Outside that, there was a lot to see, let me share some of the parts I most liked. Seiko has a new limited-edition Grand Seiko, with a deep brown dial that appears black in most light. Brown dials sound like a bad idea, but this one is actually lovely.

Just below the minute hand you can see the dial texture – Seiko does this very well indeed.

The high-beat (36,000 vph, or 10Hz) movements are nice to see. The second hand movements are smaller and faster, very hypnotic.

Also under “very rare,” the yellow gold 44GS next to the Spring Drive snowflake in rose gold, white gold and yellow gold. I probably had drool on my chin at this point.

Owner Mitch had an amazing find. A rare Grand Seiko 4522 high-beat, in solid gold. Get this – it was a gift from Emperor Hirohito to a McDonnell Douglas executive! Yeah, a Seiko from the Emperor of Japan… that’s provenance of an extraordinary sort.

The Astron line of GPS-receiving watches was also highlighted. Seiko USA presented one of the limited edition Kintaro Hattori to Joe Kirk for his work in popularizing them in the US.

… and yes, he already had his personal Astron on his wrist, so jealousy seems a reasonable reaction. Joking aside, Joe is a great person, very knowledgeable about their watches and not pushy at all. I wish more watch salespeople were like him!

I had a great time. My thanks once again for the hospitality, and I hope to return next year. Or sooner, if I can find the funds for that titanium Grand Seiko diver I’ve been thinking about. azfinetime.com