====== Hajime Asaoka ======

{{wst>author|[[Foskett, Stephen|Stephen Foskett]] ([[https://grail-watch.com/|Grail Watch]])}}

**Hajime Asaoka** is a [[Japan]]ese watchmaker and member of the [[AHCI]] since [[2015]]. Along with [[Masahiro Kikuno]], Asaoka is one of two Japanese watchmakers in the AHCI.

===== Overview =====
Asaoka is known for extremely low production and hand crafting based on salvaged movement components. He sources difficult components from historic [[Unitas]] movements and other components such as cases from automotive suppliers as well as from sympathetic Swiss contacts including [[Philippe Dufour]] and [[Antoine Preziuso]].

Asaoka's watches include the Tsunami, a time-only watch priced at $25,000, the Project T [[tourbillon]] which costs $80,000, and a [[chronograph]] priced at $120,000. Each is constructed by hand and takes months to construct, with Asaoka completing just 19 watches [[as of 2018]].

Asaoka created the Odessa Tourbillon for Japanese jeweler and watchmaker [[Tasaki]].

===== Chrono/Kurono Tokyo =====
  *See Also [[Kurono Tokyo]]

Asaoka launched the **Chrono Tokyo** brand in [[2018]] as a more affordable alternative to his hand-made watches. These were only available in the domestic [[TiC TAC]] store, and were limited to 50 examples per series. A total of 450 Chrono Tokyo watches were produced, including both time-only and chronograph models, before the brand was retired in [[2021]].

Because of strong international demand, Asaoka added the **Kurono Tokyo** brand in [[2019]]. Initially, these were re-editions of exciting Chrono Tokyo models, but unique models with special dials followed in [[2020]]. Due to strong demand, production was expanded, with 288 examples of the Anniversary Green "Mori" model, 68 each of the Chronograph 1, 200 of the Grand Akane, and 500 of the Chronograph 2.

In [[2020]], two of Asaoka's Kurono watches were finalists for the [[GPHG]] awards, the Kurono Tokyo Chronograph 1 (limited to 68 pieces per dial variant) and Anniversary Green "Mori" (limited to 288 pieces). Although these did not win, this gained additional attention to the brand.


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Japan Japan AHCI}}