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2023 Anniversary Calendrier
'AZUKI' : アズキ
Kurono is proud to introduce the Anniversary Calendrier 'Azuki' for our anniversary piece this year. A triple calendar complication that achieved finalist recognition at the GPHG Awards 2022, this will be the final edition of the Calendrier Type I model which will be discontinued after this run. As a complete calendar, 'Azuki' is one of our most complicated models from a horological perspective.
Hajime Asaoka wanted to achieve a color that harked back to cars of the past, where maroon was a popular standard color. In Japan, that car color is more commonly designated as 'azuki' (tr: 'red bean') hence the nickname for the watch.
Significant effort was put into achieving the deep maroon color of the dial, including using phosphor-bronze* as a dial material for the first time. (*phosphor-bronze is multitudes harder to machine than the more commonly used brass.) Also unique for this final run of the Calendrier Type I, 'Azuki's' hour markers are further finished in off-white to provide a perfect contrast to its vintage maroon dial color.
Ordering opens Friday May 26th 2023. As with previous anniversary launches, production numbers will be time-limited across 2 windows of 20 minutes each. All orders successfully made during this time window will be honored. Deliveries start end June 2023 thru August 2023.
Now on exhibition at Kurono Aoyama Salon.
青山サロンにて実機展示中
我们将开始有限度地向中国大陆发货。请注意，所有报价不包括任何适用的关税或消费税。这些关税和税款可能由托运人单独向您收取。对于因未支付上述费用而导致无法履行问题，珂乐诺将不承担任何责任。如果您继续订购，即表示您了解并同意所有的预购订单均不可退款，并且您的订单只能在2023年6月下旬至8月期间履行，具体时间取决于您的发票号。
"I think the last Japanese car to have a maroon color was the Datsun 240Z. I don't know if this color was exported, but in Japan, the Datsun 240Z was associated with maroon. I personally like the maroon color very much. However, it is a very difficult color to paint on a watch face. For a deep maroon color, it is necessary to add a dye to the pigment. This requires a thicker coating of paint. This is no problem for a car body, but very difficult for a watch face."
"This is why you hardly ever see a (deep) maroon watch face."
"This time, as usual, I mixed the maroon myself and gave it to the dial maker as a color sample. The coating was quite thick. I wondered if the dial maker would be able to finish the color the way I wanted. After a while, the dial maker sent me the sample. The person in charge of the project said that he had gone through a lot of trouble, but the finished dial was superb. The sample I sent was painted on a white plastic plate, but by using a reddish "phosphor bronze" material for the dial itself, they were able to achieve a deep color tone while reducing the coating film. Of course, great care was also taken in the color mixing of the paint itself."
~ Hajime Asaoka
'Azuki' is a complete calendar watch with a classic coin-edged bezel that ushers in a new design language by master watchmaker Hajime Asaoka - designed for the gentleman adventurer but still firmly rooted in his penchant for the vintage romanticism of the art-deco era. Its design intent is for it to be worn regularly and to develop character over time - a design that allows for and embraces scratches. "Blemishes accumulated are unique to the wearer and is a written record of his journey and adventures through life. Owners should spend their time in meaningful pursuits rather than worry about scratches. Hence the design embraces such blemishes, adds character, and looks better over time," said Hajime Asaoka.
The design of the Calendrier Type I has been calculated to enhance the three-dimensionality of the iconic Kurono hands and the symmetry of the dial. It aims to evoke a sense of refined adventure - with its new high-polish coin edge bezel and deep maroon dial interplaying with an audacious off-white blacklettered vintage typeface to evoke a bold regimental atmosphere for the wrist. Guilloche sub-dials with high-polish hands hint at the mechanical complexity of its triple calendar complication, with the mood accentuated by railway-track minute markers at the periphery.
Dial
Azuki's dial enhances the "beauty of symmetry" that is a component of the Art Deco style. The cylinder dial is designed to curve from the center to the outer edge of the dial, and two dial layers are pressed together to create a three-dimensional effect. The numerals themselves - this time colored in off-white for this anniversary - are also purposefully printed in a raised format. To achieve its unique deep-maroon color, the dial is made from phosphor-bronze for the first time.
Case
The case is made of forged 316L stainless steel. It is newly designed to fit the coin-edged bezel, but keeps the iconic Kurono case DNA.
The case sides are mirror-finished. The mirror finish is free from distortion, so much so that exterior reflections are beautifully portrayed.
Also, when viewed from the side, the mirror finish and the coin-edge bezel can be seen to stand out in their respective finishes.
Water resistance has been increased to 5 ATM. The case-back is finished with a circular lettering design, as seen on vintage watches.
Sapphire crystal
The scratch-resistant box sapphire crystal is raised like the acrylic glass of a vintage watch.
Designed for the Calendrier 'Type I', its shape is 0.15 mm higher than that of an ordinary sapphire box crystal.
Unique Hand-bent Hands
The combination of high-polish leaf hands for the hour and minute hands with modern hands is a typical Kurono design.
The hour and minute hands are curved at both ends, and are paired with a counterweighted second hand that is very thin.
The tips of the second and minute hands are bent by hand.
Movement
Miyota 9122 - a Japan-made movement - is used. It is a rare movement with "center seconds and full calendar,"
which is uncommon in current Swiss-made mass-produced ebauches.
Leveraging a Japanese movement allows for the Kurono Calendrier 'Type I' to be fully Japan made.
AVAILABILITY
It will be available for purchase on Friday, 26 May 2023, and there will be 2 order windows.
Deliveries start from End June through August 2023.
Sold Out
Specifications
Japan-made cal.9122 triple calendar complication - 316L high-polished 38mm stainless steel case - Phosphor-bronze dial base - Unique box sapphire glass - Solid caseback - Case diameter 38mm - Thickness 10mm (11.5mm incl sapphire) - Power reserve: 40 hours - Complication: full/triple calendar (month, day, date) - Strap widths: 20mm at lugs, 16mm at buckle - Made in Japan
The Calendrier 'Type I' features a triple-calendar complication that shows the day, date and month; apart from the time.Like many other triple calendar watches, we would advise some care when setting the watch:*Refrain from changing the month when the windowed date display is showing the 31st.
Kurono is an advocate of green shipping, leveraging sustainable packaging and carbon insetting via sustainable aviation fuels for global deliveries.
Conditions of Sale
Any transactions with Kurono means that you unequivocally accept the following terms and conditions of purchase:
Kurono has a strict No Refund policy.
Please ensure that you are certain in your purchasing decision before commencing to pay for your order. Finalizing and paying for your order will mean that you unequivocally understand and accept that you forfeit the right to cancellations and refunds for any reason whatsoever, even in the pre-order stage. As this is a limited edition item that is in high demand, this policy allows us to prevent hoarding/fraud and ensures that the product reaches the wrists of real buyers and fans. Any cancellations will be subject to a restocking fee of 19.23% of the watch’s MSRP to cater to card transaction and platform costs. The extra will be donated to our selected children’s charity of the season.
Shipping dates
Before making a purchase, please refer to the product pages on the shipping advisory. From time to time, there may be countries or jurisdictions where we may be allowed to ship to.
Precautions against resale accounts
Accounts that are suspected of being linked to reseller profiles will be banned immediately. We will take measures to prevent future purchases by such accounts.
Multiple purchases
To combat the existing reseller problem, we have a stringent one watch per customer policy. In the case of duplicate purchases, our system will detect this and both orders will be canceled.
Payment provider/Credit card errors
If a credit card error occurs at checkout, it is primarily due to either the security policies or restrictions put in place by your card issuer, and not our payments transactions provider. Please ensure that your card has overseas purchases enabled before you participate in this order. Please note that our payments provider will put in place strict verification processes such as OTP codes and matching addresses to your card.
Alternatively, you might want to consider alternative payment options such as Apple Pay or Android Pay. Please note that for Apple Pay, a Safari browser is necessary for it to work.
Loss of package/Custom delays
We will only use DHL International Economy/ FedEx International Priority from the point of origin and international airmail for all international orders. Please refer to DHL/FedEx's terms of service in your respective country should you require more information on shipping terms, conditions, and requirements.
You understand that any loss of packages or customs delays shall not be within the purview of Kurono, and any claims and correspondence shall be with DHL/FedEx, or with your country’s customs authority. While Kurono shall provide assistance with regards to paperwork on a best effort basis, you understand that Kurono shall not be held liable for any matter with this regard.
Additional Measures to stem Speculation and Unauthorized Resale
Warranty for Limited Edition Items
- Warranty or service claims within the first six months of receiving your watch by anyone other than the original buyer on record will be rejected.
- Warranty for any watches discovered on the resale market within the first six months will be voided.
Shipping Policy
We will only use DHL International Economy/ FedEx International Priority from the point of origin and international airmail for all international orders. Please refer to DHL/FedEx's terms of service in your respective country should you require more information on shipping terms, conditions, and requirements.
VAT/GST/Excise Taxes
Please note that you have not been charged domestic VAT or related taxes at the point of order, DHL, FedEx, or the local delivery courier that they use may require you to pay the necessary VAT/GST/excise taxes applicable to your country of receipt before releasing the shipment. These taxes are unique to your country of domicile, and we shall not be held responsible for the payment of such taxes, except for local domestic taxes.
Exchanges & Repairs (Warranty)
All items are thoroughly inspected by watchmakers before they leave the factory for shipping. In the unlikely event that your item arrives damaged during transit, you may be eligible for a one-to-one exchange. Eligibility for exchange shall be on a case-by-case basis and only after your return is received and inspected. We will notify you of the approval or rejection of your exchange.
If you are approved, a new watch (if stock is available) shall be shipped to you without charge. If stock is unavailable, we will offer either a replacement of the affected part(s), a repair, or a refund.
We only repair or replace items if they are defective or damaged in transit. You will need to send pictures of the exterior of the shipping package in its entirety to help in your claim. You will be requested to take a picture of your warranty card to ensure the information tallies with your original order details as well. From there, we will make the necessary arrangements.
Please note that repairs may take up to 2-3 months depending on the condition of the watch. If you are uncomfortable with the waiting time, do consider before sending your watch back to the repair center.
Purchasing Questions
Kurono was created to allow watch enthusiasts to access and enjoy Hajime Asaoka designs at a fraction of the price of his handmade atelier watches, but at quality and aesthetic levels that far surpass the list price. However, because of our small production numbers, most models do sell out quickly at launch.
Kurono Anniversary watches celebrate our anniversary by choosing the model that typically sold out the fastest or had the lowest production numbers in the preceding year, and making it more available to fans.
Instead of deciding on a number limit up front, we will honor all orders within a given time period. This time period is calibrated to allow for just enough time to make a single quantity-limited order. Please only order 'Azuki' because you like sensei's design and it is a good watch. We will respectfully ask you not to order to trade-for-profit.
After this window - like in previous anniversary watches and previous launches - 'Azuki' will no longer be produced, nor will it be reintroduced in the future. Additionally, the Calendrier Type I model will be retired due to the limited availability of the triple calendar complication movement at scale.
Based on customer feedback, we have increased the time window by a few minutes to allow for manual verification callbacks from banks that do happen in certain countries. We have also allowed for two ordering windows of 12 hours apart to cater for different timezones. However, this doesn't mean double the availability as we will not allow multiple ordering across windows - each customer will only be allowed one order regardless of timezone.
Yes, a valid account is necessary before purchase. We recommend that customers register for an account prior to any pre-order, so that the checkout process will not be delayed.
We accept the following payment methods: VISA, Mastercard, American Express (AMEX), Apple Pay, Android/Google Pay, Alipay, & Wechat Pay.
Payments outside of Japan will be charged in USD ($).
A tracking number will be sent to you via e-mail once the package has been sent out. If you have more enquiries regarding this, do contact the Kurono team through e-mail at info@kuronotokyo.com
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