Kurono Tokyo Anniversary Calendrier Type I "Azuki"

Kurono Tokyo has created a new limited edition version of its Calendrier Type I that will go on sale Friday.

The Anniversary Calendrier Type I "Azuki" is presented in a 38 mm x 11.5 mm stainless steel case, with polished case flanks, a fixed coin-edge bezel, ridged crown, a retro-style box-type sapphire crystal, and a solid caseback.

As is the case with the other timepieces from Hajime Asaoka's accessibly priced Kurono Tokyo sub-brand, the movement is a premium outsourced Japanese-made Miyota. Driving the time, including center seconds, and triple calendar (day/date/month) functions is a premium automatic Miyota caliber 9122, which is accurate to -10/+30 seconds per day, with a 40-hour power reserve.

"Azuki" translates to "red bean" which is a reference to the maroon-colored dial. Uniquely, instead of brass, the dial is made of phosphor-bronze. The maroon color requires a thicker coat of paint than a typical dial and a special dye pigment. However, the reddish color of the dial material itself reduced the required thickness of the paint, resulting in a perfect deep vintage-esque maroon color — that you don't typically see in watchmaking.

Like the Calendrier Type I previously offered by Kuron Tokyo, the railroad track chapter ring and numerals are printed in an off-white throwback black-lettered typeface, harkening back to the past, when distinctive maroon Datsun 240Zs could be seen on the streets in Japan.

In addition to the maroon paint job and special typeface, the dial curves from the center towards the edge of the dial, and has a second level with guilloched sub-dials. To match the curvature of the dial, the high-polish leaf hour and minute hands are curved at both ends and are paired with a thin counterweighted second hand. The tips of the second and minute hands are bent by hand.

The Anniversary Calendrier Type I "Azuki" case is water-resistant to 50 meters and has a 20 mm lug width, accommodating a 20 mm/16 mm black leather strap. Production is limited and the timepiece goes on sale, online-only, on May 26th, for a retail price of $1,830.

Photo by Kurono Tokyo.