Hajime Asaoka, Kurono Tokyo wristwatch, Kurono Tokyo ‘Kurono’ ‘Chronograph II White’ ‘Shiro’ Limited, 2021 — view 1 of 3 — View 1 of 3 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 3 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Hajime Asaoka, Kurono Tokyo wristwatch, Kurono Tokyo ‘Kurono’ ‘Chronograph II White’ ‘Shiro’ Limited, 2021

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.

Maker / attribution: KURONO TOKYO HAJIME ASAOKA (brand / maker)
Date: 2021
Historical period: Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)
Country of origin: Japan
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: stainless steel
Dimensions: diameter 38 mm
Auction house: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Lot: Lot 361-5
Credit line: Auction lot record: LOT 5, Hong Kong,June 13, 2023 , 2022
Catalogue title (original): HAJIME ASAOKA, KURONO TOKYO ‘KURONO’ ‘CHRONOGRAPH II WHITE’ ‘SHIRO’, LIMITED EDITION OF 500 PIECES, STEEL (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 361-5), this is a wristwatch by KURONO TOKYO HAJIME ASAOKA, made in Japan, dated 2021. The Atlas places it in the Contemporary Horology period (2010 – Present) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: diameter 38 mm. The record is illustrated with 3 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Antiquorum catalogue description

A sought-after, stainless steel, self-winding chronograph wristwatch with screwed case-back feature with two tone white dial, minute counter, tachometer and telemeter scales; made in a limited edition of 500 pieces.

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Model: Chronograph II White ‘Shiro’; Case No.: CB012C42L; Material: stainless steel; Bracelet: leather strap with steel buckle; Caliber: NE 86; Diameter: 38mm.; Signature: dial, case and movement; Accessories: Kurono Tokyo fitted box, guarantee, cloths and decorative accessories

Inscriptions & marks

dial, case and movement

Historical context

Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)

Silicon components, connected watches, optical-lattice research clocks and a thriving independent scene.

Smartwatches became the world's best-selling watches, while mechanical watchmaking focuses on craft, innovation (silicon components, new escapements) and independent makers.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Mechanical Renaissance

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksRecorded
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

Explore further

Sources & image rights

Record source: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Antiquorum Genève SA — permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Hajime Asaoka, Kurono Tokyo wristwatch, Kurono Tokyo ‘Kurono’ ‘Chronograph II White’ ‘Shiro’ Limited, 2021." Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva, Lot 361-5. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/hajime-asaoka-kurono-tokyo-wristwatch-kurono-tokyo-kurono-chronograph-87e34e.