[KURONO TOKYO] Long-awaited new chronograph preview in Aoyama, Tokyo

• Table of Contents
• Kurono Tokyo “Chronograph 3 HISUI: 翡翠”
• Independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka talks about the thoughts behind colors
• How to purchase
• The brand's first and only brick-and-mortar
• What is Kurono Tokyo?

Kurono Tokyo “Chronograph 3 HISUI: 翡翠”

The Chronograph series has always been overwhelmingly popular at KURONO TOKYO, and the long-awaited new Kurono Chronograph 3 HISUI: 翡翠 is now on display at Kurono Tokyo Aoyama Salon.

This watch has a strong presence even from a distance, but when seen up close it has a completely elegant charm. The watchmaker and designer Hajime Asaoka was inspired by natural jade that he picked up from the coast near Itoigawa City several years ago.

Independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka talks about the thoughts behind colors

"About three years ago, I visited Noto Peninsula In Ishikawa Prefecture to study about urushi application techniques. On the way back home I decided to stop by a city in the neighboring Toyama prefecture. There’s a beach there where you can pick up jadeite so I just thought it might be good if I could pick one up while enjoying a walk on the beach.

It was not a sandy beach, instead it was filled up with countless pebbles. Whether they are jade or regular stones, they were wet with waves hitting and shining beautifully. After strolling a while on the beach, I spotted a fish washed up on the shore. He was a small sunfish of about 30cm. He was still alive and I could not take my eyes off from the rare fish that is not easy to see even in aquariums. Then I realized there was a small stone sitting on his fin. It was a small jade pebble. I carefully picked it up and soon after, a big wave took him back to the sea.

After a while, the sea water on the jade dried and it became an even softer color. Holding up the stone, I could see through the sunlight. Generally jewels are polished and shine beautifully, but I think there is also a simple beauty in these “rough gemstones”. On the train back to Tokyo gazing at the jade, I wondered how I could use this genuine soft hue on a dial.

On the new Chronograph 3 HISUI:翡翠, I have attempted to reproduce the raw stone color of hisui. As always, it started with mixing lacquers myself and making various color samples. However, I learned that I could not achieve the color with a single hue. Therefore, this time, I pursued the color of the stone by layering multiple colors. The dial color is the color of the jade that was delivered to me by the sunfish that day."

~Hajime Asaoka

How to purchase

Prior to general sales, a preview of the watch will be held at KURONO TOKYO AOYAMA SALON, and a pre-sale will be accepted at the store exclusively for those living in Japan.

General sale

All are eligible and can participate. If you wish to purchase, you will need to register for an account (free of charge) on the KURONO TOKYO official website in advance. We are also accepting account creation at the store.

Tuesday, 21st November 2023
Preorder Window 1: 1100hrs JST (+9 GMT)
Preorder Window 2: 2300hrs JST (+9 GMT)

Location: KURONO official homepage

Expected deliveries by Christmas 2023

Register for free

[For residents of Japan only] Pre-sale schedule

Pre-sale is available only for those living in Japan at KURONO TOKYO AOYAMA SALON store. Delivery will take priority over general sales, and this time it will be on a first-come, first-served basis instead of a lottery.

Limited quantity sale/Free domestic shipping

Period: November 11th (Sat) - November 21st (Tuesday)
Location: KURONO TOKYO AOYAMA SALON

Aoyama salon details

The brand's first and only brick-and-mortar

Kurono Tokyo Aoyama Salon

107-0061 2-10-22 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Gather at the Japanese Independent Watchmaker, Hajime Asaoka's first and only Kurono Tokyo Salon, located just 4 minutes away from Gaienmae...

What is Kurono Tokyo?

A mechanical watch brand designed by Hajime Asaoka, an independent watchmaker who has been selected as a ``Gendai-No-Meiko''

We have announced models that have been nominated for the GPHG (Grand Prix d Horlogerie de Genève) and models that incorporate lacquer. Asaoka's thorough attention to detail can be felt in everything from the case to the hands and dial, and the user-friendly design has captivated fans around the world.

Due to the uncompromising design and quality control of Asaoka's watches, production numbers are limited, and new releases always sell out the same day.