Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Kiwame Tokyo Yane
Inspired by architectural features of historic Japanese temples in Asakusa, Kiwame introduces its first rectangular watch.
Kiwame Tokyo, the independent Japanese microbrand, is something of an anomaly in a country dominated by big players like Seiko, Orient, Citizen and Grand Seiko. Based in Asakusa, the historical centre of Tokyo, the brand founded by Masami Watanabe produces stylish Calatrava-inspired dress watches at relatively affordable prices. Named after the Japanese word for roof and inspired by the historic temples of Asakusa, the new Yane models come in a stylish rectangular case.
To date, we’ve covered the compact 38mm, 1940s-inspired Kurotsuki and Usuki watches; the brand’s inaugural pieces, followed by the more utilitarian and rugged Iwao field watch; the Mune series with details inspired by traditional Japanese roofs; and the 37mm Kubo collection with its recessed small seconds sub-dial. In a departure from the mid-century-inspired round cases, Kiwame goes for a rectangular case with a strong Art Deco vibe.
Louis Cartier’s rectangular Tank watch of 1917 was the first proponent of the streamlined geometric symmetry that would dominate the Art Deco movement. Inspired by this period, the new Yane comes in a 44mm long rectangular stainless steel case with a width of 26.5mm and a thickness of 9.7mm, with a design incorporating features from traditional Japanese temple architecture.
Asakusa, Tokyo’s famous historic district, preserves the atmosphere of shitamachi (old-town Tokyo) and is centred around the city’s famous 7th-century Senso-ji Buddhist temple with its dramatically sweeping rooftops. Viewed from the side, the sweeping lines of the polished case emulate the silhouette of a temple. The top and bottom ends of the case feature concave depressions decorated with a series of engraved horizontal grooves that emulate the rhythmic rows of traditional Japanese temple roof tiles.
Available with brown or black lacquered dials, the deliberate lack of hour markers gives them a sleek, minimalist appeal. The only index, applied at noon, emulates the shape of a mune, the topmost ridge of a temple’s roof. The reverse side of the case also features a pattern inspired by the taruki, or exposed roof rafters found beneath traditional temple eaves.
A compact Japanese Miyota automatic movement powers the watch. Calibre 6T27, a three-hand movement designed for small watches, measures 19.8mm x 5.23mm, has 21 jewels and a high-beat 4Hz frequency. Delivering just the hours and minutes, the power reserve is 40 hours.
The brown lacquer model is paired with a brown (20mm tapering to 16mm) Italian calfskin strap; the black dial is paired with a black leather strap, both fitted with quick-release spring bars. Pre-orders for the first batch of 400 pieces (200 in each dial colour) open on 19 August 2026 at 11:00 (JST), with deliveries estimated at the end of December. Sales will resume in January 2027. The retail price is USD 730 (excl. tax).
More information at KiwameTokyo.com.
