An independent and self-taught Japan-based watch manufacturer, Hajime Asaoka, unveils his second watch named Project T Tourbillon. This novelty continues where the brand’s first Tourbillon from 2011 left off.
Hajime Asaoka Project T Tourbillon Watch
Hajime Asaoka Project T Tourbillon was created in collaboration with two Japanese companies: the OSG Corporation, a comprehensive cutting tool manufacturer which makes precision cutting tools, and Yuki, a leading precision machining equipment manufacturer. As it is reported by the manufacturer, these two companies make possible to create a very small and very precise parts in ways that were perhaps not done before, thus allowing Hajime Asaoka to put the entire thing together afterwards.
This newcomer is housed in a stainless steel case with the main face plate DLC coated for a glossy high-end industrial look. The elegant case measures 43mm in diameter. The watch boasts some contemporary art deco-inspired aesthetic elements, such as hands and hour markers.
Hajime Asaoka Project T Tourbillon Watch Front
The beating heart of the new Hajime Asaoka Tourbillon is capable to provide no less than 40 hours of autonomy when fully wound and ticks at the frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz). The movement makes use of many ball bearings as opposed to ruby palettes that were traditionally used. Ball bearing pivots are generally much more robust than others.
The mechanism is also separated into different sections. Generally, the entire movement is designed like much higher production machines where service and maintenance are more of an issue. The movement features a free-sprung balance wheel, mirror polished bevels on the bridges, chamfered and polished screw heads, as well as bevelling on gear spokes.
Hajime Asaoka Project T Tourbillon Watch Dial
Hajime Asaoka Project T Tourbillon comes with a sleek, black dial. A tourbillon cage is situated at the 6 o’clock position, while the brand’s logo is located on the opposite side, at the 12 o’clock position. The entire tourbillon assembly is mainly crafted from titanium, including the screws, while the entire section of the movement dedicated to holding the tourbillon, including the plate and the bridge, is precision-cut from a single piece of metal, which improves the stability of the movement overall.
Hajime Asaoka Project T Tourbillon Watch Case Back
The last but not the least, the mechanism makes use of wolf-teeth gears which are superior to normal gear teeth, but are in general very difficult to machine. In this particular case, with these new techniques, they are not an issue.
This exceptional Hajime Asaoka timepiece comes with the retail price of 8 million Japanese yen, which is about $79,000.
