2026 Kurono Anniversary
Malachite '孔雀石'
Kurono presents our 2026 Anniversary timepiece - the Special Projects Malachite '孔雀石', a personal study by Hajime Asaoka exploring the expressive beauty of natural stone within the Kurono Tokyo design language.
"The idea of using natural stones for watch dials has a long history. While its beauty is a pure reflection of nature itself, when crafting this watch, I did not want to simply use a raw fragment as is. Instead, I wanted to imbue it with my own perspective as a watchmaker. In short, my goal with this timepiece was to draw out the innate beauty of the natural stone even further while simultaneously adding the distinct character of Kurono Tokyo."
The Special Projects Malachite '孔雀石' sees the combination of natural malachite and a hand-mixed rokusho green copper-oxide pigment derivative on the periphery - a technique without precedent so as to form Kurono's signature convex dial. It is further complemented by unique Kanji Eto (zodiac) script as hour markers. Only 2 out of 10 malachite dials make it to final selection - and those chosen personally by Hajime Asaoka bear his personal vermillion seal.
This is a limited anniversary release and will be available worldwide on kuronotokyo.com for US$1,850 excluding VAT & duties.
The sale of the Malachite '孔雀石' will have two order windows - All orders placed within either of these time windows will be honored:
Order Window 1: Thursday, 28 May, 11:00 AM JST
Order Window 2: Thursday, 28 May, 11:00 PM JST
Strictly 1 watch per customer.
All windows closed
"The design features malachite in the center, surrounded by a brass outer section to form a convex dial. I believe there is almost no precedent for this technique, likely due to its extreme technical difficulty. Now, malachite is a type of copper ore, and its rich green color is the result of copper oxidation. As a green pigment derived from copper oxide, verdigris (rokusho) has been known since antiquity. It has been cherished as a pigment in traditional Japanese painting for over a thousand years, and I always keep a supply of it on hand in my atelier.
In particular, copper oxide dissolved in oil is known as copper resinate; it possesses a deep, translucent green hue and has been used as a pigment in oil painting since the Renaissance.
When creating the prototype this time, I produced copper resinate from verdigris to determine the exact color of the dial's outer periphery. Because it shares the exact same material roots as the green of the malachite, it resulted in the perfect harmony I had envisioned."
~Hajime Asaoka
"Every piece of malachite possesses its own unique pattern. Because some individual stones are not necessarily attractive, I personally inspect every single piece and select only the finest ones. The mark stamped on the dial serves as proof of this rigorous selection."
Turning malachite into a watch dial is a masterclass in patient production. Most stone dials are cut from massive, homogenous slabs. Malachite is cut from nodular clusters. This means we cannot use industrial saws; each nodule is X-rayed to find the 'Eye' before a single cut is made. Because the stone is prone to fracturing, slicing it into a watch dial requires an incredible level of lapidary skill. Only 2 out of 10 dials survive the process and make it to final selection by Hajime himself.
Malachite is a 'lithic recording.' The varying widths of the green bands are not random; they are the visual 'sound waves' of a planet in flux. Each band you see on the dial represents a specific period of seismic water flow and mineral concentration across tens of thousands of years.
Kujaku-ishi: 孔雀石
Malachite - Kujaku-ishi (Peacock Stone), is named for its resemblance to the peacock’s eye-like plumage. Traditionally worn to sharpen the wearer's insight and guard their journey through the world, malachite exhibits a silken chatoyancy, shifting between deep forest shadows and vibrant emerald light.
Kanji Zodiac Indices
The indices feature the Etō (the twelve signs of the Kanji Zodiac), traditionally used in East Asia to denote both time and cardinal direction. By integrating this ancient temporal system into a modern timepiece, the watch achieves a distinctive legibility and aesthetic that diverges from conventional Arabic or baton markers.
Kurono Detail
The tips of the minute and second hands are bent by hand to match the curves of the dial and glass. Synonymous with Japanese haute horlogerie, every aspect of the 7mm slim watch case (excl sapphire) is polished to the highest degree, and together with the box sapphire crystal delivers unparalleled lightplay.
WE'RE MAKING IT EASIER THAN EVER TO BUY A KURONO
PAY BY INSTALMENTS INTEREST-FREE
You can now pay as low as $617/mo. over 3mos. with no interest or charges. As long as you have a VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card; you can now choose your preferred instalment plan upon checkout. (except Japan and China domestic orders)
GLOBAL ONLINE SALE
US$1,850 excl VAT/duties
or $617/mo. for 3 mo.
The 2026 Anniversary timepiece - the Special Projects Malachite '孔雀石' is a limited production release and will not be repeated.
Expected deliveries from July 2026 onwards.
For US-bound orders please view new baseline tariff guidance here
ONLINE ORDERING ON THURSDAY 28 MAY
It will be available for purchase online on Thursday, 28 May 2026, and there will only be two order windows.
All windows closed
Order Window 1
11.00AM JST, Thursday, 28 May
(CST) China: Thursday, 28 May, 10:00AM
(BST) London: Thursday, 28 May, 3:00AM
(EDT) New York: Wednesday, 27 May, 10:00PM
(GST) Dubai: Thursday, 28 May, 6:00AM
(AEST) Sydney: Thursday, 28 May, 12:00PM
(PDT) California: Wednesday, 27 May, 7:00PM
Order Window 2
11.00PM JST, Thursday, 28 May
(CST) China: Thursday, 28 May, 10:00PM
(BST) London: Thursday, 28 May, 3:00PM
(EDT) New York: Thursday, 28 May, 10:00AM
(GST) Dubai: Thursday, 28 May, 6:00PM
(AEST) Sydney: Friday, 29 May, 12:00AM
(PDT) California: Thursday, 28 May, 7:00AM
US$1,850 excl VAT/duties
Prior to the global sale, visitors to the Kurono salon in Aoyama, Tokyo will be able to view the Malachite '孔雀石' in person and make in-salon preorders.
Malachite '孔雀石' Exhibition
From Wednesday, May 20, 2026
In-Salon Preorder
Wednesday, May 20 - Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Strictly one purchase per customer
- Kurono ships worldwide to most major destinations
- Please note that full payment is required upon preorder and is strictly non-refundable
- The Malachite ‘孔雀石’ is a one-off release and will not return once sold out
Kurono Tokyo Aoyama Salon
2-10-22 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061
TEL: 03-6823-8358
Business hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Closed on Sundays and holidays)
15,800 RMB including VAT/Duties
Prior to the global sale, visitors to the Kurono salon in Shanghai, China will be able to view the Malachite '孔雀石' in person and make in-salon preorders.
Malachite '孔雀石' Exhibition
From Wednesday, May 20, 2026
In-Salon Preorder
Wednesday, May 20 - Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Strictly one purchase per customer
- Kurono ships worldwide to most major destinations
- Please note that full payment is required upon preorder and is strictly non-refundable
- The Malachite ‘孔雀石’ is a one-off release and will not return once sold out
Kurono Tokyo Shanghai Salon
No. 667-1, Weihai Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, 200041
TEL: 021-6380-9768
Business hours: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm (closed on holidays)
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 10%. This is on top of the listed global MSRP of US$1,850 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
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Movement: MIYOTA 90S5 (automatic, 24 jewels, 28,800 vph, approx. 40-hour power reserve)
Case diameter: 37 mm
Case thickness: 7mm (including crystal: 11.5 mm)
Case material: Stainless steel (316L, high-polished)
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Strap: Calf leather
Lug width: 20 mm (16 mm at buckle)
Glass: Sapphire box crystal
Made in Japan
Kurono 2026 Anniversary Malachite ‘孔雀石’ order window has been closed. It is available for viewing at the Shanghai and Aoyama salons.
This was a limited production and will not be repeated. Expected deliveries from July 2026 onwards.
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, even in the pre-order stage. As this is a high demand limited edition item, this policy allows us to prevent hoarding/fraud and ensures that the product reaches the wrists of real collectors 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. Depending on current world situations, 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 from the point of origin and international airmail for all international orders or local delivery courier service. Please refer to DHL/local delivery courier'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/local delivery courier, 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 from the point of origin and international airmail for all international orders or local delivery courier. Please refer to DHL/local delivery courier'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 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
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.
All warranty and service claims within the first six months of receiving your watch must be made through the original purchaser, otherwise it will be denied.
We accept the following payment methods: VISA, Mastercard, American Express (AMEX), Apple Pay & Android/Google Pay only.
Payments for all Kurono Tokyo products will be charged only in USD, unless stated otherwise.
No, payment should strictly be made by USD only. There will be no other currency options available.
We apologize, as our payment processing partner will only process one credit card per cart checkout.
Kurono has a strict No Refund Policy. 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.
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
Due to the very short lead times between allocation and delivery, changes of addresses will not be allowed. Successful customers are advised to enter an accurate shipping address at the invoice finalization stage. Any changes after the fact may result in cancellation of your order and reallocation of your watch to another customer.
3 Months installments
If you successfully completed the checkout process and your card was charged, please check your spam folder for a Plan Creation email.
If you didn't complete the checkout process but entered your card information, the hold on your card is likely an authorization to verify available credit. This hold should drop soon, and you won't be charged unless the plan was successful.
Payments are the regular installments that are charged to your credit card. Authorizations for up to the full purchase amount are taken in addition to your regular installments, to guarantee your future payments.
If you are unable to continue with your payments, please reach out to us directly at info@kuronotokyo.com to discuss on how we can assist you on the matter.
When creating an installment plan you do not need to pay anything upfront. However, upon plan creation, your first installment will be charged to your card right away.
For most installment plans your first payment will be charged to your card immediately upon checkout.
For any situations where you have not yet received your order, and you are concerned about your installment plan transactions, please contact us directly at info@kuronotokyo.com.
Transactions on your instalment plan will continue as scheduled.
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