Kurono Tokyo Story and Collection
Tahir DoganAuthor
Hajime Asaoka, who could be considered an artist rather than a watchmaker, was born in Kanagawa, Japan, in 1965. He graduated from the Department of Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tokyo in 1990. Two years after graduation, he opened a design office under his own name. Hajime produced his first watch in 2005, overseeing every stage of the watchmaking process. In 2009, he unveiled his first Tourbillon watch and began making a name for himself in the independent watchmaking world. Thanks to these magnificent timepieces, he is now a full member of the Academy of Independent Watchmakers (AHCI). Wanting to make these exquisite handcrafted works accessible to the public at more affordable prices and without compromising on quality, the artist decided to do so under a brand and founded Kurono Tokyo.
Founded in 2018, the Chrono Tokyo brand sells primarily in Japan's domestic market, and expanded into the international market in 2019 with the Kurono Tokyo brand. Its dial features the Hiragana characters "クロノ" ('Kurono') and "Bunkyō Tokyo" (referring to the Tokyo district where Asaoka's studio is located). The first model was released in June 2019. Available in three colors, the watch was available to order from the company in Mystic Gray and Midnight Blue, while Eggshell White was available exclusively from Sincere Fine Watches in Singapore. In December 2019, the watch was introduced as the "Reiwa" (meaning "Beautiful Harmony") for the international market and the "Classic" (known in the Japanese market as the "Classic"). The complex two-piece dial, which provides a sophisticated metallic sheen around its perimeter, is balanced by the serenity of a perfect, monochromatic center. This harmony and balance of colors gives this magnificent watch its name. After this model, which was very popular with people, Hajime started working on a different model.
Kurono Tokyo Collection
Chronograph 1
On April 30, 2020, Kurono Tokyo unveiled its first chronograph model. Dubbed the Chronograph 1, this model was produced in a limited run of 68 pieces, available in either black and white or black and white. This 38mm watch, with its overall sleekness and aesthetics, creates a perfect connection between modern watch design and classic dial layouts. These models feature Seiko's manually wound chronograph Cal. NE86A movements, boasting a 45-hour power reserve and a 28.800-beat range. Offering 3 ATM water resistance, the company later released these watches in the Japanese domestic market under the Chrono Tokyo brand as Ref. CH001K and CH002W, each in limited runs of 50 pieces. The Chronograph 1 was a finalist in the "Chronograph" category of the GPHG awards the same year it was introduced.
Anniversary Green Mori
Immediately following the chronograph model, the brand's first anniversary was celebrated in June of the same year with the "Anniversary Green Mori" model. The dial, resembling the Classic model, featured a distinctive green color. Limited to 288 pieces, it became the brand's most numerous watch to date.
Grand Akane
Kurono's first artisan-level watch, the "Grand Akane," was released in November 2020. This watch features an urushi dial custom-made by a master craftsman. The dial, capturing a beautiful red hue, refracts elegantly depending on the angle of light, compelling you to gaze at the watch. The design is complemented by silver-colored Arabic numerals, and the "茜" character at 6 o'clock hints at the dial's color, inspired by the image of a daruma sunset. The Grand Akane features a unique, never-before-seen caseback unique to the "Grand" series: Hajime Asaoka's calligraphic signature, the hanko stamp, and the Kurono logo.
Anniversary Toki
The brand continued its tradition of releasing anniversary watches annually with the "Anniversary Toki" model in 2021 for its second anniversary. It retained the design of the Classic model and featured a coral dial inspired by the feathers of the Japanese ibis, a lucky bird. This eye-catching dial features hues ranging from red to purple, depending on the refraction and reflection of light.
Grand Hagane
The "Grand Hagane," one of the brand's most ambitious models, beautifully reflects Hajime's design approach. This is because he drew inspiration from a Japanese sword found in his family's home for the watch. His maternal grandfather was a blacksmith, and as a result, Hajime had been familiar with lathes since childhood. As a tribute to his ancestors, the watch's indices use a font called "Koji." The caseback features Hajime-sensei's signature bold kanji calligraphy and the unique hanko stamp, unique to "Grand" watches. The watch's dial is based on "Urushi lacquer," a technique passed down from the Tang Dynasty. The dials are individually handcrafted by women living in Kyoto, inheriting this tradition.
Calender Type 1
Hajime Asaoka, innovating its design language and adding a new complication to its watch collection, announced the "Calendrier Type 1" model in 2022. With its serrated bezel, calendar window at six o'clock, month display at three o'clock, and day display at nine o'clock, the watch embodies the spirit of the Art Deco era on its dial. Despite this vintage spirit, Hajime stated that the case, which allows for scratches, will allow for the potential for blemishes to add meaning to the watch, allowing users to imbue each scratch with meaning, making the watch truly unique to their individual needs rather than worrying about them.
The Kurono 34mm Series
Also in 2022, Hajime rolled up his sleeves for a smaller case diameter watch. Dubbed "The Kurono 34mm," the watches were available in four different colors, each with a matching strap for the dial.
These colors are No. 1 White/Blue, No. 2 Ochre/White, No. 3 White/Red, and No. 4 Blue/Ivory. The dials, featuring Arabic numerals, attracted attention with their colors and case diameters. The brand subsequently added new colors and dials to the 34mm series in 2023 and 2024. The latest model is the "Star Dial," which features star-shaped indices in addition to the 3, 6, 9, and 12 indices.
Kurono GMT 1
Hajime Asaoka is a watchmaker who doesn't shy away from adding new complications and timepieces to his rapidly diversifying watch collection. In 2023, he released the "Kurono GMT 1" model. This magnificent watch is the result of Hajime's blend of art deco design with modernity. This stunning design, which can be worn on the wrist of anyone rushing from meeting to meeting without sacrificing elegance while also achieving a sporty look, was nominated as a finalist in the "Challenge" category of the 2023 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève Awards.
Reserve de Marche
And in my opinion, the brand's most beautiful watch is the "Reserve de Marche." Introduced in 2022, this 38mm watch features a power reserve complication and a guilloche dial. It's also the first watch to feature an in-house movement, having modified the NOS (New Old Stock) caliber I received from Citizen. Available with blue and cream dials, the watches feature Arabic numerals on the cream-colored models and Kanji numerals on the blue model. Hajime and Asaoka have used a guilloche pattern reminiscent of folding Japanese fans for the power reserve indicators on these models. The "Sensu" pattern is complemented by a Clous de Paris on the main dial and 24-hour inner dials, and a circular guilloche graining around the seconds hand.
Kurono Seiji
The brand's limited edition "Kurono Seiji" model, also a variation of the Classic series, is limited to 500 pieces. What distinguishes this watch is its light blue dial, hand-mixed by Hajime Asaoka himself.
Anniversary Reiwa
In 2024, the brand introduced the "Anniversary Reiwa" model. A variation of the Grand series, this model combines lapis green metallic edges and a deep black mirrored center on a single cylindrical dial. While the "Reiwa" model appears beautiful and relatively simple from the outside, its sheer effort is revealed through the contrasting colors. After this model, which saw only 5 out of every 100 dials produced, the Reiwa series was retired. The "Goshiki-Numa" region in Japan is home to numerous volcanic and mineral-rich ponds. Hajime Asaoka was particularly impressed by the "Ruri-Numa" during a trip to the region. He wanted to capture that moment on a dial, and this watch with its beautiful colors emerged.
Since its founding in 2019, the brand has established itself among the best in the watch world. In just five years, with a vast array of models and variations, it has perfectly fulfilled Hajime Asaoka's motto of "affordable and uncompromising quality," a motto he prioritized when founding the brand. With every limited model introduced selling out almost immediately, the brand has earned a special place in our hearts. The dozens of watch enthusiasts who eagerly await each new watch it produces from now on are a testament to Kurono Tokyo's success. It's a good thing this remarkable watchmaker, Hajime Asaoka, felt the need to appeal to everyone and brought the brand to us.
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