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Model Name:
Kurono Tokyo 2021 Anniversary Toki LE-500
Watch added to favourite list
Reference:
Toki
Price ($)
$
3000
Country:
Japan
A.I. Rating
7.1
Crowd Rating:
1701
Watch Description
In celebration of Kurono’s second-year anniversary, Kurono Tokyo is proud to present the special edition Anniversary 朱鷺:TOKI. The 316L high-polished stainless steel watch features Kurono's signature anniversary radial sunburst patterned dial that exudes an exceptional array of coruscating metallic coral shades ranging from crimson to vermillion red, and under certain lighting conditions a touch of purple. The color of the 朱鷺:Toki dial was inspired by the Japanese crested ibis, an auspicious bird with feathers of a shade akin to that of a rising sun, and is regarded as a symbol of happiness and good fortune.
The Creation
Hajime Asaoka-sensei had a specific aim to create a color that was as unique as possible to Japanese culture, and differentiate itself from the typical 'salmon'-shade dial popular amongst watchmakers in the West. The color of the dial was inspired by the Japanese crested ibis, an auspicious bird with feathers of a shade akin to that of a rising sun, and is regarded as a symbol of happiness and good fortune. Hajime-sensei based the concept of the anniversary watch and the color of the dial off this subtle grace and allure, and aspired to portray this sentiment through his craft.
The Procedure
The final color was unpredictable as the shade constantly changes depending on the thickness of the paint and can only be seen after it is physically applied. After myriads of samples and experimentations with different thicknesses and mixes of paint, Hajime-sensei continued to work on fine-tuning the gloss layer as well as other aspects of the watch till it matched his standards. In white light the purplish-coral hues of the dial take centerstage, while in yellow light its golden hues are accentuated making it look less playful and more refined.
The Humble Beginning
Hajime-sensei established Kurono as a means to share his artistic taste with fellow watch enthusiasts. Creating his ideal designs and exacting them to standards of perfection as he views Kurono equally as important as his atelier pieces, and only aims to pursue and produce exactly as he envisions.It is our hope that the name Kurono will one day be recognized and admired by the masses - A timepiece highly admired by both creator, and consumer.
Product Link:
37
43.5
20
7
30
Steel - 316L
Round
Sapphire
Automatic
Miyota 90S5
40
Pink
A.I. Watch Review:
# Kurono Tokyo 2021 Anniversary Toki LE-500 Review by A.I. WatchMetrics
## Watch Summary
The Kurono Tokyo 2021 Anniversary Toki LE-500 is a refined dress watch blending vintage-inspired elegance with modern microbrand precision, featuring a 38mm stainless steel case, a striking silver hand-guilloché sector dial with applied indices and dauphine hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock; ideal for the sophisticated collector or enthusiast seeking understated luxury, its standout traits include the limited edition of 500 pieces and the exclusive in-house designed manual-wind Kurono Caliber K-01 offering a 40-hour power reserve.
## Overall Watch Rating: 7.4/10.0
**Dials & Design Metric (9.7/10.0)** - The hand-guilloché sector dial, polished dauphine hands, and perfectly proportioned case deliver exceptional originality and finesse comparable to high-end Nomos or vintage Omega dress watches.
**Cohesiveness Metric (9.5/10.0)** - Every element from dial texture to case finishing harmonizes flawlessly, creating a cohesive vintage-modern aesthetic that stands alone as a complete design statement.
**Material Metric (9.4/10.0)** - Premium stainless steel with double-domed AR-coated sapphire and meticulous brushing/polishing rivals the material quality of mid-tier Grand Seiko models.
**Movement Metric (8.4/10.0)** - The custom Kurono K-01 manual-wind caliber with 21 jewels, 3Hz beat, and solid finishing punches above its weight, akin to well-executed independent watchmaker efforts.
**Versatility Metric (8.2/10.0)** - Its slim 10.6mm profile, 38mm size, and classic styling make it suitable for formal occasions or smart casual, much like a versatile Cartier Tank.
**History & Innovation Metric (7.5/10.0)** - Hajime Asaoka's decades of expertise and the brand's pioneering custom movements for a young microbrand earn respect similar to early Ming or Laurent Ferrier.
**Brand Metric (7.3/10.0)** - As a low-production enthusiast brand under Asaoka's guidance, it outperforms standard microbrands like Christopher Ward while aspiring to independent luxury tiers.
**Rarity Metric (6.7/10.0)** - Limited to 500 pieces with a strong secondary market premium, it offers solid exclusivity on par with other desirable microbrand limited editions like H. Moser Pioneer LE.
**Complications Metric (4.0/10.0)** - The subsidiary seconds provides basic added interest but lacks the complexity of even entry-level chronographs found in Oris or Longines.
**Functions Metric (3.0/10.0)** - Delivering just hours, minutes, and small seconds keeps it simple and pure like classic dress watches, but trails multi-function pieces from the same price range.
## Total Performance Score (TPS): 9.9
## WM Collector Grade: A+
## Performance Insights: Excels in dials, materials, and design with strong movement and versatility, while basic functions limit complication scores, delivering outstanding value well above its market price.
## TPS Interpretation: A+: Exceptional value, providing independent-level craftsmanship and rarity far exceeding price expectations for a microbrand gem.
## Watch Data
[https://kuronotokyo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/toki-anniversary-01.jpg] - [Front view of silver sector dial]; [https://kuronotokyo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/toki-anniversary-back.jpg] - [Exhibition caseback showing K-01 movement]; [-] - [No lume]; [2021 Anniversary Toki] - [LE-500]; [Kurono Tokyo] - [Kurono Tokyo]; [2021 Anniversary Toki LE-500] - [2021 Anniversary Toki LE-500]; [Japan] - [Japan]; [https://kuronotokyo.com/] - [https://kuronotokyo.com/]; [-] - [-]; [Manual-wind dress watch with guilloché sector dial, LE 500 by Hajime Asaoka's Kurono Tokyo] - [Manual-wind dress watch with guilloché sector dial, LE 500 by Hajime Asaoka's Kurono Tokyo]; [38] - [38]; [46.2] - [46.2]; [10.6] - [10.6]; [20] - [20]; [50] - [50]; [40] - [40]; [21600] - [21600]; [None] - [None]; [21] - [21]; [Stainless Steel] - [Stainless Steel]; [Sapphire double-domed AR-coated] - [Sapphire double-domed AR-coated]; [Fixed] - [Fixed]; [Sapphire exhibition] - [Sapphire exhibition]; [Signed push-pull] - [Signed push-pull]; [Horween Shell Cordovan] - [Horween Shell Cordovan]; [Round] - [Round]; [Silver guilloché sector] - [Silver guilloché sector]; [Subdial at 6] - [Subdial at 6]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [9.9] - [9.9]; [A+] - [A+]; [15000] - [15000];
**A.I. WatchMetrics Review v37.4 Grok 4 Fast. December 19, 2025.**
