Kurono Tokyo has unveiled its latest creation for 2026, the Special Projects 37mm Inseki, which features a captivating meteorite dial. This brand, founded by the talented independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, has made significant strides in the watch industry, especially last year with numerous remarkable releases celebrating Asaoka's 60th birthday. Highlights from their previous lineup include the stunning Grand Jubilee Calendar Salmon and the Ice Blue 2025 Jubilee Sensu EOL, showcasing the brand's commitment to distinctive and stylish designs.
The introduction of the 2026 Special Projects 37mm Inseki is a bold move for Kurono Tokyo, as it marks the first instance where they incorporate an unconventional material—meteorite—into their timepieces. Asaoka explains the inspiration behind this choice, stating, "I found the juxtaposition between the rugged texture of meteorite and the soft contours of our case design intriguing. However, executing this vision presented challenges, particularly maintaining our signature domed dial style while working with such a tough material. Shaping meteorite into a dome is no small feat, so I decided on a bull’s eye design that elegantly curves towards the outer edges."
This new addition retains a familiar case design, measuring a compact 37mm wide and 11.5mm thick, primarily due to the pronounced box-shaped sapphire crystal that crowns it. The case itself boasts a height of only 7mm and is crafted from fully polished stainless steel, although its water-resistance is limited to 30 meters. As seen in many of Kurono's recent releases, the crown features a striking black cabochon, adding an extra touch of elegance.
Inside the case lies a dependable movement sourced from Miyota, a prominent Japanese manufacturer part of the Citizen Group. Specifically, it houses the calibre 90S5, an automatic movement operating at 4Hz, known for its effectiveness and reliability, providing approximately 40 hours of power reserve without any frills.
The true star of the 2026 Kurono Special Projects 37mm Inseki is undoubtedly the dial. At its heart is a textured center crafted from Muonionalusta meteorite, an ancient iron-nickel meteorite renowned for its distinctive patterns, complemented by a white lacquered chapter ring featuring Hajime's custom-designed Calligra typeface inspired by Breguet numerals. This unique dial design is accentuated by hand-bent, high-polished steel hands. To ensure quality and consistency throughout the production process, Asaoka personally examined each dial, selecting only those that displayed strong and well-defined Widmanstätten patterns. Each watch proudly showcases Hajime’s personal seal on the dial, indicating his direct involvement in its creation.
The watch is paired with a luxurious black calf leather strap, measuring 20mm in width and secured with a polished pin buckle. Notably, the 2026 Kurono Special Projects 37mm Inseki with the meteorite dial will be released in limited quantities, with no plans for further production (the exact number of pieces produced has not been disclosed). It will be available for purchase online at kuronotokyo.com starting Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:00 PM JST (2:00 PM GMT), with a strict limit of one watch per customer. Shipping is anticipated to begin at the end of February 2026, and the retail price is set at USD 1,850, excluding taxes and a 15% tariff applicable to exports to the United States.
Technical Specifications – 2026 Kurono Special Projects 37mm Inseki Meteorite
- Case: 37mm diameter, 11.5mm thickness (or 7mm without the crystal), approximately 45mm lug-to-lug; polished 316L stainless steel; box-shaped sapphire crystal; crown featuring an onyx cabochon; 30m water resistance.
- Dial: Center crafted from grey Muonionalusta meteorite; Hajime’s personal seal printed on the dial; white lacquered chapter ring with black printed, hand-drawn Breguet-style numerals; polished and bent steel hands.
- Movement: Miyota calibre 90S5 (Japan-made); automatic; 24 jewels; 28,800 vibrations per hour; 40-hour power reserve; displays hours, minutes, and seconds.
- Strap: Black calfskin strap with steel pin buckle; dimensions of 20/16mm.
- Availability: Limited production; available online starting Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 2 PM GMT; strictly one purchase per customer; deliveries expected from late February 2026.
- Price: USD 1,850, excluding taxes and subject to a 15% tariff for US exports.
