Kurono by Hajime Asaoka

[AlyRba]

If you don’t know, Hajime Asaoka is a high end independent watchmaker based in Japan. His watches start at $55,000, so essentially top tier of indie watchmaking.

Kurono by Hajime Asaoka is a charity project by the watchmaker where he only designs the watch and the actual production is carried out by Precision Watch Tokyo Co., Ltd., using same watch parts that go into watches like Seiko. The first run consisted of 3 dial colors, 50 each, and was priced around $800~, really bargain for what you are getting. I only got to know about the project after it was completely sold out. The second wave was launched today and sold out in 15 minutes. This wave consists of two dial colors, again 50 each, with premium Miyota movement and crocodile strap. Because of the premium movement and the quality of the band, price was $2,200~ but again great value for what the watch represents. I and @_speedmaster_ were able to get the copper version which was our first choice. Really excited and looking forward to the delivery in few weeks/months.

More information here

https://kuronotokyo.com/

https://cnaluxury.channelnewsasia.co...tches-11730970

[_speedmaster_]

Pretty excited about this piece. It's a fantastic way for people to get a taste of the independent watch scene for a (relatively) affordable price for most people. Plus, a portion of the proceeds go to to help facilitate higher education for orphaned African children.

Pretty well done short video on the watchmaker Hajime Asaoka:
https://youtu.be/p_bOpjkW9nY

[avilhena]

Very nice! congratulations to both of you!

[AlyRba]

Got the watch today. _speedmaster_ has better photos in his thread. Really like the case and hands finish and how the glass reflects light. Still warming up to the solid brown center dial as I probably would have liked another color to go with the bronze color in the periphery. But overall, the watch is really nicely done for the price.

I wish other high end independents do something similar, offering budget options through a sub brand that incorporate the design DNA of the parent brand. To my knowledge, only Hajime Asaoka through Kurono Tokyo and Stepan Sarpaneva through S.U.F. currently have these offerings.






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[_speedmaster_]

Congrats man. I'm glad you like it.
Agree that more independents should do things like this. It's a great way to introduce buyers to independent watchmakers and hopefully spur along future interest in diverse watch offerings.

[Amg7861]

Lucky gits, those that got heir hands on the $800 variants!


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[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by Amg7861

Lucky gits, those that got heir hands on the $800 variants!


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My mistake in misquoting the price for the first run. The first run pieces were priced around $1,750.

[Collector2019]

Beauty congrats


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[capote]

I like everything about this watch, the proximity to Hajime Asaoka, look, size, price, right down to the closed caseback, but why the limited run? It ran out in 15 min, so either a really poor demand estimation or a hype trick. I’m betting on the latter.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by capote

I like everything about this watch, the proximity to Hajime Asaoka, look, size, price, right down to the closed caseback, but why the limited run? It ran out in 15 min, so either a really poor demand estimation or a hype trick. I’m betting on the latter.

Certainly not based on poor demand estimates, since the first run from last year was also in high demand.

It’s likely to keep the value of the watch and brand in a certain standing. If these watches were produced in the thousands, their value and attractiveness takes a hit. For me, the low production is a positive. I like knowing that what I have is relatively rare and unique. Secondly, I kind of doubt this small company could ramp up production significantly anyway.

[lanteanflux]

In the Reiwa pieces it looks like the centre circle is on the dial whilst the visible outer ring portion is sunken underneath the dial. Is that correct? Or just an effect in photos?

[mongrelnomoad]

This is brilliant, and a beautiful watch. Enjoy it in good health.

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by lanteanflux

In the Reiwa pieces it looks like the centre circle is on the dial whilst the visible outer ring portion is sunken underneath the dial. Is that correct? Or just an effect in photos?

It's a visual affect that you see in real life too, courtesy of the design.

[lanteanflux]

Thanks. What do we think these should go for ? Deciding between a grey mystic or silver reiwa or neither. They retailed 1750 USD and what for reiwa ?

[_speedmaster_]

Strap change.

[christianj]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

Strap change.

Nice choice to pick up the dial!

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

Strap change.

Really like it!

[Pongster]

Nice. Been trying to contact Hajime san to order a Tsunami to no avail. Would a Reiwa be worth it as a temporary palliative? Unfortunately market price around USD5.5K (or about 2.5x of release price).

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Nice. Been trying to contact Hajime san to order a Tsunami to no avail. Would a Reiwa be worth it as a temporary palliative? Unfortunately market price around USD5.5K (or about 2.5x of release price).

I think the Kurono Tokyo might just be interesting enough to tide you over until you get the Tsunami. Instead of paying well over retail, maybe look at buying their Japanese Domestic Market pieces at retail? It's around $1900, and they have a few more design too, like this one that looks a bit like the Tsunami - https://www.neuve-a.net/TiCTAC/shop/g/g2700001969303/

[gm58]

Hi all, great to see Kurono watches being discussed here!

I have a question about Kurono - are they are Japanese company or Singapore company? To owners of Kurono watches, for some reason it seems that payments are sent to a Singapore company (seeing from credit card statement...)

Also seems like from their IG, the JDM brand will be discontinued!

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by gm58

Hi all, great to see Kurono watches being discussed here!

I have a question about Kurono - are they are Japanese company or Singapore company? To owners of Kurono watches, for some reason it seems that payments are sent to a Singapore company (seeing from credit card statement...)

Also seems like from their IG, the JDM brand will be discontinued!

They are very much a Japanese company. I'm not sure why the payments go through Singapore though.

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

They are very much a Japanese company. I'm not sure why the payments go through Singapore though.

Guessing it’s simpler for them to transact in foreign currency in Singapore. Japan is not the easiest country through which to do business with the rest of the world.

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

Guessing it’s simpler for them to transact in foreign currency in Singapore. Japan is not the easiest country through which to do business with the rest of the world.

Yeah, I know a lot of businesses around Singapore operate out of Singapore since it is easier on logistics, business registration and in some cases taxes (import/export). I assumed Hong Kong would be easier for a Japanese company, based on proximity alone.

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

Yeah, I know a lot of businesses around Singapore operate out of Singapore since it is easier on logistics, business registration and in some cases taxes (import/export). I assumed Hong Kong would be easier for a Japanese company, based on proximity alone.

Many Japanese prefer to bypass China, and Singapore's sterling reputation for rule of law and transparency (both under sustained assault in HK) may override purely geographical considerations.

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

Many Japanese prefer to bypass China, and Singapore's sterling reputation for rule of law and transparency (both under sustained assault in HK) may override purely geographical considerations.

Good point, I didn't think of that.

[gm58]

Interesting thank you for the information!

Kurono collectors, what you think of discontinued JDM brand, seems like the JDM brand was not as popular and can still be buy on the Japan website (like previous poster posted).

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by gm58

Interesting thank you for the information!

Kurono collectors, what you think of discontinued JDM brand, seems like the JDM brand was not as popular and can still be buy on the Japan website (like previous poster posted).

Unfortunately they don't ship outside Japan, so you'd have to use some kind of forwarding service to get it elsewhere. But given what these watches are reselling for, even with the JDM premium, they're still "good deals".

[golffoxtrot]

Originally Posted by thesingularity7

Good point, I didn't think of that.

honestly, terrible point. no one really thinks this at all, other than western media.

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by golffoxtrot

honestly, terrible point. no one really thinks this at all, other than western media.

Um. OK. Whatever you say.

[christianj]

Please let's not turn this into a discussion on politics.