Takano - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Takano, founded in 1899, in Nagoya (Japan), descends from Takano Clock Manufacturing by Kotaro Takano, renamed Takano Seimitsu Kogyo in 1938; the brand appeals to enthusiasts of Japanese horological history, split between a short but cult wristwatch era (1957–1962) and a contemporary revival.

From Nagoya clocks to a brief wristwatch saga (1957–1962)

After decades of wall and table clocks, Takano launched its first “200” wristwatches in 1957 (the Laco-type) before developing in-house movements; this was followed by a technical tie-up with Hamilton (1957), the tiny Takano Opal (1958), and in 1960 the Takano Chateau, presented then as the world’s thinnest hand-wound watch with center seconds. The arc ended in 1962, after the Isewan typhoon’s damage (1959) and heavy capital spending, cementing its status as a “phantom brand” lasting just 4 years and 11 months.

Chateau, Opal and “200”: stylistic and technical landmarks

Takano’s design blends restrained lines with industrial precision: clean dials, measured proportions and a focus on extreme thinness in the “Chateau” family, while the early “200” pieces display the brand’s German-Japanese beginnings. These models capture high ambitions condensed into a very short timeframe, which explains their pull among collectors.

• Takano 200 — First series (1957), “Laco-type,” the foundational milestone.
• Takano Opal — Minute ladies’ watch (1958, then the smallest domestically), born of a technical partnership with Hamilton.
• Takano Chateau — Repeatedly evolved, with the 1960 version famed for record thinness (center seconds).
• Takano Chateau Deluxe — Higher-spec variant (1961) with elevated finishing.
• Takano Chateau Nouvel — Upmarket 1961 variant that foreshadows today’s naming.

2024 revival by Hajime Asaoka: Besançon as gatekeeper

In 2024 the brand returned under a Ricoh Elemex license at Tokyo Tokei Seimitsu, led by independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, with the Takano Chateau Nouvel Chronometer: each watch is tuned and shipped only if it passes the Besançon Observatory Chronometer test — claimed as a first for a Japanese watch. This revival reconnects the “Chateau” lineage with stringent metrology while embracing modern construction.

Positioning, pricing and reach: vintage cult, contemporary niche

Historic pieces (1957–1962) trade opportunistically — exact volumes not disclosed — with strong interest in the “Chateau” and “Opal.” The 2024 production sits in a curated, low-volume segment (prices not officially disclosed), with direct sales and select partners, and a clear rule: obtain the Besançon certificate before delivery. The core audience spans fans of Japanese independents, seekers of tight industrial narratives, and buyers who value hard proof of chronometric performance.

Conclusion

Takano suits those who relish brands with short yet decisive arcs, where crisp design and the pursuit of thinness shape identity. Collectors may chase the “200” for history, the “Opal” for miniaturization, and the “Chateau” for technical icon status; the revived “Chateau Nouvel Chronometer” addresses today’s buyers who want measured proof. To decide between heritage and re-edition, lean on Dialicious customer reviews to align looks, use and expectations.

(Updated August 2025)