The project, themed around Japanese indigo dyeing ("INDIGO"), which debuted at " Watch Collectors Week " in July 2024, has now been followed up with the release of limited-edition indigo models from small fashion houses Ressence and Lederer, exclusively available at Isetan Shinjuku.
You can enjoy beautiful watches created through a collaboration between the unique ideas of a small fashion house and traditional Japanese craftsmanship at the Watch section on the 5th floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Building.

RESSENCE

The latest creation from Belgian watchmaker Ressence, the "Type 8 INDIGO," began with designer Benoit's dedication to authenticity and his exploration of traditional Japanese indigo dyeing. In his search for natural indigo dyes, he eventually realized that silk thread was the material that best expressed the essence of the indigo color.
We partnered with BUAISOU, a company based in Kamiita-cho, Tokushima Prefecture, the heartland of indigo dyeing, which handles everything from indigo cultivation to dyeing in-house, demonstrating a commitment to high quality and respect for tradition, to create this model.

Designer Benoit

To allow the silk thread to take center stage, we selected the "Type 8" model, which features only minute and hour discs. We then covered the dial with 0.2mm diameter silk thread in a swirling pattern, symbolizing the passage of time and resembling the rings of a tree. In a standard "Type 8," the distance between the dial and the inner surface of the sapphire crystal glass is only 0.25mm, so the titanium dial is carefully machined to accommodate the thread.

Using thread on the dial is unusual in watchmaking, and the delicate process of attaching silk thread to the titanium dial is carefully carried out over two days by skilled craftsmen in a famous Geneva atelier.

To preserve the natural visual effect of silk, a special adhesive is used that prevents the starch from seeping into the fibers and altering the color. As a result, an organic yet structural pattern is created, expressing a variety of shades from indigo blue to near-black, resulting in a vibrant watch that continues to evolve over time.

LEDERER

Lederer is a watchmaker founded by independent watchmaker Bernardo Lederer, characterized by its unique movements, complications, and escapements. The latest creation, the "Central Impulse Chronometer 39 Indigo," features a pattern motif inspired by "kasuri" weaving in the center of the dial, and the number "12" is designed on the dial in a way not found in other models. The entire symmetrical movement can be seen through the domed sapphire crystal on the back, and its beauty and innovation are captivating at first sight.