We often associate the world of watches with Switzerland and Europe, but there are fascinating watchmakers beyond these regions. Japan is known for its prolific independent watchmaking scene, and one of its notable figures is Hajime Asaoka. Asaoka is not only the creator of his eponymous brand but also the man behind the resurrection of the old Japanese brand, Takano. The first model to bear the Takano name again is the Chateau Nouvelle Chronometer, which offers several interesting features.
Japan has been a hub for watchmaking for over a century, with brands like Seiko and Citizen being industry giants. However, before the market became polarized, there were numerous smaller brands and ateliers in Japan. Takano Clock Manufacturing was founded in 1899 and started as a clock maker. In 1913, Takano Metal Manufacturing was established to produce metal table clocks. Both companies merged and began producing instruments for military use. In 1957, Takano started producing wristwatches, initially using outsourced movements by Durowe, a German brand. They also collaborated with American company Hamilton for the Japanese market. In 1959, Takano began manufacturing their own movements and introduced the "Chateau" collection. Unfortunately, competition from Citizen and Seiko, as well as natural disasters, led to the company's insolvency in 1961. Takano was later absorbed by Ricoh, who occasionally used the name for limited editions.
Under the ownership of Ricoh, Tokyo Watch Precision Co. obtained a license to use the Takano name. Hajime Asaoka, a renowned indie watchmaker in Japan, took on the responsibility of resurrecting the Takano brand. Asaoka established the Hajime Asaoka Design Office in 1992 and began making watches in 2005. He is known for his craftsmanship and has worked on various projects, including Kurono Tokyo. With the support of Tokyo Watch Precision Co., Asaoka now oversees the production of his own watches as well as Takano.
The Chateau Nouvelle Chronometer is the first watch to be released under the Takano brand since its revival. This elegant dress watch features a classic chronometer design with a compact 37mm diameter. The steel case is meticulously designed and finished with a mirror-polished surface using the Zaratsu technique. The dial is available in black or white and features polished hour markers and Asaoka's signature "skyscraper shape" hands. The see-through caseback reveals the Takano caliber 90T, which is based on the Miyota 9015 movement. The movement has been adjusted to chronometer specifications by Tokyo Tokei Seimitsu and certified by the Observatoire de Besançon, making it the first Japanese watch to pass their rigorous testing.
The Takano Chateau Nouvelle Chronometer will be released as a permanent collection and is priced at approximately EUR 5,400. For more information, please visit the brand's website.
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