Celebrating a Diamond Jubilee
Kurono Tokyo marks Hajime Asaoka’s 60th birthday in style with a special edition that honors the designer’s enduring influence on accessible luxury. The Grand Jubilee Calendar salmon dial is the final flourish in a year-long celebration, following the elegant 2025 Jubilee Sensu EOL and designed to be a more dressy interpretation of Asaoka’s calendar complication.
A Refined, Calatrava-Inspired Aesthetic
Departing from the more robust look of prior calendars, the Grand Jubilee Calendar embraces restraint and sophistication. The bezel is smooth, polished, and concave, offering a Calatrava-like lineage without shouting its heritage. The case diameter is 38mm with a slim profile of 11.5mm (10mm with the box-shaped sapphire crystal). The full-polished finish and slim silhouette convey a classic, dress-ready presence on the wrist.
Dial Details That Echo Asaoka’s Signature
The salmon dial is matte with a lightly granular texture, a color evocative of Tokyo’s autumn foliage. Central vertical stamped strokes—an element seen in Asaoka’s higher-end tourbillons—add depth and a tactile rhythm to the surface. The calendar indications are organized with a date window at 6 o’clock and two recessed sub-dials for the month and day, all framed by a finely tuned railroad minute track and black pad-printed Arabic numerals.
The hands are polished, domed and carefully bent to follow the convex curve of the crystal, culminating in a bold onyx-like black finish that Asaoka has described as a technical challenge to source. This subtle contrast keeps legibility intact while underscoring the watch’s refined, low-key elegance.
Movement, Build, and Finishing Touches
Inside lies a reliable Miyota automatic caliber 9122, a practical choice that complements the watch’s understated aesthetic. Operating at 4Hz, it delivers about 40 hours of power reserve—adequate for a daily-wearing calendar watch without the need for frequent winding. The calendar correctors on the case flank preserve a clean exterior line, a reminder of the movement’s robust, well-executed design married to a sleek surface.
The Grand Jubilee Calendar is paired with a 20/16mm black calfskin leather strap, finished with a classic steel pin buckle. The screwed solid steel case back features a solid gold medallion engraved with Hajime Asaoka’s personal signature, and the crown bears a resonant black onyx cabochon—a signature Diamond Jubilee accent that anchors the watch in its ceremonial role.
A Statement for Every Occasion
While it carries the weight of a limited-edition tribute, the Grand Jubilee Calendar remains highly wearable. Its compact size, restrained color palette, and legible calendar layout position it as an everyday dress watch that still speaks to the pedigree of Asaoka’s designs. For collectors, it’s a focal point—an accessible entry into a lineage of high-end Japanese watchmaking that blends tradition with modern finishing in a single, elegant timepiece.
Availability and What It Means for Collectors
As part of Kurono Tokyo’s diamond jubilee celebration, this salmon-toned calendar is positioned to attract enthusiasts who value thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and a sense of occasion. While precise pricing and limited quantities may vary by market, the Grand Jubilee Calendar is presented as a refined, more accessible interpretation of Hajime Asaoka’s calendar architecture—an ideal complement to the brand’s higher-end, more experimental models.
Why This Watch Stands Out
- 38mm, 11.5mm thick (10mm with sapphire), polished concave bezel for a timeless silhouette
- Matte salmon dial with vertical stamping, black numerals and rail track for legibility
- Calendar window at 6 o’clock with two sunken sub-dials for month and weekday
- Reliable Miyota 9122 automatic movement with ~40-hour power reserve
- Diamond Jubilee crown with black onyx cabochon and gold medallion on the case back
The Kurono Tokyo Grand Jubilee Calendar salmon dial is more than a watch. It’s a celebration of an enduring design philosophy—timeless, meticulously crafted, and accessible to a broader audience without compromising the essence of Hajime Asaoka’s artistry.
