Kurono Tokyo, Hajime Asaoka’s approachable watch brand, has introduced their first new release of 2026 on the very first workday of the year. Nothing like getting right back into the swing of things. The new piece, part of the brand’s “Special Projects” series, introduces meteorite to the collection for the first time. The Inseki features many of the Kurono hallmarks that have made the brand a favorite among enthusiasts over these last several years, while riding a trend in watchmaking in a rather elegant way that still feels appropriate for the brand.
The centerpiece of the watch is the gray meteorite dial, taken from the Muonionalusta meteorite which fell in what is now Sweden about one million years ago. The small slab of meteorite, with the familiar striations that make the material so interesting, is surrounded by a white lacquered outer ring where you’ll find Asaoka’s custom “Calligra” typeface numerals, which have been painted in high relief. It’s a really spare execution, accented by hand bent, high polish steel hands, a design detail that has become a Kurono signature.
Kurono notes that, as with all meteorite dials, no two are exactly the same. Asaoka, in the press materials for the Inseki, further explains that sometimes the variance in this material results in a piece of meteorite that is not particularly visually interesting. For this release, Asaoka has personally selected each piece of meteorite for inclusion in the Inseki’s run, and the watchmaker’s seal can be found in red on each dial as visual proof of this concept.
The Inseki has a 37mm stainless steel case that is the standard for watches in the Special Projects series. I’ve always admired how Kurono has stuck to their modest sizing preferences, even before the tide has turned to a preference for smaller cases. The watch runs on a Miyota 90S5 caliber with a 40 hour power reserve, and is water resistant to 30 meters. The case is 11.5mm tall (sapphire crystal included) and is mounted to a calf leather strap.
The Inseki is described as “limited production” but the actual number of watches made has not been disclosed. The retail price is $1,850, and it will go on sale on January 15 at 9:00 AM, east coast time. Deliveries are expected to begin in February. Kurono Tokyo
Zach Kazan
2026-01-05 15:00:00