Kurono Toki Hajime Asaoka, 2021

Dealer description — S.Song Watches

Founded in 2018 as a way for legendary Japanese watchmaker Hajime Asaoka to create serial production pieces, Kurono Tokyo stands as one of the most exciting microbrands in the market today. With his reputation as an exceptional watchmaker, Hajime Asaoka was famed for designing one-off timepieces in close collaboration with his clients. With demand growing, he decided to launch his own brand and create timepieces that would cater to those that wanted affordable watches that shared design language with his other once-off pieces. Following two years of operations, Kurono Tokyo released the Toki, an anniversary model that followed the first year anniversary Mori. The Toki was released with huge fanfare and was a hit, in line with all of Kurono’s watches. While the Mori featured a beautiful green dial, the Toki was inspired by the color of the Japanese crested ibis (Toki-iro). The stunning peach colour, that is not quite salmon and closer to a Copper-based, pinkish hue, is characteristic of the Japanese crested ibis, which is one of the most iconic and historic birds of Japan, dating all the way back to the year 720. Decorated with the immediately distinctive Kurono logo, applied indices at 3, 6, 9, and 12, and concentric engravings, the Mori’s dial is left uncluttered, to be enjoyed by the wearer uninterrupted. The Toki avoids complexities and takes refuge in its stunningly understated dial. Furthermore, it features a 37mm high-polished case and domed sapphire crystal, mimicking vintage design and adding another layer of dimension to the dial. Existing as a wonderfully unique timepiece, this is another success from the up-and-coming microbrand.