Japan Adventure: Grand Seiko SBGH269 & Rolex GMT

Japan is a watch lover’s heaven. With 10 days of vacation in Japan, I figured I would have the chance to hit up many of the fantastic stores on my list. Alas, traveling with my soon to be 3 year old means my actual achievements are a far cry from my original goal. Nevertheless, traveling let’s you fully enjoy your own watches and those belonging to my friends from Japan and San Diego.

A little photo tour…

Rode 1st class for (perhaps) a once-in-a-lifetime ride due to the EXTREME generosity of my friend. From the encouragement of a friend back home who is a hardcore John Wick fan, I chose to watch Episode 3. Wow, did that movie suck!!! They presented plenty of novel ways to kill bad guys and that was about it. Good enough movie to take a photo I guess…



My two year old had his own seat in 1st as well… did I mention the EXTREMENESS of the aforementioned generosity???



The pilot invited us to the cockpit. Didn’t see what he was wearing but I can report the co-pilot was rocking a 16710. I felt safer already and my son loved the experience!

First breakfast in Tokyo was not Japanese, but when the wife wants pancakes, we eat pancakes. It was a good decision as those suckers are the most deliciously fluffy things I’ve ever tasted.



Moments later the mourning began upon realizing the ephemerality of breakfast.



We took our little Godzilla to a 5 story indoor playground with what felt like a million Japanese kids inside. I am happy to report my son enjoyed their junior WOSTEP program.



Met up for dinner one night with Eric-San at a restaurant in Nakano which primarily serves scallops. Dinner was delicious as was Eric’s Ultraman.











The group photo…



Made it to Ginza to hopefully see something on my radar… a Grand Seiko SBGH269. I can say that if it was on my radar before, it now covers the entire screen. The dial and hands are so good I can easily look past it’s shortcomings, which IMO is an ugly green titanium rotor (inchohesive to the beautiful dial though I am aware of the inspiration behind it) and a case which is a little small for what I typically prefer.





After my visit to Grand Seiko I caught up with my wife and son in the choo-choo section of a 5 story toy store. My watch read the second best of arrangement after 10:08, which is 1:52😉.



Went to an awesome shop in Shibuya called the Real McCoys. There entire store is comprised of the highest quality remakes of American military and motorcycle clothing. A gentleman at the counter was wearing an incredible 5513 with an Amanicoesque NATO strap! I was a little distracted trying on a vest to think of taking a photo. I did however take some a photo of this killer vintage U.S. Army clock which they faithfully wind each day and was spot on timewise.



Off to Kyoto. It was a national holiday and we made it oh so close to our hotel when all traffic ceased for a parade to pass by for a good 20 minutes. It did present a good opportunity to get a quality photo in the back of the cab.



Day 2 in Kyoto. We chose to rent some bikes and get a fun day of exercise biking almost 4 hours to the bamboo forest and back. Having been there before, we decided to check out the otherside of the river which was insanely picturesque.





The next morning a shot from our hotel.



In Osaka we stopped by a store called Yodobashi Camera. Totally bonkers. It feels as if they literally had everything in the world you could need. It’s like a 7 story high Amazon distribution center, complete with 1000+ watches on display. I didn’t see anything that we haven’t seen before, with the exception of these which I had to photograph because they looked fake. I didn’t bother to ask an attendant to pull one out but it was something I hadn’t seen before and didn’t look particulary well made for Longines standards IMO. Perhaps I am incorrect, hmmm...





My buddies AP glistening in the sunshine…



Back in Tokyo for one last day and back to Ginza. We stopped by Wako to see what goodies were in store. My wife found may very well be her GRAIL (beside me of course😉), a Franck Muller Crazy Hour with beautiful red dial in rose gold. I told you she had good taste!





Back again to the toy store...



Last dinner in Tokyo, an all Tuna restaurant called Maguro in Nakano. OH. MY. GOD. it was fantastic.



Heading home I was able to stop by another store carrying GS at the Narita airport. There they had this guy unbeknownst to me. 42mm which is a more preferable size, and while the dial was quite nice, it is not the red bamboo I admire so much. You can also see the detailing is quite different in the lugs and bracelet between the two references.



Another flight, a much better movie! It was funny even before I lost my sobriety.



Thanks for joining my family on our vacation!