Architectural Office to focus on the exterior and interior design of the building. In 1954, the building was renamed "Chuo Building" to "Ishihara Building." In 1964, Ishihara Watch Shop decided to reopen in the "Ishihara Building." In 2013, " The Story of Ishihara Watch Shop " (by Ishihara Minoru, Kaifusha) was published. The store
is now operating in Bakuro-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka https://ishiharatokei.co.jp/.
Shinsaibashi Ishihara Watch Store.
In 1889, together with clock merchants from Keihan, they established the Osaka Clock Manufacturing Company to manufacture wall and table clocks. In 1895, they became the first company in the Kansai business community to manufacture domestically produced pocket watches.
In 1915, a reinforced concrete building was completed at the south end of Shinsaibashi, and the company moved from Minami-Kuhojicho. The Secession-style building featured an open-ceiling hall on the fourth floor, a clock tower on the rooftop, and a garden with a fountain. The building was well-equipped with mahogany handrails on the staircase, elevators, shutters, and more.
Commemorative Celebration of the Completion of Ishihara Watch Shop, 1915 / Ishihara Watch Shop, January 1918
In 1931, Ishihara Masazo became the third generation to inherit the family business, and in 1939, the "Chuo Building" was completed on the southwest corner of Yodoyabashi. Inspired by Western architecture during his travels abroad, Masazo commissioned the Mitsuhashi Shinmizu Architectural Office to focus on the exterior and interior design of the building. In 1954, the building was renamed "Chuo Building" to "Ishihara Building." In 1964, Ishihara Watch Shop decided to reopen in the "Ishihara Building." In 2013, " The Story of Ishihara Watch Shop " (by Ishihara Minoru, Kaifusha) was published. The store
is now operating in Bakuro-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka https://ishiharatokei.co.jp/.