In a bid to preserve Japan’s rich cultural heritage, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has announced an extraordinary watch auction titled Toki: Watch Auction, taking place on November 22nd in Hong Kong. The thematic event will feature a curated collection of independent timepieces that celebrate Japanese horology, with a special focus on raising funds for the recovery of Wajima-nuri, a centuries-old lacquerware craft devastated by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in January 2024.
In an unprecedented act of philanthropy, renowned Japanese independent watchmakers Hajime Asaoka and Jiro Katayama have crafted unique timepieces to raise funds for this noble cause. Asaoka’s Takano Chateau Nouvel Chronometer and Katayama’s Ōtsuka Lōtec №6 Shinonome will be auctioned, with all proceeds going toward the restoration of Wajima-nuri.
Hajime Asaoka, a master watchmaker and founder of Precision Watch Tokyo Co., has revived the historic Takano brand, originally established in 1899. The Takano Chateau Nouvel Chronometer, finished in a hue inspired by the “toki iro” (Asian Crested Ibis), embodies the legacy of Japanese craftsmanship. This chronometer, certified by the Besancon Observatory, is a symbol of precision and artistry, merging Japan’s horological innovation with cultural reverence.
Jiro Katayama’s Ōtsuka Lōtec №6 Shinonome represents a fusion of mid-20th-century industrial design with contemporary watchmaking. Featuring a semi-skeletonized dial and a blackened stainless-steel case, this striking timepiece offers collectors a rare opportunity to own a unique piece that pays tribute to both Japan’s industrial past and its horological future.
Adding further prestige to the auction, Kurono Tokyo, founded by Hajime Asaoka, will present the Grand Niji. This one-of-a-kind timepiece showcases a rainbow-hued Urushi lacquer dial, handcrafted by Megumi Shimamoto, a renowned artisan in the traditional Japanese Urushi technique. The dial’s mesmerizing spectrum of colors will evolve over time, turning this 18K pink gold watch into a living piece of art.
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