Kurono Tokyo Calendrier 'Type 1' Limited Edition

Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka has built a reputation for creating some of the most distinctive watches in contemporary horology, often drawing inspiration from the elegance and eccentricity of early 20th-century design. With Kurono Tokyo, his more accessible watchmaking venture, Asaoka brings that same design sensibility to a broader audience. The Calendrier Type I, introduced in 2022, is a particularly appealing example, combining an old-world triple-calendar complication with an unexpectedly adventurous personality.

Housed in a beautifully polished 38mm stainless steel case, the Calendrier Type I features a finely detailed coin-edge bezel and a distinctive khaki-green dial inspired by vintage military and Art Deco design. Bold, almost theatrical white numerals surround a traditional railroad minute track, while two beautifully finished, circular-brushed subdials display the day of the week at 9 o’clock and the month at 3 o’clock. A neatly framed date aperture sits at 6 o’clock, completing the triple-calendar arrangement. The curved, polished hands and unusual typography give the watch an unmistakable identity, while the raised box-shaped sapphire crystal reinforces its vintage character.

Inside is the Japanese-made Miyota Calibre 9122, a self-winding movement operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with approximately 40 hours of power reserve. The watch measures just 10mm thick excluding the crystal and is paired with a black leather strap, giving it wonderfully wearable proportions despite the complexity of its dial. This limited-edition example is accompanied by its inner and outer boxes, all original papers and pamphlets, and the calendar-setting tool. 

What makes the Calendrier Type I so appealing is its refusal to look like another conventional calendar watch. Between the military-inspired green dial, unusual numerals, intricate textures, and almost obsessive attention to symmetry, it feels like something discovered in a particularly interesting vintage watch collection. Except, of course, it came from the imagination of one of Japan’s most compelling contemporary watchmakers.

Hasime Asaoka is one of the most celebrated boutique watchmakers in Japan. Customers will pay tens of thousands for one of his designs, and his renown in the international market is growing. However, Asaoka himself worried that not everyone who wanted one of his watches could afford it, so he founded a second brand, Kurono Tokyo, to “create something that was more easily accessible, and faster to deliver.”

Kurono Tokyo offers beautiful, vintage-inspired watches in highly wearable sizes for a few thousand dollars, rather than tens of thousands. Often available in striking colorways, they feature faces made by one of Japan’s finest dial makers, stainless steel cases and solid case backs, and robust Miyota movements.

Unabashedly Japanese in their attention to detail and craftsmanship but borrowing from midcentury European watchmaking design language, Kurono Tokyo timepieces are a cut above the average “microbrand” watch, yet still wildly affordable compared to the wares from many high-end independents.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.