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A big plus for Baseworld and other shows of this type is the chance to meet and greet persons and watches that normally would be hard or impossible to encounter. This is the case of independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka and his fabulous Chronograph.
I was happy to meet in person Hajime, an AHCI member since 2015 and a passionate watchmaker who likes to take everything to perfection. His latest watch is an absolute stunning Chronograph, designed by him that keeps the high-level design and finishes present in the independent watchmaking.
The steel case has a classic 38mm diameter with a shape inspired by the chronographs of the mid 20th century with perfect polished surfaces and a fantastic wrist look.
The watch construction is at least interesting: first, the time indication is done using a sub-dial at 9 o’clock and, second, the chronograph functions have the constituent elements on top.
By all means, this timepiece is a classic chronograph: two push buttons, column wheel, carrying arm and star wheel. But everything is visible on the dial, done in a different way – a beautiful way.
Playing with the chronograph changes the time measuring function from utility to kinetic art. And this in the most Haute Horlogerie way possible.
The finishes are everywhere: perlage, polishing, brushing, Geneva waves, beveling, steel flame bluing and others. This combination of open work, all on the dial, and skeletonizing makes a powerful and good impression – the watch requires your attention and deserves it.
The in-house hand-wound movement has very big free-sprung balance wheel with a diameter 15mm and a very slow beat at 2.5Hz or 18,000vph and a power reserve of 40hours.
In the picture below is explained the chronograph functionality:
I would like to thank Hajime Asaoka for the pictures and information. Please visit his Facebook page and Instagram account for information about him and his watches.
For a very nice review with beautiful, detailed macro pictures please visit the Watches by SJX Website for the Hands On article written by my friend Su Jia Xian.
Below some live pictures from Baselworld 2017.
