I was literally fondling mine, as one of the lucky 288, when this video came up. Nice video sharing the passion (like all your videos). Keep them coming!
Very, very special watch. You must go for the black chrono next! I really enjoy the history you give us behind the watches you have, and also your truthfulness and sometimes good luck on how you bought them. Its refreshing that you also have no qualms telling us costs. Enjoy your watches.
Thank for the informative video. Truly amazing watches... I learned about Mr. Asaoke about two years ago from Sergei Volkov who is famous for his watch Indicator. (I bought the 38mm Indicator Watch from him). Sergei told me he was inspired by Mr. Asaoka when he was starting his own small shop and periodically would ask for advice from the Master ("not often, only when I was stuck and I really needed his advice")...
Thanks to you I'm now watching hour watch repair and restoration videos lol. Love the colour of that dial on that one and love the old classy style. Cheers for the content.
Excellent review Damian, delving into a brand and a watchmaker that deserves more widespread recognition. Just one minor correction: Kurono, or クロノ, is not Japanese “kanji”. It is Japanese “katakana”, another of the three scripts used in Japanese writing. Kanji refers to the more complex characters that were originally imported from China, c. Sixth Century AD. Katakana is normally used to approximate sounds that are “imported” from non-Japanese languages, but in this case is being used to spell out a Japanese word. Somewhat unusual usage, but perhaps fitting for a brand name from a watchmaker who is clearly a wonderful artiste.
@@cyrillec4999 Yes, of course. I hadn’t made that connection, because “kurono” also fits easily into a combination of Japanese sounds, such as the words for “black” and “field”, but you are absolutely correct. It was staring me in the face, given Damian’s coverage of the “Chrono Tokyo” brand for the domestic market and the general use of “chrono” in the world of watchmaking. Thanks for pointing that out!
That one kept popping up on Instagram and I had no idea what it was. Therefore it been an eduction Damian and it goes without saying it’s gorgeous. ‘Pure class’ as someone once said!
Damian, we are curious about how you store, display and wind your watch collection. Maybe in the future we can see a display box or watch winder video. Great content as always.
Emerson Chi A combination of bank vault, strong room and safes. I tend not to keep watches running on watch winders because the chances are I want to wear more than 4 regularly, and I don't like unnecessarily wearing the parts. So all are kept in various watch boxes - sometimes the boxes are themed to the watches inside.
Love the colour of the dial, very simplistic but beautiful watch. Can I ask a favour? Could you send me a clipping from the money tree you have? You seem to be buying new watches every week!!
I get that you are a huge fan of the brand, but some of the adjectives and adverbs used during the video made me think the damn thing was on par with the invention of sliced bread or penicillin, and that there was some world wide frantic scramble to get one, almost as if it was some medical miracle cure or a new model "affordable" Rolex (😁) opportunity!! When you said they informed the world on their website about a 10 minute open purchasing window I was expecting something astronomical, like 150 to 250 thousand orders. 238 additional orders was it? For a total of 288? Supposedly 1500 people tried to access the web site for the first go 'round. That's it, the huge uproar you referred to turned out to be made by less than 300 people??? Seriously, 238 additional units, that's it? Not even a thousand? If it's so fantastic, why were the numbers so pathetic? People make a fuss and drive perception, that's why. Your excellent content is something I subscribe & look forward to, but I think you went a bit over the top with this one. The brand is manipulating the market in an admirable fashion with their less expensive offerings, I think this shows great skill and a thorough understanding (and control of) their market share and customer base. Well done, Mr. Asaoka.
Damian, thank you for sharing your experience with Kurono, I’ve only managed to watch the video today but I hope you succeeded in grabbing a chrono 2 yesterday! I happily did and I’m now looking forward to this addition to my collection
I just wish they were all a touch bigger. I don’t mind a small watch on my 7” wrist, but this is just too small. 38mm + is my limit. Anyway, I absolutely love these pieces nonetheless. Just gorgeous.
*Kindly out of due respect, it's 'A-sa-o-ka'. not Osaka. I know in English we tend to gravitate towards what's phonetically easy or quick, but hearing Osaka is like hearing McWillen instead of McMillain. I know Japanese is hard and there are 3 writing systems, but the characters on the dial are Kana, short for Katakana, primarily used for either capitalized pronunciations or foreign word pronunciations. Kana is the most basic and easiest for westerners to pick up and learn, hence why Asaoka chose it. Furthermore, it has a cleaner and minimalistic aesthetic. If he chose Kanji or Hiragana, the dial would seem too convoluted. Take this in a helpful sense, I mean no offense. Furthermore I respect your Kurono collection. Cheers.*
Wow what a beautiful dial. Big fan of the brand I to really like the chronograph with the white sub dials black dial. I think I was first introduced to the brand by Swiss Watch Gang
An absolutely stunning piece and a mighty Thank You Damian. 👌 Wow . . . 288 sold.👍 I know someone who also who reviews cars that he owns on You Tube weekly. This sports car aficionado had a chance at purchasing a red car with a prancing horse emblem with the number 288, and the letters GTO next to it. Come to think of it, that chap was also called Damian.
Ok, there are several inaccuracies in this review which I will give you the benefit of the doubt on, but nonetheless I have to call you out on. Most importantly, there is absolutely NO QUALITY DIFFERENCE between Chrono Tokyo and クロノbesides the logo. Hajime Asaoka said so publicly himself. There are differences between the straps on the Reiwa grey and the Bullseye for sure, but that dip in strap quality extends to the mori which also has a cheap, crappy strap compared with the Reiwa. The Reiwa had higher quality, engraved alligator straps and a higher price point to match. You should edit that out of the video because It is misleading.
@@TheWatchGuysTV I see so false impressions that mislead people are ok. That explains why you mix the pictures up for the Reiwa for the classic Tokyo too then. No need to change that either I guess.
They are not false impressions if they are my impressions. That's the beauty of impressions. Thanks for the info, mistakes can happen, none of us are perfect. I don't think it affects the integrity of the episode. But feel free to not watch again if minor details cause you distress. 👍
Stunning watch Damien and thanks for sharing Never heard of the brand before, so always good to learn something new. I'll go away and do some reading up. Ps the scarf/bandana is reminiscent of a picture by Hokusai called The Great Wave (or it is to me)
So jealous that you nabbed one of those straps, I wanted one but was too late :( Not sure why you're buying the Japan versions if they aren't as good and you don't like them as much...
Thanks Damian, don`t know what this fuzz is all about here... Even if I was offered a year to purchase it, not interested really. At least someone earned some with that fuzz..
I really like the dial of the watch and the alternative approach to packaging is nice, overall looks like a great watch. I am no expert and I would be very interested in your opinion on this Damian, but I do think that even though it's an anniversary edition, the price still seems a bit steep for a miyota movement
@@TheWatchGuysTV I 'm talking about the price you have to pay right now, the 1,100 pounds are (or should I say '"were") very reasonable for what you're getting.
@@TheWatchGuysTV I not saying is terrible, it is very good looking with a Miyota 9xxx movement that when can get on 1K plus watch. The salmon dial will sell out as well cause it’s low production and affordable.
Granted the product looks beautiful; however, cold hard reality dictates that they are just another microbrand, and as such, the expression most associated with such operations, is 'sold out'. In their case, like in many others, they have simply fostered arrogance and distaste, hiding as exclusivity. Electronic cattle calls are hardly an example of class. They should be taking notes from Grand Seiko and Credor, but being a microbrand they are not bound by the same sense of respect and credibility -- not to mention class, as GS and Credor. In short, snooty pretenders...
The Short Version: I'm a huge fan of your channel but this turned out to be an open, single unit purchase opportunity for an Asaoka anniversary "masterpiece" that resulted in a total of 238 additional orders over the original 50. That's 288. That's a tiny number vis-a-vis the fuss that was supposedly made over the original release. That's a popcorn fart. A bit of a non-event. Nicely presented though, well done.
It’s not a non event for Asaoka or Kurono fans, it’s not a non event for the 288, it’s not a non event for watch fans and it’s not a non event for me 👍
@@TheWatchGuysTV I didn't mean to hurt your feelings but I'll just have to disagree, I'm sorry you think 288 is a massive response for an entry level Asaoka anniversary limited edition, reoffered as a limited time open order item, it's not, especially given the reputation and the commotion made about the brand. You even said 1500 people tried to order the first 50. I'm not kidding, I thought they would be buried in thousands of orders. Sorry if you were offended, I'm going to leave alone, perhaps I'll come back & check on things in a few months.
So is this watch using a Japanese version ETA movement and out in a shell designed to look vintage by this guy.....I am sorry what’s so special about this watch? Is it another ETA Panerai story?
