Unworn 2022 Kurono Tokyo Grand Hagane
Ref: Grand Hagane

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Kurono Tokyo box and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Kurono Tokyo 20mm leather strap with its signed Kurono Tokyo buckle. The watch is from March 2022 and is sold in an Unworn condition, as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with the remainder of its Manufacturer's Warranty.

The Watch

Here we have an Unworn 2022 Kurono Tokyo Grand Hagane inspired by Japanese craftsmanship through the ages, the watch was offered to the Japanese market and Kurano contributors in limited numbers, it is now sold out and the exact number issued won’t be revealed. The 36.5mm 316L high polished steel case curves over your wrist with a lug-to-lug length of 43mm and a case thickness of 11mm ensuring a comfortable fit, on the right side is a domed crown. The smooth polished bezel holds a domed sapphire crystal above the stunning hand-applied Urishi lacquered dial, the lacquer is made from the filtered sap of the Japanese rhus vernicifera tree, and it is hand polished to reveal the "Tamahagane" pattern on the base metal which was seen on ancient swords made from high-purity steel called "Tamahagane" in Japan it is worn in a charm and has a meaning of good luck "turning negative environments and emotions into positive outcomes." Over time the dark hue of the lacquer lightens and becomes more translucent. The indices use a font called "Koji", which was used in Eastern Japan as the hard-wearing ink, and is still used today to prevent the rewriting of figures on important documents. The elegant polished sculpted hands are complemented by a teardrop counterweighted sweeping second hand. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with Hajime-sensei’s signature engraving in bold kanji calligraphy and his one-of-a-kind Hanko stamp inside an automatic Miyota 90S5, 24 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour, this movement is part of the high-grade Miyota family with hand winding and hacking for your convenience. The watch comes fitted on a Kurono Tokyo 20mm leather strap with a signed buckle and the watch also comes with its Kurono Tokyo presentation box and papers.

Personal Note

The Brand

Kurono Tokyo was founded by Hajime Asaoka in 2019. He is a Japanese watchmaker, one of only two members of AHCI (AHCI — Académie horlogère des créateurs indépendants).   Academy of independent watch artists, since 2015. Renowned for very low production handcrafted watches that sell for upwards of £120,000. He decided to offer a more affordable timepiece that has the same DNA as his more bespoke watches. Each watch is offered in limited numbers and in the case of the Grand, Hagane was offered and was immediately sold out. Production is controlled through Precision Watch Tokyo Co.Ltd, the very same company that Hajime Asaoka uses for his handmade creations.