Just received the hand-made box and translated papers....

The box is fantastic as I would have expected. Beautifully crafted out of wood, polished to a deep shine and just the right size.

The papers are particularly interesting, as Goro informs me that Mr. Kikuno had the instruction and background manual translated to English just for me. A wonderful touch and entirely unnecessary! What's really neat is that there are loads of scans showing the creation of his simple watch, some of which are of my actual watch. The hand-written thank you note is a wonderful touch as well.

I tried to post a few scans from the booklet, as I find it fascinating to gain a glimpse into the world of a watchmaker that focuses to intensely on working with his hands and traditional tools to ply his craft.

Hope you enjoy these.

Darren

The "Soul" of a Watchmaker (a/ka/ my Masahiro Kikuno timepiece finally arrives)

By: Darren : January 5th, 2015-16:32

Hello all. I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and 2015 is off to a good start. For me personally, my year began quite well indeed as my (relatively) long awaited timepiece from Masahiro Kikuno made its way from Japan to the United States and safely onto...

Bravo!

By: matthewking : January 5th, 2015-18:26

Excellent post, I really enjoyed the journey. Thank you for sharing. Kikuno-sensei is leading the Independents here in Japan, and I too can't wait to see what he has in store next. Cheers, Matt

Thanks Matt.

By: Darren : January 6th, 2015-09:33

I'm sure his next offering is going to be something special. He has a style and focus on "old world" craftsmanship that is rather unique. Eagerly awaiting his next announcement..... Darren

that's quite an unusual timepiece! I love it and bravo! What is the movement? [nt]

By: alex : January 6th, 2015-00:37

Appreciate the kind words Alex.

By: Darren : January 6th, 2015-09:37

Unusual indeed. When I first laid eyes on his simple prototype I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at. Dress watch? Sport watch? Casual / everyday timepiece? I ultimately decided it was all of them and none of them at the same time. The movement starte...

This is the kind of moments we like to enjoy.

By: Mark in Paris : January 6th, 2015-07:02

Congratulations for your choice and thanks a lot for sharing the pictures taken during the crafting proccess. Wear it in the best of health Darren. Cheers, Mark

Thanks Mark.

By: Darren : January 6th, 2015-09:38

The journey was half the fun here. Although as Tom Petty so eloquently put it many years ago - "the waiting is the hardest part....." Darren

Absolutely outstanding

By: William M aka Mr.Lume : January 6th, 2015-13:23

Very nice post & the pics show & tell us of his passion to horology.I have a buckle that's made of Mokume-Gane & the maker also showed me the arduous journey to make it, I can only imagine the painstaking time to do a dial. You have a 1 of a k...

Thanks William. Here's another picture...

By: Darren : January 6th, 2015-21:27

of the dial after lots and lots of hammering, heating, cooling, etc. ...

Excellent!

By: DonCorson : January 7th, 2015-01:24

That watch has a strong character, you can see that it was designed and made by a passionate person. If you have more pictures let us see them, I love to see that "dirty finger" work. Enjoy your new watch! Don

Thanks Don.

By: Darren : January 9th, 2015-13:18

Very high compliment coming from you! I'll see if I can dig up some additional scans. The hand-made box is arriving separately, so at a minimum I'll be able to post pictures once I receive it. I'm guessing it will be quite nice. Darren

Congrats! Wonderful choice.....

By: KIH : January 8th, 2015-23:09

Hi Darren, congratulations and wonderful report. I am glad you really like it and got it in time, fortunately. Masahiro is the watchmaker who aims to "surprise" the watchmakers in the past by using the same tool and making the watch by hand. He does get h...

I owe you a debt of gratitude Ken....

By: Darren : January 9th, 2015-13:23

for first introducing us to this wonderful watchmaker. Your "introductory" posts a couple of years ago are part of what make this online hangout so special, as it's unlikely I would have learned about Mr. Kikuno living half-way around the world. He and hi...

Pleasure is all mine... it's my utmost pleasure...

By: KIH : January 9th, 2015-15:37

... to serve this community - we are all watch lovers, and to see the happy faces/ wrists! Best, Ken

What a beauty!! These pictures really show this piece in a new light!

By: Ancienne Le Brassus : January 9th, 2015-06:48

Wow! I'm blown away by this piece, I remember seeing the original pix posted by Ken and while I liked them, I wasn't attracted to it. But your pictures put the piece in a whole new light!! Really a beautiful watch!! Please post more as I'd love to see thi...

Thanks for the kind words....

By: Darren : January 9th, 2015-13:25

I too was not sure what to make of his time-only watch when I first saw it. I knew I was fascinated by it, and loved the workmanship. I was not previously familiar with Mokume-Gane, so a bit of research was in order to learn about the history of this proc...

Awesome watch!

By: takashi78 : January 9th, 2015-22:30

I had the pleasure to examine and see his watches up close when i was in Tokyo previously. Didnt know he was taking orders for the watch and now its stopped. The dial is truly something very special.

You're lucky to have gotten the opportunity....

By: Darren : January 10th, 2015-11:24

to see his watches. I would love to have a look at other models, but for now, I'll have to enjoy scans of them online. While the simple watch run is complete, he is currently creating other models including, I understand, a new one that will be launched s...

Thanks again for sharing

By: Ancienne Le Brassus : January 12th, 2015-02:24

I feel it's a wonderful piece. The pictures you show really demonstrate its character! Must admit I've come to your post all weekend ;) Love the watch!!!! And very very glad that you're sharing here with us!! Thanks and I'll be patient and wait for your n...