Just back from Land of Rising Sun after a 2 week vacation covering Central Japan, visiting touristy spots and getting an hour or two of window shopping each day at watch and camera stores;
Takashimaya, Wako, Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, Isetan, Yodobashi, BIC Watch, Watch.Shop…..
Checked out Seiko Flightmasters, MarineMasters, Tunas and lots of the latest Seiko Brightz/Phoenix/Prospex JDMs as well as Citizen Chronometers & Orient Stars but none of them looked right on my wrist as they're too small or the designs were just not right.
There were several excellent Seiko Cal 8R chronograph movements that had great specs but not great looks. Besides, how many chronos can one have...
Finally came across one single piece that looked unique to me ;
Ananta Naoki Sakai Limited Edition (1000 pieces) in one of the watch stores. Never saw it again any other store thereafter. This LTD was launched sometime late 2011.
Will try to take some decent proper macro shots one of these weekends to properly display the fantastic finishing of the case & deployant folding clasp..
Movt is the run of the mill 6R21 but quite well regulated. Running between -2 to +3 secs/day depending on the position that you leave it standing on..
The high price is mainly for the PVD/DLC finishing which is really very fine and highly polished…
The hour indexes are not painted on but they are actually raised from the dial. The 3D effect can only be seen it the metal and hard to show from the photo. The SEIKO/Ananta/Automatic words & 5 to 35 minutes indexes are printed on the underside of the top sapphire crystal so they look like they are floating...
Can't find any info online to confirm whether its PVD or DLC..the Seiko sales rep said it was DLC. Online search says its Seiko's own proprietary coating...
You can read more abt it here-
http://www.azfinetime.com/seiko-ananta-naoki-sakai-limited-edition/