As one of the world’s most talented independent watchmakers, Japan’s Hajime Asaoka‘s creations deservedly cost a small fortune and are available only to a small and exclusive group of collectors.
For the rest of us, there’s Kurono Tokyo, the affordable sub-brand Asaoka created to offer more pedestrian collectors the chance to pick up one of his gorgeous watches. As a result, Kurono ranks as arguably the most hype-driven Japanese watch brand today, with its Art Deco-inspired, limited-edition pieces typically selling out very quickly.
The brand’s latest offering — a chronograph with a seriously uncommon dial — is unquestionably one of its most striking. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the brand’s most difficult to obtain.
A powerful color
Most of the new Vermilion Chronograph Shu isn’t actually new. It’s simply a version of Kurono’s existing Chronograph I Mk.2. It has the same 38mm x 13.5mm polished stainless steel case, the same massively domed sapphire crystal and the same Seiko Cal. NE86 automatic chronograph movement.
The dial layout and furniture also remain unchanged. There’s a combination pulsometer and tachymeter scale outside the minute track, recessed black subdials with polished steel borders at 3:00 and 9:00, a date window with a similar border at 6:00 and polished applied steel indices in the form of small studs and a large Arabic numeral 12 appliqué. The polished steel leaf and ‘kyudo’ arrow handset also remain the same, as does the black calf leather strap.
