Hajime Asaoka - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Hajime Asaoka, founded in 2011, is an independent Tokyo-based house led by the eponymous watchmaker; it speaks to collectors seeking a committed Art Deco aesthetic, extremely limited production, and a time display centered on movement architecture rather than on traditional Swiss codes.

Japanese Art Deco, large balances and an “engineer’s” mindset

Hajime Asaoka’s visual language blends clean volumes, sector dials and 1930s-inspired typography with full-plate movements and a large balance visible through the back; finishing emphasizes sharp bevels, true edges and deep black polishing to serve legibility and an immediately recognizable character. The result is a form of “rational poetry,” where beauty arises from industrial design and a deliberately concise set of details.

Tsunami, Chronograph, Tourbillon Pura, Project T: the range at a glance

The collection is organized around four complementary pillars, each expressing the same grammar — balanced circles, controlled symmetry, matte/gloss contrasts — yet with distinct functions and wrist presence. This coherence lets you choose the architecture first (time-only, chronograph, tourbillon) and then the desired degree of expressiveness.

• Hajime Asaoka Tsunami — Time-only with full plate and oversized balance; compact proportions and “instrumental” sector dial elegance.
• Hajime Asaoka Chronograph — Two-register chronograph built on the Tsunami architecture with a dedicated module; crisp readout and studied proportions.
• Hajime Asaoka Tourbillon Pura — A pared-back, monochrome tourbillon that stages the cage while removing distractions for a sculptural effect.
• Hajime Asaoka Project T — A more technical tourbillon born of collaborative development, conceived as a manifesto of Japanese capability.

Tiny output, pricing and channels: independence by design

Annual output is intentionally minimal (a handful of pieces), with significant lead times; the atelier works case by case, and exact volumes are not disclosed. Core-line pricing historically sits in the high bracket (depending on project and configuration), while distribution combines direct relationships and a few selected partners, with occasional appearances at fairs and auctions. The target audience consists of high-end independent collectors and admirers of Japanese design who prize rarity and integrity over feature lists.

Ecosystem and recognition: AHCI, Tokyo atelier and associated lines

An AHCI member, Hajime Asaoka has built around his Tokyo workshop an ecosystem capable of delivering highly technical pieces (tourbillons, chronographs) while preserving a distinctly Japanese identity; in parallel he has initiated more accessible lines (under other brands) to open his design language to a wider audience without diluting the scarcity of the eponymous label. This structure keeps the message clear: the namesake brand remains the artisanal summit, with other projects acting as aesthetic entry points.

Conclusion

Hajime Asaoka is for those who value restraint, rigorous design and a strong movement-centric identity, with daily wear possible yet an undeniable collector spirit. Choose the Tsunami for concentrated elegance, the Chronograph for balanced technical presence, the Tourbillon Pura for a stripped-down staging of the complication, and Project T for a more demonstrative statement. Your decision will depend on the desired expressiveness and your tolerance for lead times tied to rarity. To ground your choice in real ownership, rely on Dialicious customer reviews.

(Updated August 2025)