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KURONO TOKYO

Hajime Asaoka is a Gendai no Meiko—one of Japan’s honored modern master craftsmen—and a member of the prestigious AHCI. His work with Kurono has garnered global acclaim, including nominations at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).

Hajime Asaoka’s passion for watchmaking runs so deep he often isolates himself for days—working through the night, posting at 3AM, and disappearing into creation. His intense, singular focus drives every detail, even if it means vanishing from the world around him.

Hajime Asaoka hand-mixes the color and surfacing of most Kurono dials himself, testing countless shades and finishes. Each variation is carefully evaluated under different lighting—until one meets his exacting standards.

For Urushi dials by Kurono, they are entirely handcrafted—layered, polished, and perfected by the master craftsman in Kyoto. Despite Urushi's toxicity, only human touch can achieve the depth that machines cannot replicate.

Hajime Asaoka personally designed both the Aoyama and Shanghai salons—from layout to atmosphere—to reflect the same precision and care found in every Kurono watch.

Hajime Asaoka personally sets up each Kurono launch display at the Aoyama salon—down to photographing and printing the backdrop himself. It’s a quiet reflection of his philosophy: every detail matters.

Special Projects

A collection that embodies sensei's new interpretations of Art Deco.

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COMPLICATIONS SERIES

Art-deco inspired aesthetics that deliver more than just the time for discerning collectors.

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GRAND SERIES

Kurono's artisan-level timepieces, the 'Grand' series, is by far Kurono's most demanding and complex collection in terms of traditional craftsmanship.

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AOYAMA EDITIONS

Novelties only available at the Kurono Tokyo salon at Aoyama, Tokyo.

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Bunkyo Tokyo Classic Series

The classic range launched Hajime Asaoka's vision of giving collectors a more accessible timepiece that shares the design DNA of his exclusive handmade atelier watches.

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Aoyama Store view from the street

KURONO AOYAMA SALON

KURONO TOKYO SHANGHAI

PHILLIPS WATCH AUCTION MAY 2023

Atelier watches see new benchmarks set at auction

REVIEWS

Read about what the media and other collectors are saying about Kurono watches

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