Introducing Kiwame Tokyo Launches with the Kurotsuki and Usuki Watches

Founded in Asakusa, Tokyo, “Kiwame Tokyo” is a Japanese microbrand. The brand was established under the direction of Masami Watanabe, a veteran of the watch industry with over 30 years of experience in introducing international luxury and microbrand timepieces to the Japanese market.

Drawing from this global perspective, Watanabe launched Kiwame Tokyo to create a domestically rooted microbrand that reflects Japan’s heritage of honest, high-integrity watchmaking. Kiwame Tokyo began its journey with two debut models, the Kurotsuki and the Usuki classic timepieces that reflect the brand’s simple and refined design philosophy.

The Kiwame Tokyo case is crafted from 316L stainless steel. The bezel top and case flanks feature fine brushing, while the bezel sides and case front are mirror-polished to add a subtle contrast and elegant depth.

Measuring 38mm in diameter, 9.5mm in thickness, and 46mm lug-to-lug, the case strikes a classic and balanced profile suitable for everyday wear. A sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating ensures clear visibility, while the screw-in stainless steel case back and screw-down crown contribute to a solid 100 meters of water resistance.

The dials of the KUROTSUKI and USUKI watches share a common architectural foundation but express two entirely different design philosophies. Both feature three-dimensional applied Arabic numerals that rise above the dial surface. However, in the KUROTSUKI, the numerals are rendered in brushed metal, catching and reflecting light with sharp, metallic contrast against a deep, glossy black lacquer dial. This creates a bold and dramatic interplay of light and shadow, enhancing the dial’s visual impact and lending it a formal, almost nocturnal elegance.

In contrast, the USUKI's dial takes a much softer, more understated approach. Its base color is a traditional Japanese hue known as usuki, a warm, yellow-ivory tone developed through careful prototyping. This dial doesn’t reflect light aggressively but rather diffuses it gently, creating a sense of calm and balance. The applied Arabic numerals and printed track are finished in matte black, which doesn’t catch the light but instead forms delicate shadows that shift with viewing angles, resulting in a quiet sophistication.

The watch is powered by Miyota 9039, an automatic movement. It features hacking seconds for precise time-setting, and beats at a high frequency of 28,800 vph. With a power reserve of approximately 42 hours and an accuracy rating of -10 to +15 seconds per day.

Each watch comes fitted with a black calfskin leather strap, complemented by quick-release spring bars and a pin buckle. The watch is produced in a limited edition of just 99 pieces per color. Priced at USD 650, which is equivalent to approximately AED 2,400.

For more information, you can visit Kiwame Tokyo’s official website.