Kurono Tokyo 2026 Special Projects 37mm INSEKI '隕石'

Introducing the new Kurono Special Projects 37mm INSEKI ‘隕石’, a personal study by Hajime Asaoka as he brings meteorite into the Kurono Tokyo design language after many years of contemplation.

Gray meteorite is complemented by a white lacquered ring that features Hajime's personally designed Calligra typeface painted in high relief, with the monochromatic look finished with hand-bent high-polished steel hands.

I’d actually been thinking about using meteorite for Kurono for quite some time. I felt that the contrast between meteorite’s rugged texture and our soft, gentle case design would be fascinating. But there were two challenges in bringing the idea to life. One of the defining features of the Kurono Tokyo is its cylindrical dial, and I wanted to preserve that even when working with meteorite. Shaping meteorite itself into a cylindrical form is extremely difficult, so I explored a bull’s-eye design instead—using meteorite for the central section and giving the surrounding area a gentle curve toward the outer edge. With this approach, I think we achieved a meteorite dial that still feels distinctly like a Kurono Tokyo." - Hajime Asaoka.

The meteorite we used is called the Muonionalusta meteorite, which fell in what is now Sweden roughly one million years ago. Its main component is iron, and when you cut and etch it, differences in its crystalline structure reveal distinctive natural patterns. Because of this, every meteorite dial is unique; no two are ever the same. At times, though, the pattern can turn out somewhat plain—that was the second challenge. To address this, I personally inspected every single dial and selected only those with compelling patterns. As proof of that selection, I added my personal seal to the dial. A million years is long before the emergence of humankind. When you glance at your watch to check your plans for the day and see a piece of meteorite that has endured for such an immense span of time, the hours of everyday life start to feel incredibly small. That’s what I felt while wearing the prototype. This watch may even make you a little more relaxed (perhaps too relaxed) about time. Consider yourself warned :)"

Individually selected dials

At times, the natural pattern of meteorite can appear understated. To ensure that only the most visually compelling meteorite patterns were used, Hajime Asaoka personally inspected every single dial. Only those with strong, well-defined character were selected for final assembly. As a mark of this personal selection, each watch bears Hajime’s own seal on the dial.

Unique Calligra typeface

Hajime Asaoka drew upon his art school training in lettering and personally hand-drew each of the Breguet numerals (1 to 12) using a pen to ensure an authentic, human touch, similar to how original Breguet markers were created two centuries ago. The best examples were then carefully selected, enlarged, and used as the original template. Here, the indices are painted black in high relief against white lacquer.

About Muonionalusta

The Muonionalusta meteorite is an iron-nickel meteorite classified as a fine octahedrite (type IVA). It is one of the oldest known meteorites found on Earth, with a formation age estimated at over 4.5 billion years, predating the Earth itself. Studies have shown it impacting the Earth (northern Scandinavia) during the Quaternary Period, about one million years ago. It is quite clearly part of the iron core or mantle of a planetoid, which shattered into many pieces upon its fall on our planet. Since then, it has survived four separate ice ages, which helped preserve its structure in the Arctic permafrost.

Widmanstätten Pattern: When sliced and etched with acid, it reveals a striking geometric crystal structure known as the Widmanstätten pattern. These patterns form through the extremely slow cooling of iron-nickel alloy in space—roughly 1°C every million years.

Composition: It consists of approximately 91% iron and 8.4% nickel, with trace amounts of rare elements like gallium, germanium, and iridium.

The Kurono Special Projects 37mm INSEKI '隕石' is a limited production release and will not be repeated. Strictly one purchase per customer.

Technical specifications

Kurono Tokyo 2026 Special Projects 37mm INSEKI '隕石'

Limited production, will not be repeated.

Case

• Material: Stainless steel (316L, high-polished)
• Diameter: 37mm
• Thickness: 7mm (including crystal: 11.5 mm)
• Glass: Sapphire box crystal
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Meteorite dial
• Hand-drawn Breguet hour markers
• Hajime’s own seal in red at 6 o'clock

Movement

• Miyota 90S5
• Automatic movement
• Number of jewels: 24
• Frequency: 4 Hz, 28,800 vph
• Power reserve of approx. 40 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, seconds

Strap and buckle

• Calf leather strap
• Lug width: 20 mm (16 mm at buckle)

MSRP: USD 1'850 (excl. taxes)

For more information, please visit kuronotokyo.com