Are you familiar with the profession of an independent watchmaker? Not affiliated with a watch manufacturer, they require high technical skills and ideas not found in existing wristwatches. There are only 31 independent watchmakers in the world, and in Japan, only two: Masahiro Kikuno and Hajime Asaoka. We will be introducing the new "Chrysanthemum Pattern Cherry Blossom" by Daizo Makihara, a promising Japanese watchmaker aiming to become an independent watchmaker, for a limited time of one week starting September 19th (Wednesday). Prior to that, we interviewed Mr. Makihara about his commitment to the creation of the "Chrysanthemum Pattern Cherry Blossom."

Event Information

DAIZOH MAKIHARA Watch Fair

□September 19th (Wednesday) - 25th (Tuesday)

□Main Building 4th Floor = Jewelry & Watches

A 0.5mm glass plate with Edo Kiriko (traditional Japanese cut glass) design is used for the dial.

—The "Chrysanthemum Pattern Cherry Blossom" is your first completely original model, Mr. Makihara. How did you come up with such innovative ideas, such as using Edo Kiriko glass for the dial?

I've always been interested in traditional crafts, and Edo Kiriko (cut glass) in particular caught my eye. I'd never seen a wristwatch with an Edo Kiriko dial before, so I thought it might be the world's first. My request was to have the cut glass applied to an extremely thin glass plate, just 0.5mm thick. I approached as many Edo Kiriko manufacturers as I could find, and Mitsuwa Glass Craft agreed to take on the challenge. It was quite a burden on the craftsmen, but the sample they produced was so wonderful that it could be turned into a product!

However, because the dial is quite delicate, I get very nervous when assembling the watch. The model I'll be offering at the order event is a prototype, so for the final product, I won't be making the case any larger, and I plan to slightly thicken and reinforce the cut glass plate to ensure that the three hands don't interfere with each other at all.

"Chrysanthemum and Cherry Blossom Pattern" 5,580,000 yen

A movement featuring a "Chrysanthemum Connection Crest and Cherry Blossom" design, with cherry blossoms engraved all over.

—The dial features a chrysanthemum design using Edo Kiriko glasswork, and the entire movement visible from the back cover is engraved with cherry blossoms. Mr. Makihara also did the engraving, right?

That's right. I taught myself metal engraving while I was at watchmaking school. Watchmaking is increasingly divided into specialized tasks, but I like to do as much as I can myself, and being able to do both production and metal engraving is my strength. That's why I put as much metal engraving as I could on the entire movement of the "Chrysanthemum and Cherry Blossom" watch.

—The shine of each individual part is wonderful; you can really feel the attention to detail.

Even the smallest parts take about two days just to polish. Engraving and polishing are the most difficult parts, but they're also the most enjoyable. However, while polishing mistakes can be recovered, engraving mistakes are irreversible. It requires extremely careful work.


—The pink gold case also adds to the soft atmosphere, doesn't it?

I asked the jewelry brand K.Uno to make the case out of 18k gold. The entire watch is adorned with floral motifs, and since the case is made of pink gold, we often get inquiries asking, "Is there a ladies' version?"

—Watches are often associated with foreign products, so the Japanese motifs like chrysanthemums and cherry blossoms are refreshing.

I started using Instagram around the same time I began production of the "Chrysanthemum and Cherry Blossom" design, and most of my followers are from overseas. Perhaps because of this, most of the inquiries I receive are from people abroad. I studied under Philippe Dufour, so sometimes Dufour's clients show interest in my watches.

Next, I want to create a work that incorporates traditional Japanese crafts.