Kurono Tokyo Marks its Diamond Jubilee with a Salmon Dial
In 2025, Kurono Tokyo, the accessible line by renowned Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, celebrates a landmark: his 60th birthday and the brand’s diamond jubilee. The new Grand Jubilee Calendar Salmon Dial is the latest edition in a year-long tribute, designed to honor Asaoka’s signature aesthetic while offering a more restrained, elegant interpretation of his high-end inspirations.
A Dressier, More Refined Calendar
The calendar complication isn’t new to Kurono, but this 38mm Grand Jubilee Calendar redefines the concept for a dressier wearer. Compared with the earlier Calendrier Type I and the 2022 model with a coin-edge bezel, this edition leans into a smooth, polished, and concave bezel that hints at Calatrava-inspired refinement. The overall form is compact and versatile, sitting at 11.5mm thick (10mm with the box-shaped sapphire crystal), making it comfortable for daily wear or formal occasions.
Dial Details That Tie Back to Asaoka’s Heritage
The dial is where the connection to Asaoka’s broader oeuvre is most evident. A matte, lightly grained salmon tone evokes autumn in Tokyo, pairing gracefully with a subdued palette that never feels loud. Stamped vertical strokes in the dial’s center echo design cues seen on Asaoka’s tourbillon models, delivering a subtle nod to his craftsmanship. The calendar is showcased with a date window at 6 o’clock and two sunken sub-dials for the month and weekday indications, all harmonized with a crisp railroad minute track and black Arabic numerals.
The hour and minute hands are polished, domed, and curved to follow the crystal’s contour, finished in an onyx-like black. Asaoka has noted the difficulty of achieving this black finish, underscoring the model’s attention to detail—even in an accessible price tier. The overall color story, inspired by autumn leaves, makes the watch feel timeless and versatile, whether worn with a suit or a casual outfit.
Movement, Construction, and Finishing
Under the dial lies a reliable Miyota automatic caliber 9122. Running at 4Hz, this movement provides about 40 hours of power reserve, which is a practical and robust choice for a calendar watch in the 38–ish millimeter class. The caseback is solid steel and secured with screws, featuring a solid gold medallion engraved with Hajime Asaoka’s personal signature—an unmistakable mark of the Diamond Jubilee edition. The crown is accented with a black onyx cabochon, a signature element that ties the watch to the celebratory edition’s premium feel.
Finish, Fit, and Wearability
The Grand Jubilee Calendar is paired with a black calfskin leather strap in a 20/16mm taper, closed by a classic steel pin buckle. The all-polished case surfaces, paired with the smooth concave bezel and the sawn, almost mirage-like edges of the sapphire, deliver a refined silhouette that’s easy to wear in any setting. The salmon dial remains a focal point—distinctive enough to catch the eye, yet subdued enough to remain deeply legible at a glance.
Availability and Price Considerations
As with many of Kurono’s limited or special editions, availability is finite and pricing reflects its positioning as a celebratory model in Hajime Asaoka’s Diamond Jubilee. The Grand Jubilee Calendar Salmon Dial is an invitation to own a piece of modern Japanese horology that bridges a boutique handmade ethos with accessible pricing, without compromising on the design DNA that has defined Asaoka’s work for years.
Why This Model Matters in 2025
For enthusiasts following Kurono Tokyo’s roll-call of anniversary pieces, the Salmon Dial Grand Jubilee Calendar stands out as a compact, elegant, and highly legible interpretation of a calendar complication. It preserves the brand’s approachable ethos while delivering the finish, dial language, and subtle luxury cues that traditional dress watches celebrate. In the broader arc of Hajime Asaoka’s 60th Diamond Jubilee, this model serves as a bridge between the brand’s accessible origins and its aspirational craftsmanship—proof that critical design decisions can elevate a watch without alienating its audience.
