Kurono Grand:Akane '茜'
Kurono introduces our first artisan-level timepiece with a uniquely made urushi dial featuring a ‘Hamon 刃文’ pattern that is finished with the traditional Japanese ‘Niiro 煮色’ chemical treatment, and then sealed by a layer of suki-urushi.
Wed, 25 Nov at 1130PM JST
KURONO is an initiative to create high-quality, Japan-made luxury timepieces designed by independent Japanese watchmaker Hajime Asaoka.
KURONO aims to deliver to watch collectors a more accessible timepiece that shares the design DNA of Hajime's exclusive handmade atelier watches, at affordable levels.
The Hajime DNA
The production of KURONO is managed by Precision Watch Tokyo Co., Ltd - the same parent company as the more prestigious handmade Hajime Asaoka atelier.
Precision Watch Tokyo has brought together the same case and dial makers that supply to one of the most prestigious of Japanese watch brands, to deliver a high-quality product that is both accessible yet exclusive in number.
The dial and caseback - signed Bunkyō Tokyo - refers to the special ward in Tokyo where Hajime's design studio is located, providing a subtle correlation to the genius and motivations of the watchmaker.
A portion of proceeds go to selected children's charities in Japan and across the region.
About
HAJIME ASAOKA
“There should be nothing excessive. And things that were previously complicated, should be made as simple as possible."
Widely recognized as one of the world's top-ranked independent watchmakers, Hajime Asaoka started his watchmaking journey in 1997, taking inspiration from the traditional handmade practices of George Daniels but throwing in his unique perspective of refinement and modernity - a watchmaking philosophy that is distinctively Japanese.
Today, owning an original Hajime Asaoka handmade watch is a privilege in itself - irregardless of the long waiting lists and lead times, and the fact that much of his collection gets sold out within months of introduction.
If you are interested in handmade atelier watches by Hajime Asaoka, prices start from US$50,000.
An Interview with Hajime Asaoka
LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEDIA REVIEWS
@Kuronotokyo
Media Review
THE WATCHMAKING ART OF HAJIME ASAOKA
La collaborazione con Kurono rafforza lo status di Hajime Asaoka come uno dei pochi marchi non nati in Svizzera che tengono la qualità. Il segreto? Lo racconta ancora il maestro, con parole che sono la chiusura perfetta di questo articolo: "Molte delle mie idee mi vengono mentre cammino, ma tante di queste idee sono frammentate e un’idea da sola non crea un orologio: è quando più idee si incontrano, che diventano un orologio".
FEATURE BY DAVIDE PASSONI, WATCHINSANITY ITALY
Collector Review
@tick_tock_007 reviews his anniversary green mori on fifthwrist
"I will add that the green dial is rather exquisite and that it dances in the light and gives off different depths of colour... ...It’s a watch that must be seen in person for it to be understood fully."
Media Review
Kurono By Hajime Asaoka Anniversary Green Mori – Good News, It‘s Relatively Affordable; Bad News, It’s Hard To Get
REVIEW BY GARY GETZ, QUILL & PAD MAGAZINE
Media Review
'MICRO MONDAYS: Why do you keep hearing about Kurono watches? Read this and you will wonder no more'
REVIEW BY TIME & TIDE MAGAZINE
Media Review
Don't sleep on these under-the-radar watch brands
"Japanese-made watches never fail to excite the watch connoisseur, and it’s even better when you get great horological expertise at a fraction of the cost. Kurono is an offshoot of the luxury Japanese watchmaking independent, Hajime Asaoka ... It’s like dining at the small bistro which is run by a 3 Michelin star chef."
MEDIA REVIEW BY SWISSWATCHGANG
MARKO CONCHINA TALKS ABOUT KURONO TOKYO
Collector Review
@LUIS6_KCH talks about his kurono eggshell
"...上手十分舒適。面盤的色調中性柔和，和各種顏色的表帶都能搭配，增加了不少樂趣。尤其現在很多表帶都有快拆設計，不需工具、也可依心情和穿著隨意更換，展現個人風格。"
MEDIA REVIEW
QUILL & PAD'S ELIZABETH DOERR SPEAKS WITH ACTOR ALDIS HODGE
“I also needed something that fit within his financial budget in terms of relativity. That’s why I didn’t go for the Hajime Asaoka Tsunami. I spoke with Hajime, and he told me about Kurono and was very kind in allowing me to wear two different models, one with a cream-colored dial and one with a blue dial in the film.” ~Aldis Hodge
COLLECTOR REVIEW
The Horophile Talks About His Kurono Tokyo
Swiss watch collector Amr Sindi (@thehorophile) speaks with @swisswatchgang in a YouTube interview on his watch collecting philosophy, and on his Kurono Tokyo watch.
MEDIA REVIEW
"The lineage of the design and aesthetics of this piece is not just in the past..."
REVIEW BY HOROLOGIUM
MEDIA REVIEW
REVIEW: ASAOKA’S KURONO CLASSIC – MIDNIGHT BLUE AND EGGSHELL WHITE
REVIEW BY DEPLOYANT Peter Chong
MEDIA REVIEW
Why this Japanese watchmaker decided to create affordable watches
ARTICLE BY CHANNEL NEWS ASIA LUXURY
MEDIA REVIEW
'The attention to details on the dial is a typical Japanese standard of perfection and precision.'
REVIEW BY ARAB WATCH GUIDE
MEDIA REVIEW
INTRODUCING THE KURONO BY INDEPENDENT WATCHMAKER HAJIME ASAOKA
REVIEW BY WORN & WOUND
KURONO CELEBRATES CUSTOMER PHOTOGRAPHY
However, the downloadable PDF version of the book is free for viewing and download.