Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Kiwame Tokyo Releases the New Kubo Collection
A trilogy of compact dress watches with glossy lacquered dials and recessed small seconds evokes the Japanese appreciation for depth and shadows.
Kiwame Tokyo is a young Japanese microbrand founded in 2025 by watch industry veteran Masami Watanabe, dedicated to “honest watchmaking” from Asakusa, Tokyo. By this, Watanabe refers to timeless, well-finished and designed watches at accessible prices that steer clear of artifice and superficiality. The strong Calatrava dress-watch vibe of the debut Kurotsuki and Usuki models sets the tone for the brand as it returns with Kubo, a small seconds collection inspired by the Japanese appreciation for depth and shadow.
The Kubo series is Kiwame Tokyo’s fourth collection, and the name Kubo, which means hollow or recessed space, was chosen to describe the shadows produced by subtle variations in depth. Pursuing the more vintage vibe of the Kurotsuki, Usuki and Mune families, the Kubo has the classic proportions of a dress watch and is the most compact reference to date with a 37mm diameter, a height of 9.3mm (10.7mm with the domed sapphire crystal) and a lug-to-lug of 45mm.
The steel case, decorated with a vertical brushed finish along the flanks and bezel, also features polished areas on the top surface of the case and the sides of the flat bezel. Although many dress watches settle for elegant, polished surfaces throughout, the predominance of brushed finishes is practical and encourages everyday wear.
Anyone familiar with Japanese watchmaking will be aware of the importance of shadow and light. To achieve this subtle interplay, the dial features an off-centred, recessed small seconds counter at 4:30. With no peripheral seconds track to distract, the depression created by the small seconds is animated by a hand with the brand’s signature counterweight shaped like the great roof of the Kaminarimon Gate in Akasuka. Note that the pink Sakura model features the contours of a cherry blossom flower inside the small seconds counter.
The glossy lacquered dials, available in three colours – soft pink Sakura, navy blue Tetsukon and ivory Usuki – gently reflect the light. The hours are indicated by applied Breguet-style Arabic numerals with diamond-shaped indicators at 5-minute intervals. The softer colour palette of the Sakura and Usuki has green luminescent triangles at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, while the bolder blue Tetsukon has 12 luminescent markers. All three share syringe-shaped hands with blue luminescent material.
The collection is powered by the Miyota 82S5 automatic 3Hz movement with a 42-hour power reserve. While a sealed caseback protects the movement, the case offers only 30m water resistance. The three watches are paired with Italian calfskin leather straps with quick-release spring bars. They share a very fair retail price of USD 630 (excl. tax). Pre-orders open on 21 June 2026 at 11:00 AM (JST), with deliveries estimated for the end of July.
More information at KiwameTokyo.com.
Sponsored post: This article is sponsored by Kiwame Tokyo. However, it reflects the writer’s opinion and has been written in accordance with MONOCHROME’s editorial policy.
