Independents

Interview with Masahiro Kikuno - AHCI Candidate I had an opportunity to meet him and visit his workshop (he had never invited anyone there). We spen t hours and hours talking about his history and passion, as well as his watches and philosophy. The follow...  

Addendum - for those interested. The photos (from his iPad) to show how he made Tourbillon 2012... Tourbillon parts Balance wheel inside tourbillon cage Hand made with fretsaw The "second hand" of tourbillon Again, hand made with fretsaw Branch of hydrang...  

Cause that's how it should be as each character accounts for roughly 2hrs of time lapsing when using for telling a day's time how much r these AHCI candidate's prototypes r going for? they r quite interesting:) cheers, Ed

As for the temporal hour watch, he will make it smaller and available for sale next year, so there is no price set. One Tourbillon 2012 has been sold and this pink gold one is available for sale, but he doesn't even have the box or paper yet...... He will... 

thanks for this wonderful post, Ken. I had the pleasure to talk to Kikunosan at Basel 2012 and was impressed with his Tourbillion 2012 and his nice and modest personality. It was wonderful for me to learn and see more abou this work through your report an... 

.... he would like to speed up making process, but not easy... Yes, best wishes for his success from me, too. Ken

Very interesting and definitely unique. Thank you Ken for introducing us to this talented young man. Looking forward to his future and career with great interest!

It's always nice a bit of fresh air, specially when it's pure. Vte :)

I am really rooting for him to succeed! He has some great ideas and a unique perspective, based on the pieces that have already been created! Thanks for the introduction to Kikuno-san! :-) Few things are more exciting than a new young independent watchmak... 

I like how his watches has a different portray of the Japanese culture in the index. Does he make watches in SS? I always wonder, why wont independents publish retail price for their watches on their website or FB page. Then one would know how much to sav... 

... I think he will make one someday when he starts the commercial line. For now, he focuses on the third Basel and to become an official member of AHCI.... As for the price, he doesn't show simply because he doesn't think his works are for commercial pur... 

Will definitely make a point of catching up with Kikuno-san at Basel 2013. Thanks, Ken !

He will surely be happy to answer any questions, but pardon him for not being too fluent in English :-) He should do fine, though. Thank you! Ken

If you could suggest one thing to Masahiro that might make his work "translate" better to people not fluent with Japanese timekeeping, a video of the Temporal Hour watch in operation, with the blocks moving around the dial. It's one of those things that I... 

... the actual move of the index with hour and minute hands fast forwarding? I saw it in the atelier, but didn't take video... Sorry...... But it takes 365 days (or rounds of the hour hand) to show the full cycle of the index "shift", so I hesitated :-) M... 

it'd make a great stop-motion video, a pic every time the hands are at 12 o'clock, at 30 fps would be a 30 second clip....but I'm 9000 miles away, so not on the hook to take 730 pictures ;) A

... probably next year when he finished the smaller version of it. But not 730 shots :-) Just a few days or perhaps a week worth of fast forwarding. That would be enough to break my fingers..... Hey, he can make one for Boston version, too, with Roman ind... 

all the numbers fall to the bottom to cover the months where we never see the sun! A

Another independent from Asia :). Will wait for future watch, as his current watches are all too big for my taste. cen@jkt

... he will start making the right size for the Asian wrists :-) Ken

I was lucily eniugh to see the piece and chat to him last year at Basel. I must say I was impressed by the 2012 tourbillon and especially liked the curves of the case and lugs. I did raise the issue of purchasing one of his pieces (for myself) but I remem... 

... he hasn't had time to produce enough for sale (busy for Basel 2013 to become the official member of AHCI), let alone preparing the proper box and paper, he really did not want to promote his product. But I know one person purchased anyway (without B&a... 

I loved reading this. One of the best articles on here I have seen. I split my time between the US and Japan and feel this was really well done. It covers the cultural differences in watchmaking without fetishizing the Japanese aspects as often happens or... 

I am very flattered. Maybe because I am already Japanese, I didn't pay too much attention on the Japanese side of his works. Thank you! Ken

Thank you. I would love to know more about Hajime Asaoka as well. Two great talents from Japan, that have the passion!

NT

I know the world hides many other Indies here and there and I'm glad you can present another one to us. His work is original and I'm curious to see how it will evolve. Thanks for the long report Ken. Cheers, Mark

.. he is still evolving. Let's us expect great collection from his atelier going forward! Ken

I am really impressed with how much he has achieved so far. Look forward to seeing his progress. S

and I find it particularly interesting to read about indies from parts of the world where we haven't seen many to date. Amazing what he's been able to accomplish at such a young age, and bodes well for what we might expect in the future. Thanks for a wond... 

... here, and big watch brands have been very strong as well. So, it has been the matter of time :-) But, there are lots of hurdles to many young watchmakers..... including but not limited to the lack of parts suppliers. Big names such as Seiko and Citize... 

You have a knack for interviews, Ken. I enjoyed this one very much. I also enjoyed the Japanese perspective as articulated by Mr. Kikuno. One of your best, Ken :)

Nice to see you here and my apologies for my absence from the Photography forum. My bad and my bad elbow... Thank you! Stay tuned for more! Ken

Thanks for the report!

I just hope the best for all the watch industry.... and watch lovers like us. Ken

... to get to the interview. I just hope to help those young watchmakers, for the whole industry in the future. Ken

...and detail. And great to see a young guy get the exposure. Great job.

He has picked a challenging path and I would like to wish him every success! Thank you for this wonderful report to bring him to the world's attention!

.. great watchmakers 300 years ago could do it and why not the great watchmakers today? I totally agree with him on that. Thank you! Ken