Born in Asakusa, guided by the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship
KIWAME TOKYO was founded in Asakusa—a town that preserves tradition within modern Tokyo. Here we discovered not only a place, but a philosophy: tradition as discipline, detail as pride.
Our goal is not simply to create “affordable Japanese watches,” but to pursue honest watchmaking.
We strip away excess, avoid hidden costs, and reject superficial luxury.
Like Asakusa itself—where heritage embraces modernity—we adopt precise engineering to enhance true value.
The result is a watch of integrity, offered at a transparent and fair price.
And it is precisely because Asakusa lives in the delicate balance between the old and the new—between authenticity and refinement—that we chose this town as the home of our workshop.
A Global Journey That Led Back to Japan
Masami Watanabe began his career over 30 years ago by introducing overseas luxury timepieces to the Japanese market. Over the decades, he worked with numerous renowned brands, helping bring their appeal to a broad audience in Japan.In recent years, he has focused on officially introducing respected microbrands to Japan and planning Japan-exclusive collaborations, connecting global makers with a growing community of collectors.Through this journey, Watanabe saw how independent brands abroad were shaped by local culture and founder vision, often reviving vintage values through a modern lens. Inspired by this, he began to wonder—why does Japan, a global watchmaking powerhouse, have so few microbrands of its own?That question became his motivation: to create a Japanese microbrand that embodies refinement, authenticity, and the uncompromising spirit of craftsmanship.
Honest Watchmaking from Asakusa
At KIWAME TOKYO, our goal is not simply to make “affordable Japanese watches.”
We pursue honest watchmaking—removing unnecessary layers, hidden costs, and artificial luxury. Each watch is created with clarity of purpose: to endure with integrity, not to chase hype or pretense.
As a brand born in Asakusa, we embrace modern engineering where it enhances true value, while preserving the spirit of craftsmanship that defines Japan. This balance between tradition and innovation reflects the town itself—rooted in heritage, yet open to refinement.
In Japanese, KIWAME (極め) means to pursue something to its utmost, to refine it without compromise. This philosophy guides every part of our process. Our watches are minimalist but never empty, precise yet never cold—a harmony of light and shadow, proportion and texture, designed to reveal more the closer you look.
More than a timepiece, KIWAME TOKYO is a quiet expression of Japanese spirit. Crafted in Asakusa and shaped by decades of global insight, it was created for those who seek meaning over noise—for those who value refinement, balance, and authenticity above all.