CHRONOGRAPH I
Kurono’s first-ever chronograph in April 2020 features a 38mm column-wheel complemented by the monochromatic art-deco design language that is distinctively Hajime Asaoka. Taking Chronograph 1's overall finesse and aesthetic as a whole, the entire effect of the design is a breathtaking link between modern watch design and the romanticism of classical dial layouts. The Kurono Chronograph 1 was nominated for GPHG 2020 in the “Chronograph” category.
The Design
Polished steel studs that indicate hours are followed by alternating gray or black/silver rings that culminate in a detailed tachymeter scale at the edge. A high-polish steel surround features a date window in contrasting white with black numerals. At '3' and '9' are contrasting elapsed time and seconds subdials respectively, finished in a concentric guilloche pattern, with the elapsed-time subdial at '9' set with a uniquely designed high-polished subhand in the shape of a traditional Japanese 'kyudo' arrow.
The Watch
The new chronograph retains the key elements of the high-polished steel case and hands that Kurono is renowned for - and more importantly - also features the unique box-sapphire watch glass to leverage its higher refractive and magnification performance for enhancement to lightplay. Taken as a whole, the entire effect of the design is a breathtaking link between modern watch design and the romanticism of classical dial layouts.