I posted this initially on the Canadian Watch Collectors Forum, but thought I would share it here. I did a search for this company on Watchuseek and found only a couple of posts.
I stumbled across this brand while trawling for vintage Seikos on Yahoo.jp last year and quickly became the owner of a couple, then a few more. I think the idea of having a vintage Japanese look (I'd call it neo-vintage) with a modern Miyota 9 series movement was attractive to me.
Now that I have too many I'll have to move a couple but I will definitely be keeping the Urushi and one other. Perhaps comment below which of the three(White/Black/Navy) you would keep and help me out. Due to my partial colour blindness I couldn't tell you exactly what the 'white' dial is, but it almost looks like a champagne tinge to it. With the blued second hand it's an interesting look, and not one I have duplicated in my 100+ watch collection. On the other hand, that's a very nice dark blue dial so I'm torn between the two.
I'm only going to be covering the AT-38 aka 'premium automatic' and the CS-36 , a small second quartz model. This isn't even close to their full lineup which includes the following case shapes, not counting styles and colours:
Watches
-4 standard Quartz including 1 Chrono - Price range from ÂĄ17-22500
-5 Solar Quartz including 2 Titanium models one of which is a Chrono - Price range from ÂĄ19-30000
-1 Standard grade mechanical auto, an Epson YN84, basically an Orient complete with open heart and power reserve for 32k Yen(~$320CAD) - Price ÂĄ32000
-3 'Premium' automatics of which the AT-38 is one. The others being a 40mm sports model with the 9015 and a very nice NE88 Chronograph only 13.5mm thick! - Price range from ÂĄ60-125000
-2 'Japan Collection' models in a red lacquer AT-38 and a Platinum leaf ATC-40 Chrono - Price range from ÂĄ70-120000
Straps
-8 types of leather strap, including cordovan
-8 Fabric straps from denim to silk and everything in between
-4 metal and one silicone strap. They just (finally) released a strap with solid end links! I spent some time in the video slagging them off for not offering this, so kudos to them for hearing my cries. Now I'd like them to drop the price a little from 18k yen.
I've been wearing these often over the past year, and I really have nothing bad to say about them. The Zaratsu polish attracts scratches but maintains a good glitter, and the 38x10.5x46mm case size is perfect for my wrist. I like the dressy clean dials, and comfortable straps. I think there is better value for MSRP out there, once you take into consideration shipping and tax but they're solidly in the mix vs brands like Traska who offer the same movement at a similar price. Slightly higher now given the Yen weakness and USD strength. Used these AT-38's can be found for about half the retail price, and for that money these are a great deal. Their quartz models are even cheaper second hand, and you'd be hard pressed to find better value for the money in that type of style.
At around 50g in weight off the strap, with a classic Japanese business style these AT-38 work for all sorts of outfits. There's nothing too flashy about them, unless you count the reflection off that Zaratsu polish and dial furniture. I like the drilled lugs on the newer models, double drilled on the ATC-40 Chronograph to fit a Nato strap. If you click on 'Custom' at the top of their website, you can try putting together a personalized package and see what it looks like on a wrist.
To those of you who will note they copied Nomos on several watches, yep. Notably the CS-36 (see video) and SQ-32 are pretty obviously Orion/Tetra. I'm glad they moved away from that with the mechanical line. Still, if you're looking for that in a Japan made quartz with a sapphire crystal...🤷‍♂️
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I'd also like to draw your attention to this excellent first hand review in Japan from plus9time back in 2018, credit to Tjcdas on here for the link.
www.plus9time.com
I stumbled across this brand while trawling for vintage Seikos on Yahoo.jp last year and quickly became the owner of a couple, then a few more. I think the idea of having a vintage Japanese look (I'd call it neo-vintage) with a modern Miyota 9 series movement was attractive to me.
Now that I have too many I'll have to move a couple but I will definitely be keeping the Urushi and one other. Perhaps comment below which of the three(White/Black/Navy) you would keep and help me out. Due to my partial colour blindness I couldn't tell you exactly what the 'white' dial is, but it almost looks like a champagne tinge to it. With the blued second hand it's an interesting look, and not one I have duplicated in my 100+ watch collection. On the other hand, that's a very nice dark blue dial so I'm torn between the two.
I'm only going to be covering the AT-38 aka 'premium automatic' and the CS-36 , a small second quartz model. This isn't even close to their full lineup which includes the following case shapes, not counting styles and colours:
Watches
-4 standard Quartz including 1 Chrono - Price range from ÂĄ17-22500
-5 Solar Quartz including 2 Titanium models one of which is a Chrono - Price range from ÂĄ19-30000
-1 Standard grade mechanical auto, an Epson YN84, basically an Orient complete with open heart and power reserve for 32k Yen(~$320CAD) - Price ÂĄ32000
-3 'Premium' automatics of which the AT-38 is one. The others being a 40mm sports model with the 9015 and a very nice NE88 Chronograph only 13.5mm thick! - Price range from ÂĄ60-125000
-2 'Japan Collection' models in a red lacquer AT-38 and a Platinum leaf ATC-40 Chrono - Price range from ÂĄ70-120000
Straps
-8 types of leather strap, including cordovan
-8 Fabric straps from denim to silk and everything in between
-4 metal and one silicone strap. They just (finally) released a strap with solid end links! I spent some time in the video slagging them off for not offering this, so kudos to them for hearing my cries. Now I'd like them to drop the price a little from 18k yen.
I've been wearing these often over the past year, and I really have nothing bad to say about them. The Zaratsu polish attracts scratches but maintains a good glitter, and the 38x10.5x46mm case size is perfect for my wrist. I like the dressy clean dials, and comfortable straps. I think there is better value for MSRP out there, once you take into consideration shipping and tax but they're solidly in the mix vs brands like Traska who offer the same movement at a similar price. Slightly higher now given the Yen weakness and USD strength. Used these AT-38's can be found for about half the retail price, and for that money these are a great deal. Their quartz models are even cheaper second hand, and you'd be hard pressed to find better value for the money in that type of style.
At around 50g in weight off the strap, with a classic Japanese business style these AT-38 work for all sorts of outfits. There's nothing too flashy about them, unless you count the reflection off that Zaratsu polish and dial furniture. I like the drilled lugs on the newer models, double drilled on the ATC-40 Chronograph to fit a Nato strap. If you click on 'Custom' at the top of their website, you can try putting together a personalized package and see what it looks like on a wrist.
To those of you who will note they copied Nomos on several watches, yep. Notably the CS-36 (see video) and SQ-32 are pretty obviously Orion/Tetra. I'm glad they moved away from that with the mechanical line. Still, if you're looking for that in a Japan made quartz with a sapphire crystal...🤷‍♂️
I'd also like to draw your attention to this excellent first hand review in Japan from plus9time back in 2018, credit to Tjcdas on here for the link.
Maker's Watch Knot Store - Tokyo — Plus9Time
During a recent trip to Japan I visited the Maker's Watch Knot Galley Shop in Kichijoji, Tokyo. This store sells Japanese made watches as well as a wide range of straps that utilize a range of Japanese materials and handicrafts. The store allows customers to select a watch style, case design and str
www.plus9time.com
