Watches as beautiful as they are affordable
Kiwame Tokyo is a brand I began covering in 2025. The Asakusa-based company makes classically designed watches while keeping affordability in mind. So far, this strategy seems to be working. With every new release, the pieces receive almost universal praise and sell at lightning-fast speed. Today, we take a look at the newest trio of models known as the Kubo collection.
It’s hard not to compare any Japanese watch brand to either Seiko or Citizen. The two companies are so successful and prominent that they dominate the marketplace at home and, to some degree, abroad. So when a new entrant like Kiwame Tokyo comes along and, arguably, offers pieces providing serious competition, it’s worthy of notice. For certain, the upstart’s watches are more Swiss-looking, if that makes sense, but they’re undoubtedly attractive. Now, let’s have a peek at the Kubo.
The Kiwame Tokyo Kubo collection
Kiwame Tokyo’s Kubo models are crafted from 316L stainless steel with a footprint of 37mm by 45mm. The mid-case is 9.3mm thick, while the overall thickness is 10.7mm, including the domed sapphire crystal with an antireflective coating.
With a 30m water resistance rating, each piece fits the dress-watch mold. Depending on the dial color, the calfskin strap is dark blue or black, but all come fitted with a stainless steel pin buckle. Other niceties include a case and flat bezel design with alternating brushed and polished surfaces.
Three dial choices
The Kubo is available in three lacquered-dial options. All feature a sub-seconds display at the 4:30 position. The navy-dial model, the Tetsukon, features applied, brushed Breguet-style numerals, white printed details, and luminous pips. The pink Sakura reference trades white printing for black and adds a cherry-blossom-shaped relief motif on the sub-dial. Finally, the ivory-dial variant, the Usuki, has black applied numerals, pips, and matching printing. All watches have lume-filled, syringe-shaped hour and minute hands.
The automatic Miyota 82S5 inside
The latest Kiwame Tokyo collection has a screw-in, solid stainless steel case back. It is engraved with the brand’s logo, name, and some other particulars related to its specifications. Inside, the watch uses the Miyota 82S5. Yes, this small Japanese brand is firing a small shot at a homegrown competitor using that company’s movement! Performance-wise, the caliber has a frequency of 42 hours and a 21,600vph frequency. Accuracy is nothing bragworthy, but it’s understandable at this price level.
Availability and pricing
Speaking of pricing, the Kiwame Tokoyo Kubo retails for US$630 (excluding taxes). Now, if you visit the brand’s website, you’ll find that all three models are currently sold out. In fact, when the watch launched in late June, the initial batch was gone in minutes. There’s no reason to worry, though, as a second batch will be offered in the middle of this month. All in all, this is a straightforward but lovely release. Sure, the design reminds us of pieces from premium marques like Patek Philippe, but that’s a good thing! Obviously, at a price like this, the Kubo is an entirely different offering, and it’s a lovely one at that.
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Watch specifications
Brand
Model
Kubo
Dial
Pink (Sakura), Navy (Tetsukon), Ivory (Usuki) lacquer with applied Arabic numerals, printed minute track, and recessed sub-seconds register
Case Material
316L stainless steel
Case Dimensions
37mm (diameter) × 45mm (lug-to-lug) × 10.7mm (thickness with crystal, 9.3mm without)
Crystal
Domed sapphire with inner antireflective coating
Case Back
316L stainless steel, screw-in
Movement
Miyota 82S5: automatic with manual winding and hacking seconds, 21,600vph (3Hz) frequency, 42-hour power reserve, -20/+40 seconds per day
Water Resistance
3 atm (30 meters)
Strap
Black or blue calf leather (20/16mm) with quick-release spring bars and stainless steel pin buckle
Functions
Time only (hours, minutes, small seconds)
Price
US$630 (ex. taxes)
Warranty
Two years
