Kurono Tokyo is an independent brand created by Japanese master watchmaker Hajime Asaoka to offer highly design-led, Art Deco timepieces with artisan dials.
Overview
Founded: 2019
Based in: Tokyo, Japan
Typical Price Range: £1500–£4000 GBP
Known For: Toki, Calendrier Type I
Website: kuronotokyo.com
Brand Story
Kurono Tokyo was founded in 2019 by Hajime Asaoka, a self-taught master watchmaker and member of the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants). Asaoka created Kurono to offer his design language to a broader audience at an accessible price point, without the long waitlists and six-figure costs of his handmade bespoke timepieces. The brand has quickly achieved cult status among collectors.
Design Language
The brand’s aesthetic is heavily influenced by Art Deco design, vintage Japanese lacquer work, and Asaoka’s signature case geometries. Dials feature polished metallic elements, intricate concentric scales, and traditional Japanese colors like coral-salmon (Toki) and moss-green (Mori).
Movements & Manufacturing
To keep pricing accessible and cases thin, Kurono utilizes premium Japanese Miyota automatic movements, specifically the no-date 90S5 caliber. These workhorse movements run at 28,800 vph and provide a robust mechanical foundation.
Notable Models
The Toki is a salmon-dial time-only piece that represents the brand’s core design philosophy, and the Calendrier Type I offers an elegant, triple-calendar dial layout with classic sub-dials.
Why Enthusiasts Care
Kurono Tokyo provides direct access to the design eye of one of Japan’s most famous watchmakers. Their limited production, lack of date windows, and emphasis on pure mid-century Japanese aesthetics make them highly collectible.
Official Website
Featured Models
Toki
An Art Deco dress watch designed by master watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, featuring a striking coral-salmon dial inspired by the Japanese crested ibis.
