Independents

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...  

Seems like art deco and small size will be a thing going forward however.

it deserves a more colourful strap though Congrats to those who secured it. I hesitated whilst the silvery white option was still available - nice pieces all around Thanks for the atmospheric photo report

The idea was keep it simple as the expectation is buyers will mount something more to their taste.

Thanks for posting the pictures here! Cheers, Filip

To me, these boutique editions are likely my favourite so far. The caveat being, this was also the very first time to see any in the metal. But I like the simple dial without markers or numerals.

Thanks for the report and the pics!

37mm.

...of course, it wasn't there then. Will have to stop by next time I'm in town : )

A little off my usual beaten track in that area, but good to explore some streets less traveled (for me).

I have this previous release urushi dial piece which really caught my eye for its dancing shadows as well as the numerals. ...  

The dials on these new ones are slightly different that prior similar colours. Although as the dial gets UV exposure it will change a bit, the SA seems to think these new dials will not end up as light as the prior ones.

because I thought the new smaller ones were exactly the same as previous (at first glance), but I see differences now. Plus I didn’t know that the dial color changes over time with UV exposure. My dial is still the same as when arrived since I don’t wear ... 

And for all of these dials, yours included, the underlying patterns (which are on the “raw” dial prior to the application of the lacquer) do seem to be all different. Which is cool.

Did you buy a watch?! The Aoyama box set in 88 pieces was great value and I feel the absence of the numerals pays more emphasis to the lovely urushi dials.

I plan to go back and see the three in the daylight. Do I need another watch? Absolutely not. 😂

You do have a great collection of independents. While the Kurono is not necessarily on same level as your others, it is a unique and very admirable effort by Asaoka. Also, the size looks great on your wrist.👌🏽

But the word 'need' has never been a priority when buying a watch. I think 'love' prevails or at least it does for me. No love, no purchase!

and Individual Aoyama watches remain available for sale? I would have thought that with only 188 pieces each, they would have been snapped up by now.

But these can only be purchased in person. Obviously the demand, or dare I say FOMO/hype, doesn’t exist to the same extent domestically. This I understand and so I can’t say I’m surprised. I asked the SA about foot traffic / visitors generally and she est... 

I might need to fly to Japan

Thanks for sharing

The time only are all my taste as well (even the 34mm ones). I like how the chrono looks so clean. Even the date is well done. Seiko may have a history of being the first auto/chrono movement, so a high end seiko movement with vertical clutch and column w... 

I do like these new Urushi dials. Really appealing.

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I meant to go, but it wasn't where I was expecting it to be in Aoyama. Did you dine at INTERSECT by Lexus in Aoyama yet?

I was only in the neighborhood one day (and one other evening with specific dinner plans). I was going to check it out for lunch that day but then got distracted by the below bento and had to commit the cardinal sin of eating on the street! Oops ! The ben...  

Good to know! Bon appetite! Hope you get a chance to try Sant Pau for lunch!

Thank you. I’m adding it to my Tokyo list. I love especially the first dark brown dial. Amazing color. Can’t wait to hear if you are going to get a piece. Sounds like a fantastic pick up.

I did visit again a few weeks ago and posted about that too. I will say, they are super welcoming there and very happy to show you everything. There are so many retailers and boutiques where I genuinely feel unwelcome, this is one of the few where the opp... 

Thanks for the report !

I still have one of the first but must admit i never wear it as its a little to small for my wrist. My wife wears it from time to time together with her Tiffany dial Kurono .

The colour goes from a greyish to plain white depending on the light angle. Really lovely and size is good as weel. Did they give you hints on the quantity produced ? On the website they mention "hundreds" without further details ...