The Hasegawa family served as the official swordsmith for the Owari Tokugawa family during the Edo period. Since the Meiji period, the family has passed down their techniques in skilled metal craft for tea ceremony utensils. The next generation leader, Seikichi Hasegawa, is a young revolutionary who seeks new and unprecedented expressions while using tradi-tional techniques. His latest work is a “kunro” for burning incense. In Japanese metal craft, one technique is usually used for one piece, but in this work, two engraving techniques, “Sukashi” and “Nanako,” are used on the gold sphere created by hammering. This is a mold-ing made possible by an extremely high level of techniques.
The Shinshu Watch Studio is surrounded by the Hotaka Mountains which is covered with snow for several months every year. In the chilly, dry air, the surface of snow blown by the wind creates delicate wind patterns. The SBGX355 and STGF385, featuring dial patterns that expresses this snowy surface, are a new pair of “snowflake” watches that respond to bridal demands. The metal case back allows for engraving. The beautiful mirror-finish surface of the case and bracelet, and the diamonds on the STGF385, are all part of the pursuit of pure elegance.
Photography = Naohiro Tsukada
Text = Natsuki Ando