Manufacturer: Masahiro Kikuno Year: 2024 Model Name: SO Material: Aluminum bronze Calibre: Automatic, cal. NH34A with uniquely designed celestial display module, 24 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 37.6mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied with an illustration signed by Masahiro Kikuno.
Catalogue Essay
While lauded for intricate timepieces, this prototype offered Masahiro Kikuno an exercise in casual craftsmanship. Powered by a Seiko cal. NH34A with uniquely designed celestial display module, the constellation disk represents the starry sky as seen from the ground at 35 degrees north latitude. North is at 12 o'clock, West at 3 o'clock, South at 6 o'clock, East at 9 o'clock, and Polaris at the center of the dial, rotating counterclockwise in a cycle of approximately 23 hours 56 minutes.
Named “SO”, meaning “blue” in Japanese, Kikuno refers to the cursive script or grass script in East Asian calligraphy, which is also pronounced “So”. In Japan, such ideological terms also apply to tea ceremony and other art forms and is used to express a concept of value such as style. Kikuno likens this prototype to the stylistic expression of calligraphy in the most unstructured form, where value is found in spontaneity rather than formality. This unique creation provides a chance to appreciate simplicity without the pressure of perfection. As Kikuno explains, “I made this watch for myself because I wanted a watch that could be used in a relaxed manner without being overbearing. I don’t have any plan to produce this watch in the future.”
The present unique timepiece is accompanied by an illustration signed by Kikuno that showcases a new movement for a complication that will be made to order in 2025.