Arrived at Shiojiri, Nagano train station..temperature in Shiojiri was between 6 degrees to -1…that's why I'm all layered up..
Waiting for a cab outside Shiojiri station
Taking a cab to Epson Seiko, a 2 km ride costs Yen 1,300 (RM 40+)
Arriving at Epson Seiko factory
Welcome shot at the lobby- its so cool that the SBGC003 that I happen to be wearing today, amongst all my GS is used as a display for the main banners in the lobby
Some shots taken beside the display cases in the lobby
The Spring Drive Space Walk, Landmaster Miura Limited Edition and Tuna, all designed by Hoshino-san…
I've got the Spring Drive gold Tuna.. now to get hold of the other 2...
Hoshino-san & Hosokawa-san saying Ichiban….
Briefing on history of Seiko in Epson Seiko Shiojiri's mini museum… the main museum is at another location
First quartz clock explanation by Imai-san, the senior team leader conducting the briefing…
How Spring Drive works
Display of historical Seiko & Grand Seiko watches kept in mint condition
NOTE: One of the ladies' diamond encrusted watch in the last picture costs Yen 300 Million which was produced for the Empress of Japan many years back…. just imagine the cost today...
Entering the Takumi workshop
Their team of top watch makers
Japanese government's award for watch making competition- gold, silver and bronze winners by GS watchmakers
Meeting Keiko-san, the team leader and watch maker of the SBGC003, one of the GS in my collection…a very humble and nice lady who kept thanking me for buying the watch she and her team produces...
Moteki-san in charge of the Micro Artist Studio (producing the Credor Minute Repeater, Sonnerie, Credor enamel, porcelain and hand engraved dial models) explaining the workings of both watches and the making of the other Credor hand engraved and Noritake porcelain dial watches. He insisted that I should try out both the Minute Repeater and Sonnerie both on and off the wrist to hear and and feel the vibrations of the Myochin metal gongs… heavenly
Moteki-san also informed me that Philippe Dufour was invited to Seiko to share his expertise on how he executes his fine finishing techniques, which was then adopted by Grand Seiko. This I already read about a long time ago and was now confirmed by the horse's mouth…
At more than RM 1 Million dollars each, these 2 watches will have to remain beyond my reach….
A group picture with the senior engineers/project team leaders, designers involved in all the Grand Seiko models..
Imai-san (senior team leader GS production), Hoshino-san (designer of Spring Drive Tuna, Space Walk, Landmaster Miura Limited, Seiko Izul, etc), Moteki-san (Head of Micro Artist Studio), Hosokawa-san (Project Team leader of various projects including the GS SD SBGC series).
A bonus was that all 4 of them autographed 1 set of the latest GS catalogue for me.
Hoshino-san specially autographed the page of the Spring Drive Tuna Limited Edition that he designed and owned by me.
He was very delighted that 4 MWF members own this Limited Edition watch designed by him knowing that each country received only between 2-4 pieces each.
Hosokawa-san gave me a souvenir, a different version dial of the SBGC003 I own (the gift was a glossy dial whereas my watch has a matt dial). Will take a macro pic and post up subsequently…
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank Imai-san, Hoshino-san, Moteki-san and Hosokawa-san for taking time off their very busy schedules to conduct the powerpoint presentation, answering questions, conducting the factory tours, allowing me to take pics although there were very prominent signs forbidding taking pics at every corner of the factory.
I am deeply honored by their humbleness and kindness throughout the entire 3.5 hour tour and their genuine warmness is very obvious. Their immense pride and seriousness in approaching their work is contagious. I am proud to own the product of their meticulous and detailed work. Ganbatte….
A final picture outside Epson Seiko with some GS catalogues given to me..
I was allowed to take pics of their production rooms and processes but I've promised to get clearance from Imai-san before I post them up…
Although I took more than 100 pics, a lot of pics have yet to be posted up but my photo bucket account is now locked as I've reached my limit.
Do re-visit to get more detailed updates from time to time….
I'm still busy unpacking and need to run errands before starting work tomorrow so time limits me to posting up these few pics first with very brief comments...