Otsuka Lotec No. 8

After securing the Challenge Watch Prize at the 2024 GPHG, Jiro Katayama of Otsuka Lotec continues to blur the line between horology and industrial art. His latest release, the No. 8, has just been introduced, drawing its aesthetic DNA straight from the golden age of analog studio gear. It is a masterclass in functional design, where the dial feels less like a watch and more like a high-precision audio interface.

The Analog Console Aesthetic

The dial of the No. 8 is a direct nod to the analog mixing console, where the passage of time is monitored like an incoming audio signal. Katayama explicitly uses professional studio terminology to describe the interface, specifically referencing the layout of legendary consoles like the REDD.37.

• The "Hour Channel": The left disk, which functions as a jumping hour indicator, mimics the stepped rotary selectors found on vintage amplifiers and mixing consoles.

• The "Minute Fader": The right side features a retrograde minute scale designed to look like a sliding fader or a level meter. As the minutes pass, the disk creates a sense of mechanical tension before snapping back to zero.

• The "Seconds Disk": Positioned at 12 o'clock, this small rotating disk tracks the seconds.

Once every hour, a variety of functions operate together beneath the crystal – the hour channel jumping in a single motion, while the minute fader, linked to the flywheel, returns from 60 minutes to 0. Through the side of the crystal, the motion of the minute fader unfolds between the two-layered dial, as a seconds disk above remains in constant rotation at one revolution every 90 seconds.

The No. 8 features a MIYOTA movement with an in-house module. The module is composed of 62 components and uses one ultra-small 1.5 mm ball bearing manufactured by MinebeaMitsumi, currently the smallest in the world, as well as two additional 2.5 mm ball bearings.

Behind the Scenes: From CAD to Case

Working as a "one-man-show" in his Tokyo atelier, Jiro handles everything from CAD design to final assembly.

Because of this artisanal approach, production numbers remain incredibly low. To manage the high demand, the brand operates a lottery system, making the No. 8 a rare trophy for collectors who value independent engineering over mass-market production.

No. 8 in Harajuku

From March 19 to March 23, 2026, Tokyo will host an open exhibition marking the launch of the new Otsuka Lotec No. 8. The event will take place at the WITH HARAJUKU space (1st Floor Entrance), located directly across from JR Harajuku Station. This is the first opportunity to see the production version of the "No. 8" in person and observe its complex dual-level dial in motion.

The exhibition is open to the public with no admission fee.

• Location: 1-14-30 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo, WITH HARAJUKU 1F Entrance.

• Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:50 PM (Closes at 7:00 PM on the final day, March 23).

• Exhibits: Alongside the No. 8, the display will include Jiro Katayama’s original tools and sketches, offering insight into the creation of his "analog machines."

Technical specifications

Ōtsuka Lōtec Nr. 8

Limited production

Case

• Material: Stainless steel (316L)
• Case finish: Straight graining
• Width: 31 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 47.8 mm
• Thickness: 10.8 mm
• Sapphire crystal (Anti-reflection coating, Anti-fingerprint coating)
• Case-back: Solid back
• Water-resistant to 3 ATM

Dial and hands

• Color: Matte industrial "Studio Grey" with a bead-blasted, anti-reflective finish.
• Construction: A dual-layer sandwich panel made of stainless steel.
• Minute Indication: A vertical retrograde scale (Minute Fader) located on the left.
• Hour Indication: An instantaneous Jumping Hour window located on the right.
• Aesthetic: A complete simulation of an analog mixing console interface (inspired by the REDD.37 console).
• Typography: Professional measurement-instrument fonts and calibration markings from the mid-20th century.
• Technical Highlight: Features a 1.5 mm micro-ball bearing (the world's smallest) to ensure smooth motion of the minute indicator.

Movement

• MIYOTA 90S5 with In-house module
• Automatic movement
• Number of jewels: 33 + 3 ball bearings
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 hz)
• Power reserve of approximately 32 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hour channel (Jumping hours)
• Minute fader (Retrograde driven by the flywheel)
• Seconds disk

Strap and buckle

• Rubber strap
• Lug width: 24 mm

MSRP

• JPY 990'000 (tax included)
• EUR 5'395

For more information, please visit otsuka-lotec.com