Results for Kurono Tokyo

Tempo Rubato: the World’s First Mechanical Wrist-Metronome by Gaku Okada

I first came across a short video of the Tempo Rubato metronome on Instagram. Before I could message my contact in Japan who posted it, I already had an email waiting for me in the inbox from him introducing this wrist metronome device and its creator to me. I exchanged emails to understand Gaku Okada’s background and details of his wrist metronome.  Okada was born in 2002 in Hokkaido and was influenced by music from an early age, especially jazz drumming. Unlike many watchmakers, he did not cultivate a specific interest in watches, however he did develop a knack for making complex mechanical components.  After graduating from high school, his skills brought him to Hiko Mizuno College of Jewelry, for watchmaking classes. During his freshman year, Okada developed the concept of a mechanical wrist metronome. This idea originated from his practical need as a jazz drummer, as he frequently sought a method to quickly and accurately establish tempo before performances. Although electronic metronomes were readily available, he wanted to create a compact mechanical device that could be worn as a watch. As a student at the watchmaking school, Okada started part time work at the Precision Watch Tokyo company, working with watchmakers Hajime Asaoka and Jiro Katayama. Asaoka is a well known master watchmaker and the creator of the Kurono Tokyo and Takano brands. Katayama is the founder of the popular Otsuka Lotec brand. Under their mentorship, Okada developed his skills and acquir...

From the Grönefeld Brothers, a New Brand, GRØNE, and an Affordable New Watch, the Manueel One

A new brand is the talk of the watch world today, and the latest example of a trend we’ve seen developing over the last several years. GRØNE is the new project from Bart and Tim Grönefeld, the brothers behind the Grönefeld brand, one of the most acclaimed indies in the world. Following in the footsteps of the M.A.D. 1 project, Kurono Tokyo, and others, the brand exists as a way for admirers of a high priced independent maker to buy into the aesthetic and perspective of the brand at a much more affordable price point. The first release from GRØNE, the Manueel One, carries a retail price of just 2,150 Euros. At retail, Grönefeld watches start at around 50,000 Euros and go up from there. They are also very low production, with fewer than 100 pieces made each year.  The Manueel One, according to Bart and Tim, was inspired by a desire to bring their watches to “our our watchmakers, our children, and our friends.” If this sentiment sounds familiar, it’s nearly identical to Max Büsser’s reasoning behind the M.A.D. 1 project, which was initially only offered to friends of the brand, including partners that Max and his team had worked with for years. Like the M.A.D. 1, the Manueel One borrows some aesthetic and design principles from the higher priced watches the brand is known for, but it does so without the serious attention to craft and watchmaking you’d get with an atelier made timepiece. That’s to be expected, of course. Anyone thinking that an order for t...

Introducing – The new Kurono Special Projects Réserve de Marche, a.k.a the Sensu NOS

The brainchild of Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka (also behind the return of Takano), Kurono Tokyo was defined as his vision of a more accessible take on his design language, with watches merging traditional Japanese cues and classic vintage flair. Recent introductions of the brand focused on compact, retro-inspired watches with a bit less of […]

Introducing – The Kurono 34mm Calligra Special Project is Asaoka’s Vision of Breguet Numerals

The brainchild of Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, known for his high-end tourbillons or chronographs, Kurono Tokyo is the man’s vision of a more accessible brand. Still driven by an almost obsessive attention to detail, which somehow explains the low availability of these watches, Asaoka is here focussing on design more than watchmaking. Following the […]

The new Kurono 34mm ‘Calligra’ Special Project is a slick US$1,170 Breguet-numeraled three-hander

Hajime Asaoka's Kurono Tokyo returns with 3 new 34mm models that exchange arabic numerals in favour of his own bespoke Breguet numerals.The post The new Kurono 34mm ‘Calligra’ Special Project is a slick US$1,170 Breguet-numeraled three-hander appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

A new Kurono Chronograph Shows How the Brand Develops New Refinements with Each Release

There was a time not too long ago when news of a new watch from Kurono Tokyo could nearly break the internet. OK, that’s an exaggeration, but as the brand was building up a head of steam, it felt like loads of hype accompanied every new announcement. This was the peak of pandemic era watch speculation, and Kurono was in the middle of it. Over time, the frenzy has cooled and Kurono announcements are no longer the object of such intense scrutiny. I get the sense that Hajime Asaoka and his team are just fine with that – this is a brand that has instituted layers of “anti flipping” safeguards to their ordering process, after all. But a curious thing is happening: as the hysteria for Kurono’s limited editions has waned, the watches themselves seem to be getting better. Not just in terms of their aesthetics (that’s a matter of opinion, of course) but in the way they’re made and their ergonomics. It would be incredibly easy for Kurono to just keep cranking out new colorways, but every new release is indicative of subtle refinements to the brand’s approach, applying new techniques with every watch.  Their latest, the Chronograph 3 “Hisui”, is a great example of the way the brand has made little changes and continues to experiment while still hewing close to what has become a distinct house style. Kurono’s chronographs have evolved into colorful “sector” designs over the years, and this example has what I think is a very appealing mint green colorway that...

One (very satisfied) owner’s review of the Kurono Grand Akane

What haven’t I already said about my  love for Kurono Tokyo watches. At this stage in my collecting journey, the watches I own already tick a lot of functional boxes, so the main driver of my current purchase decisions is dial aesthetic. If I were to buy yet another diver with a black dial, it … ContinuedThe post One (very satisfied) owner’s review of the Kurono Grand Akane appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing: The Kurono Tokyo 'Diver's'- A Two-in-One Reimagining Of Dive Watch Case Construction

If you've ever had to decide between grabbing your dive watch or your dress watch, well, why not both?

Hands-On: The New Kurono Tokyo 34mm Is A Vintage Inspired Daily Driver

The long-awaited release from the sister brand of the independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka is a marriage between vintage style and modern quality.

New releases from Serica, Parmigiani Fleurier, Louis Vuitton and more

An unexpected diver from Kurono Tokyo and an artistic masterpiece from Louis Vuitton headlined last week in the watch world.The post New releases from Serica, Parmigiani Fleurier, Louis Vuitton and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

[VIDEO] Hands-On: Argon Space One Jump Hour

Are you ready for the final frontier? Or rather, the next frontier? A new frontier, at the very least? Yes, all signs point to a big change in the world of watches on the horizon. A new world, or I guess frontier to be consistent, where you don’t have to win the lotto, inherit tons of wealth, or be uncommonly successful to buy an exotic watch. A world where brands that were once considered too small to matter are standing their ground against giants, showing that with a passion for watches and an innovative spirit, the seemingly impossible can occur. This is a very dramatic way of saying that there have been some cool releases in the last few years that have been accelerating in their frequency, indicating the beginning of a new trend of the previously “exotic” becoming more obtainable. We’ve seen affordable wandering hours pop up for a few years from the likes of Gorilla and Atowak. We’ve seen unexpected collaborations between approachable brands and high-end independents like Louis Erard and Vianney Halter. We’ve seen high-end independents branch out into the approachable space with offshoots like Kurono Tokyo by Hajime Asaoke, SUF Helsinki by Stepan Sarpaneva, and M.A.D. Editions by Max Büsser. We’ve seen Christopher Ward shock the world by releasing a dial-side sonnerie au passage with the C1 Bel Canto. We’ve seen more too, so perhaps the trend is already here. Reinforcing this is the subject of today’s review, the Argon Space One. The first watch by...

Can This New Watch Foil Flippers' Plans?

Our industry has a flipping problem, and Kurono Tokyo is actually doing something about it.

New: Kurono Calendrier Type 1 is already sold out! We explore why.

The new release marks Kurono's success once again in textbook execution of a product launch. It begins with a great design, good pricing and finishes with great marketing. Riding on Hajime's popularity, the brand story benefits from the watchmaker's credibility. The design is classic and accessible, with finishing that is a bar above most in its segment. It also benefits from finding a niche in the USD1-4k segment, in a non-mass production vertical. Its limited production possibly limited by assembly and manufacturing capacity works ironically in its favor, to create scarcity.

TGIF: Grand Seiko TOKYO TIME Pop Up in Singapore

Grand Seiko's Tokyo Time pop up is a curated experience where it immerses the audience in the dynamic contrast of Japan's capital with the Maison's watches.

New releases from Credor, Hublot, Kurono and more

We begin 2026's slate of releases with a strong influence from Japan, as well as models marking the incoming Lunar New Year of the Horse.The post New releases from Credor, Hublot, Kurono and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Does the Grand Seiko SLGC009 Tokyo Lion Tentagraph make you roar or meow?

The Grand Seiko SLGC009 Tokyo Lion Tentagraph brings one of the brand's most complex calibres into one of its most complex cases.The post Does the Grand Seiko SLGC009 Tokyo Lion Tentagraph make you roar or meow? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

First Look – The New Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion Tentagraph SLGC009

Grand Seiko introduced the Tokyo Lion’s bold, angular case design in 2019 and since then, additional editions have multiplied its aesthetic -limited and regular production-the most recent being the 2024 Sport Spring Drive GMT SBGE307 Tokyo Lion and the Spring Drive Chronograph GMT SBGC275. This year, the Grand Seiko Sport collection expands by unveiling a […]

New: Grand Seiko SBGA481 “Tokyo Lion”

The Grand Seiko Sport Collection Spring Drive SBGA481 “Tokyo Lion” is a bold watch that embodies the ideals of a Grand Seiko sports watch.

High-end and high-tech GMT duo: The Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion SBGC253 and Yukigesho SBGJ271

Another week, another couple of impressively featured Grand Seiko releases. Today’s offerings include an until-now limited edition-only chronograph and an addition to the Elegance GMT collection. The former, taking inspiration from the mighty lion emblazoned on Grand Seiko’s logo, is the Spring Drive Chronograph GMT SBGC253, dubbed the Tokyo Lion, extending the large feline inspiration … ContinuedThe post High-end and high-tech GMT duo: The Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion SBGC253 and Yukigesho SBGJ271 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

INTRODUCING: The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition

I can only imagine the joy that must have been felt in Omega’s design department when it was announced that Tokyo would be hosting the 2020 Olympic Games. Not only has Japan had an incredible influence on design, but their flag - a simple red sun in a white field - lends itself to some interesting … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Inside Seiko: Part 1/3: Tokyo HQ and Morioka

Three part series to give you a peek inside the world of Seiko, starting here at the Tokyo HQ, the grand store at Wako Ginza and the manufacture at Morioka.

The Collector’s View: The Omega Speedmaster 2020 Olympics Tokyo Limited Editions

The author tells his story of how he came to possibly be one of the first to receive the Omega Speedmaster Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Limited Editions.

Introducing the Grand Seiko SBGA481 “Tokyo Lion”

Sinn Announces New Tokyo Boutique

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New Rolex Datejust 41 Debuts Green Ombré Lacquer Dial

Combined with White Rolesor construction and fluted bezel, this take adds understated luxury to one of the Crown's most classic models. More