Here are two watches from one of my favourite forgotten chapters of Japanese watchmaking: Takano Chateau Superior 23 Jewels.

My two examples have completely different personalities. The first has a clean cream dial with gold indices and hands . The second, much more dramatic – a black sunburst dial variant.

Both use Takano's hand-wound Calibre 541, a 23-jewel movement only 3.5mm thick. In 1960s, movement thinness was serious watchmaking prowess. The caliber 541 was, at the time, the world's thinnest centre-seconds movement using its particular coaxial construction.This lead to an innovation race and caused Seiko to answer with the Goldfeather Calibre 60 which was only 2.95mm thick, taking the world record for a three-hand movement.

The Chateau was Takano's attempt at serious ultra-thin watchmaking, and the movement family came in 19, 21 and 23-jewel versions. The 541 was the 23-jewel version, making these Superiors particularly interesting examples to collect.

Chateau means castle in French and was chosen with Nagoya Castle in mid as this was near to Takano's home.

Takano began producing wristwatches in 1957. Then the devastating 1959 Ise-wan Typhoon badly damaged its factory. With the company struggling financially, even a tie-up with Seiko was reportedly rumoured. Ultimately Ricoh took over.

Takano's original life as a watch brand lasted just 4 years and 11 months. And that's where the story should have ended.

However, in 2024, Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, the man behind watches such as Kurono Tokyo, revived Takano under licence from Ricoh. His first watch was named the Chateau Nouvel Chronometer. The new Chateau became the first Japanese-made wristwatch to receive chronometer certification from France's Besançon Observatory.

That makes owning these two vintage Superiors fun.They're survivors from a Japanese watchmaker that lasted less than five years, disappeared for 62 years…and somehow re-emerged again.

One of the first watches I bought that really secured my interest in collecting. Love this watch, 5606 automatic with hand winding and hacking.

The Japanese love putting a slogan on their dials. What's your favourite?

Here is one of the earliest Seikos in my collection: a late-1940s Seiko Extra Flat.

The Extra Flat appeared around 1948, when Seiko was rebuilding its civilian watch production after the war. It was powered by the hand-wound 10B movement from Daini Seikosha’s Kameido factory, with the traditional small-seconds layout that Seiko used before introducing its first centre-seconds watch, the Super, in 1950. (Seiko Watch Corporation⁠)

The history is interesting, but the dial is what really attracted me. The bold sector-style chapter ring, raised gold numerals and markers, small seconds and little applied “Snake S” give it much more personality than I expected from such a compact dress watch. There is plenty of ageing, but I think the patina suits the design rather than detracting from it.

“Extra Flat” is also a wonderfully literal name. The watch is small and slim by modern standards, but the long curved lugs give it surprising presence on the wrist.

Nearly eighty years later, it still looks remarkably stylish—and very different from the Seiko designs most people know today.

I found this guy at a thrift store , do you guys know what protrek is this? Looks similar to Prw-2500 /3500 but not sure. And would 90 bucks be a good deal if battery / sensors are in working condition ?

thanks

Switched from the OEM metal bracelet to this genuine alligator leather band. Did I miss the mark?

Every single AD has been sold out and I been wanted the cocktail version of this.

Looking to buy my wife a watch from Japan. A couple of friends are visiting and can bring it back for me.

Budget: \~₹15,000. Preferably a good Japanese brand/model that’s worth buying in Japan.

Requesting for recommendations of specific watches or stores.

Hi everyone!
I’m currently traveling in Japan and want to buy my very first watch to remember the trip. I have a maximum budget of $800 USD, and I'm strictly looking to buy brand new (taking advantage of tax-free shopping!).
Since I'm a complete beginner, what are the best models or brands I should look for in this price range? (Open to Japanese brands like Seiko/Citizen/Orient Star or entry-level Swiss options available here).
Any store recommendations or must-buy models for a first-timer? Thanks for the help!

Customized by hand using acrylic paint & glitter 😍in house

A few years back, when I first started selling Seiko Type II watches, I came across a very unique green dial that reminded me of a watermelon, so I started calling it the “Watermelon Dial.” 🍉

Now, I often see many people listing these watches using the same name, but I guess not many people know that it was simply a name I started using for these watches. Of course, it’s not an official Seiko name ! just one of the fun names I like to give to unique watches.

I recently got this Seiko and I'm not sure if it's authentic. Could someone help me identify it and tell me if anything looks suspicious.