Introducing the KUBO, a New Small-Seconds Collection from KIWAME TOKYO ASAKUSA
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The defining feature of the new KUBO collection from KIWAME TOKYO ASAKUSA is a recess. More specifically, it’s a shallow depression in a lacquer dial where a small-seconds display sits without a printed track, leaving the subdial to work through shadow and depth rather than traditional markings.
That is where the name comes from. KUBO is derived from the Japanese character 「窪」, meaning a hollow or recessed space. For KIWAME TOKYO ASAKUSA, a Japanese brand closely tied to the craft traditions and visual language of Tokyo’s historic Asakusa district, that idea becomes the organizing principle of the watch.
The small-seconds display sits asymmetrically between 4 and 5 o’clock. Without a printed seconds scale, it reads less like a conventional subdial and more like a carved-out detail in the lacquer surface. As light moves across the dial, the recess creates small shifts in shadow that give the watch more dimension than a flat dial would have. Lacquer already has a way of changing under light; here, the recessed small seconds gives that light somewhere to fall.
The Dial
The dial is where the KUBO makes its case. Each version is finished with multiple layers of lacquer, giving the surface a glossy depth that changes as the watch moves through different lighting conditions. Applied Arabic numerals with fine vertical brushing sit above the lacquer, adding texture without making the dial feel busy.
There are three dial variations at launch. The USUKI is a warm ivory color inspired by the softer tones found in traditional Japanese interiors. The TETSUKON is a deep navy inspired by iron-blue tones, shifting from near-black to rich blue depending on the light; it is the boldest and most visually dynamic of the three. And the SAKURA is a soft pink inspired by cherry blossoms, with a small blossom motif set into the recessed small-seconds display. That detail isn’t immediately obvious, and that’s part of the appeal, appearing only when light enters the recess at the right angle.
All three models use the same basic design for their displays: lacquer surface, applied brushed numerals and the recessed small-seconds display between 4 and 5 o’clock. They also share a small-seconds hand with a counterweight inspired by the roofline of Asakusa’s Kaminarimon gate.
Luminous material is applied to the hour and minute hands. USUKI and SAKURA use discreet luminous accents at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock, while TETSUKON has lume at all twelve hour positions for stronger low-light visibility.
The Case
The KUBO is housed in a 316L stainless steel case measuring 37mm in diameter, with a 45mm lug-to-lug and a 20mm lug width. The case body measures 9.3mm thick, or 10.7mm including the domed sapphire crystal.
Those are compact, easy-wearing dimensions, and they suit the character of the watch. The KUBO has dress-watch proportions, without feeling overly formal. The domed sapphire crystal gives the watch a softer profile, while the vertically brushed flat bezel adds a more utilitarian edge. That combination keeps the watch from becoming too delicate or precious.
The crystal also helps manage the thickness. Small-seconds movements can make a case taller, but here, the height of the domed crystal creates room above the dial while allowing the case body itself to stay under 9.5mm. The result is a watch that sits comfortably under a cuff while still having enough substance for regular wear.
Water resistance is rated to 3 ATM / 30 meters, and each model comes on an Italian genuine calf leather strap with quick-release spring bars.
The Movement
Inside the KUBO is the Japan-made Miyota Caliber 82S5 automatic movement. The mechanism provides the small-seconds display and offers approximately 42 hours of power reserve.
The use of the Miyota is a sensible choice for the watch. The 82S5 keeps the KUBO accessible, reliable, and practical, which matters for a watch priced at $630 and designed for regular use. This isn’t a watch trying to compete on movement finishing or extreme thinness. Its strength is the overall package: compact sizing, an automatic small-seconds movement, a lacquer dial, and a design that gives the subdial a real visual purpose.
Pricing and Availability
The KIWAME TOKYO ASAKUSA KUBO collection launches June 21 at 10:00PM ET. The three launch models— the USUKI, TETSUKON and SAKURA— are each priced at $630 USD, excluding tax.
The KUBO offers a strong mix of wearable proportions, Japanese design cues, lacquer dial work and everyday automatic practicality. It is quiet by design, but not plain. The appeal is in the details that reveal themselves gradually: the gloss of the lacquer, the shadow inside the recessed small seconds, the brushed numerals, and the small Asakusa reference on the seconds hand. It is a restrained watch, but the restraint feels deliberate.
To learn more, visit KIWAME TOKYO ASAKUSA, here.
