Independents

Kurono Tokyo

 

Took a walk over to Aoyama to visit Hajime Asaoka’s Kurono Tokyo boutique yesterday evening.  

The boutique opened last year I think, and in addition to having a display of several of the past collections they also have a limited run collection of 3 watches for sale in the boutique only (unlike all the others which sell online only).  These editions are called Grand Urushi Aoyama.  There are 188 of each, including either 80 or 88 of each that are sold only as a set of all three. 

These boutique watches each have Urushi (lacquer) dials, something Kurono has used before, you can see the colours in the pictures below.  In addition the base dials each have a different pattern / “finish” representing something personal to Asaoka-san.  What I like about this edition is that there are no numerals, so almost Moser-like you have a pretty clean dial with the attention on the colour (and underlying texture, light play). 

This is my first time seeing any of Kurono’s watches in person.  Personally I like the sizing, all small cases including the new 34mm case with that art deco style.  On first handling the cases seem to be of decent quality, something which is not always true at these price points.  Inside are basic Miyota movements (except the chronos which are Seiko). 

There is also a picture below showing the one of the current Boutique editions together with a similarly coloured (but different) Urushi dial from an earlier release.

The staff were super friendly and happy to spend time showing all the watches, and chatting about the brand.  

The current boutique Grand Urushi Aoyama together with a similarly coloured Urushi dial from a prior edition. The colour is quite different, in addition the underlying texture on the dial surface is also different. 




The newly released and sold out I think 34mm art deco style. 





A chronograph, with the Seiko movement, from a prior edition.