Kurono Tokyo, an initiative by the celebrated Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, is renowned for infusing his distinctive design philosophy into timepieces that are more attainable. The brand's "special projects" series emphasizes exclusivity through unique materials and mechanisms. Following the success of the 37mm Inseki featuring a meteorite dial, Kurono Tokyo is now expanding its use of natural stones with the introduction of the 2026 Special Projects Malachite, a striking addition to their collection.

Hajime Asaoka, a distinguished member of the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants), stands as a highly respected figure in Japanese independent watchmaking. Beyond his eponymous high-end brand, he is actively involved with Precision Watch Tokyo (PWT), a collective that includes Kurono Tokyo. This brand focuses on delivering Asaoka's refined aesthetic with outsourced movements at appealing price points. His notable work includes the elegant Tsunami, a time-only watch, but for those seeking more accessible options, Kurono Tokyo offers compelling alternatives.

The new 2026 Special Projects Malachite adheres to Asaoka's classic design principles, featuring a modest and compact 37mm polished steel case. Its retro-inspired elegance is enhanced by a box-shaped sapphire crystal and smooth finishes, echoing designs seen in models like the Inseki and the Grand Urushi Aoyama. The watch is completed with a solid steel caseback and offers a water resistance of 30 meters, aligning with its dress watch aesthetic, although a higher resistance might be beneficial for daily wear.

The most distinctive feature of this edition is its dial. At the heart of the timepiece is a malachite stone dial, celebrated for its vivid green hues, ranging from deep forest tones to brilliant emeralds, and its characteristic striped patterns. These stripes are a geological record, each band signifying a period of seismic water flow and mineral concentration. For the 2026 Special Projects Malachite, only the central section of the dial utilizes this unique stone, with Hajime Asaoka personally inspecting each piece to ensure uniformity. His final approval is symbolized by a vermillion seal. The outer chapter ring, crafted from brass, forms a convex surface and is colored with a hand-mixed 'rokusho' (verdigris) green pigment, referencing malachite's copper origins. This ring is further adorned with Kanji Zodiac indices, traditionally used in East Asia to mark time and cardinal directions.

Consistent with Kurono Tokyo's established practice, the new Malachite model is powered by an automatic Miyota caliber 90S5 movement. This outsourced, time-only movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. The watch is paired with a black calf leather strap, featuring a 20mm lug width and a steel pin buckle, ensuring comfort and classic style.

The Kurono Tokyo Malachite 2026 Special Projects is priced at USD 1,850 (excluding taxes and import duties) and will be available online starting Thursday, May 28th, 2026, through two distinct order windows (11 AM JST and 11 PM JST). To ensure fair distribution, purchases are limited to one watch per customer, with all orders placed within these specified timeframes being honored. Enthusiasts also have the opportunity to preview the watch at the brand's boutiques in Aoyama and Shanghai.