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Kurono Diver’s: ダイバーズ

The new Kurono Diver’s: ダイバーズ reconsiders the conventional architecture of a diving watch. The 35mm automatic watch head is secured within a purpose-built diving case, allowing the timepiece to transition seamlessly from refined daily wear to an instrument for recreational diving. Individually tested and rated to 100 meters water resistance, it has been depth engineered for up to 300 meters.

The new Diver’s: ダイバーズ is a limited study by Hajime Asaoka priced at $2,700 (excl taxes and duties) per set that will be made available worldwide through allocation-via-ballot. Applicants with recreational or better diving certifications (PADI, SSI, NAUI etc) will be prioritized but not guaranteed. A good portion of allocations will be made available to the general public without such certifications. Expressions of interest can be made until 11:59PM JST on 11 March 2026. Successful applications will be notified by 16 March 2026. Deliveries are expected from May 2026 onwards.

The watch will be available for preview and try-on at both Aoyama and Shanghai salons.

Delivered in a sturdy, dedicated package

"Upon first encountering this timepiece, the most immediate observation is likely the absence of a crown.

The crown has always been the Achilles' heel of diving watches. To address this, various innovations have been employed—from screw-down mechanisms to locking levers. Yet, the ultimate solution is to eliminate the crown entirely.

Thanks to the high winding efficiency of modern automatic movements, a watch worn regularly rarely stops and maintains excellent precision. Once the time is set, the need for crown manipulation is virtually non-existent. It was this realization that inspired my concept: to encapsulate the entire wristwatch within a dedicated waterproof casing."

"When diving—or in any situation requiring absolute water resistance—placing the watch into this outer diving case transforms it into a professional tool capable of withstanding depths of up to 300 meters. This is the defining characteristic of the Kurono Diver's."

"The development of this timepiece spanned many years, involving exhaustive field tests and high-pressure trials. To verify our peak performance metrics, we conducted rigorous evaluations in collaboration with official Japanese public research institutes to ensure this exceptional level of water resistance." ~ Hajime Asaoka

46mm Diving Case

"Operation is intuitive and seamless. The bezel functions as a threaded lid; using a dedicated opener, it can be easily unscrewed counter-clockwise. Furthermore, the bezel features a unidirectional rotation mechanism—an essential for divers—to track elapsed time while preventing the case from accidentally loosening. For lighter use, the case can be opened or closed by hand without the tool; so long as the bezel remains secure when tested counter-clockwise, the seal provides water resistance equivalent to 10 ATM.

The bezel is crafted from Extra Super Duralumin, finished in a deep red through hard anodizing. This specific shade of red is designed to maximize contrast with the white-engraved indices, ensuring peak legibility underwater." ~ Hajime Asaoka

35mm Inner Watch

"The inner watch marks the debut of Kurono Tokyo’s first-ever cushion-shaped case. To ensure maximum legibility underwater, both the indices and hands feature a luminous finish. The cathedral hands are made of blue steel, meticulously skeletonized to the limit to increase the efficiency of the luminescence." ~ Hajime Asaoka

Quick-Release

The inner watch features a strap with quick-release design, allowing for attachment and removal without tools.

How to join EOI

The Diver’s:ダイバーズ will be made available worldwide through allocation-via-ballot.

The EOI (Expression of Interest) is open worldwide.
Applicants with recreational (or higher) diving certifications (e.g., PADI, SSI, NAUI, etc.) will be prioritized, but not guaranteed to receive an allocation.
You can still apply without a certification - a good portion of allocations are reserved for applicants without diving certifications.

EOI DETAILS

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1: Submit your EOI (5-11 March) 

  • Please submit the EOI form within the designated application window.
  • If you hold a valid diving certification, kindly provide the relevant details as requested in the form (this helps with prioritization).

Step 2: Wait for the ballot outcome (13–16 March)

  • The team will review applications and allocate pieces via ballot.
  • Successful applicants will receive an invoice by email between 13–16 March, so we kindly ask that you monitor your inbox during this period.
  • Please note that delayed responses beyond the stated timeframe may result in your allocation being released and reassigned.
  • If you do not receive an invoice by 16 March, your application was not successful in this round.

Step 3: Complete payment if selected

  • Please follow the instructions stated on the invoice to confirm your purchase.
  • Final taxes/duties (if applicable) will depend on your destination and will be handled and invoiced by the carrier at your destination.
  • Successful applicants will have 48 hours from the time the invoice is issued to complete payment. 
  • We accept the following payment methods: VISA, Mastercard, American Express (AMEX), Apple Pay & Android/Google Pay. You may also opt for $900/mo. installments for 3 months without interest or fees.
  • If any invoices remain unpaid within the specified timeframe stated, the allocation will be returned to the ballot pool and reallocated to another applicant. This ensures that all available pieces are ultimately and fairly allocated.

EOI TIMELINE

EOI opens: 5 March

EOI closes: 11 March, 11:59PM (23:59) JST

Selection & notification: Successful applicants will be notified via invoice sent between 13 - 16 March. This notification will serve as the official announcement of the results. 

Deliveries are expected from May 2026 onwards.

Please note that duplicate submissions may be deemed invalid.

We also reserve the right to decline or cancel any application that appears to be submitted for resale or other unauthorized purposes, in order to ensure a fair allocation process for all applicants.

Baseline Tariffs for US-bound Orders

Please understand that by proceeding with this order, you acknowledge that shipments into the US will be subject to current baseline tariffs of 15%. This is on top of the listed global MSRP of US$2,700 for the watch. This may be on top of any existing state or federal consumption taxes and charges. This baseline tariffs and any other charges will be paid directly by you to the delivery partner DHL or Fedex on fulfilment. Kurono will not collect such tariffs and charges from you upfront. Due to the limited nature of the watch, Kurono orders cannot be cancelled, returned, nor refunded. By proceeding with this order, you agree to the abovementioned and to the no-cancellation policy in force.

Specifications & Availability

Conditions of Sale

Purchasing Questions

3 Months installments

Media Downloads