The New Hajime Asaoka Tsunami Edition Blanche, A Subtle Evolution of a Modern Classic

Some watches impress instantly, while others reveal themselves slowly. The Tsunami by Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka looks disarmingly simple, especially at first glance: a compact, time-only watch with classical proportions, a sort of high-end Japanese Calatrava, as sleek and discreet as it can be. Spend time with it, and it opens up, becoming a perfect expression of independent watchmaking, shaped by one man’s vision, his discipline and, to some extent, his refusal to follow convention.

This latest iteration of the Tsunami, the Édition Blanche, is a refined take on the model launched around 2013 and is a personal, almost philosophical expression of what a perfect time-only mechanical watch should be. Not Asaoka’s most complex watch, but arguably his most representative.

The maker

Hajime Asaoka is a self-taught watchmaker, now a member of the AHCI, with a background in product design. He developed his craft through the application of basic principles, books, machines, and iteration. From his Tokyo workshop, he produces a handful of watches per year, each largely made in-house, each reflecting his vision of horology.

Asaoka is also the founder of Precision Watch Tokyo (PWT), the company through which he develops more accessible brands, such as Kurono Tokyo, which focuses on the man’s refined design with outsourced movements at accessible prices, and Otsuka Lotec, led by Jiro Katayama. PWT has created an ecosystem around Asaoka’s work, but his own name remains reserved for his most exceptional pieces.

Like very few independent watchmakers, Asaoka doesn’t produce watches as a brand. He builds them as a craftsman. Output remains very, very low, often just a few pieces per year, and each watch carries the sense of a watchmaker’s direct involvement. Call it personal watchmaking, and at the centre of that work is the Tsunami, Hajime Asaoka’s signature piece. The watchmaker took part in the AHCI exhibition during the Geneva Watch Week earlier this month, and we were fortunate enough to experience the latest Tsunami iteration with the watchmaker present. An uplifting experience, here’s our impression.

The Case

Read the specs, and the Tsunami Édition Blanche will seem a modest watch. Around 37mm in diameter, relatively slim, compact, and wearable, like so many more out there. But what good are numbers if they don’t tell the full story?

The Tsunami case has always been restrained, with smooth, polished and brushed surfaces, a nicely stepped bezel, slender lugs, and a comfortable fluted crown. In this updated version, the design feels slightly more resolved, up to date. Edges appear sharper, transitions cleaner, proportions more balanced. Still confident in execution, with nothing exaggerated, nothing unnecessary.

It wears close to the wrist, almost disappearing in terms of thickness, but its clarity of form maintains a satisfying presence. This is not a sports watch, not a formal dress piece; is it a daily one? Very well may be, a watch that can live daily life without feeling out of place, but let’s be honest, a certain degree of sophistication is required.

The Dial

The Tsunami has always had a rather strong graphic identity, with Art Deco influences. Sector layouts, contrasting tones, layered construction. This was very much true in the aptly named Art Deco edition released in 2024. This new version keeps the foundation but offers a very different execution. Quieter, sleeker but no less appealing.

The new Tsunami Édition Blanche dial looks cleaner, better integrated, and a logical, solid whole within the overall updated concept. Elements such as the minutes track, the chapter ring, and the snailed sub-seconds feel better integrated, less segmented. The contrast between the central portion with vertical stripes, chapter ring and its Breguet-style numerals and sub-seconds display is still there but handled with more subtlety. Light plays differently across the surface, revealing elements rather than relying purely on colour separation. Don’t get me wrong, the earlier versions, and there were a few, were no less impressive and expressive, but blame it on personal preference for white-coloured dials, this new one is special.

Speaking of white, Asaoka specifically mentions that “while most makers typically specify ‘white’ without considering the material itself, I research and select the pigment at its elemental level to ensure both precise colouration and long-lasting durability. Pigment is mixed into resin to create dial coating. On this dial, I used a higher proportion of pigment than usual. By combining both this formulation and the dial painting method, both of which I developed myself, the result is a particularly solid white and a finish that resists discolouration over time.” 

The typography remains distinctly Asaoka, precise, never overly decorative. Each numeral is executed in the watchmaker’s original typeface. “I individually hand-lettered the master artwork for each digit. Drawing upon my extensive experience studying calligraphy as a design professional, I have poured that expertise into the typography of this watch,” he explains.

The syringe hands retain their sculptural (Empire-State-spire-like) quality, catching light in a way that works for legibility. To summarise, what stands out most is the sense of balance. Some earlier Tsunami models could feel bold, almost too graphic in their contrasts. This Tsunami Édition Blanche version feels calmer; a quieter wave. 

The Movement 

The movement, revealed through the sapphire caseback, is where Asaoka’s watchmaking approach becomes almost tangible. Presence, proportion and mechanical expression. The unmistakable, oversized balance wheel (15mm in diameter) dominates the movement. It beats at a slow pace of 2.5Hz, so you have the time to observe the back and forth motion. Next to, contrasting with the overall rigour of the movement, is a large and highly decorated gold wheel, with curved spokes that look like tentacles, finished at a high level of decoration – this is what the master calls the Tako wheel.

The architecture around it is open, deliberate. Bridges are shaped as if to frame rather than hide. Finishing is entirely hand-executed, with visible striping, anglage, and perlage. It may not aim for the hyper-polished perfection of the most traditional Swiss masters, but it has clarity and honesty, something equally compelling, as every component exists for a reason, and that reason is visible.

Thoughts

Despite its rarity and craftsmanship, the Tsunami has always been a watch to wear, and that remains true here. The size, elegant profile, and restrained design make a watch that feels natural in daily use. And this is one of the most surprising aspects of Asaoka’s work. For a piece made in such limited numbers (this edition is already sold out), by hand, with such attention to detail, it doesn’t demand special occasions. It begs for regular companionship. The price… USD 30,000. Certainly not accessible, but not out of place either.

However, the personal watchmaking aspect comes along with an emotional component. Owning a Tsunami is not just about the object itself, but about the connection to its maker. You are buying into a person’s work. That’s something only independent watchmaking can offer, and it is rare. For more details, visit www.hajimeasaoka.com.