Hanamokko Limited-Edition Wristwatch, Square Face × Lizard Belt

This year again, we introduce a limited-edition item from Hanamokko's wristwatch collection.

With a smaller case and face for a lovely, delicate look,

Hanamokko's ladies' wristwatches are colored using iwa-enogu (mineral pigments made from natural stone),

the same kind of pigment used in Japanese-style painting,

applied to give the face its color.

Iwa-enogu is known for its rich, layered coloring,

and its appearance shifts depending on the viewing angle and the light.

For this limited edition, the face color has been chosen from among the many available iwa-enogu shades,

paired with a specially selected combination of belt, hands, and indexes.

With the coming season in mind, it also makes a wonderful gift for the women in your life. 

This time, the theme is "elegance with a touch of grown-up playfulness."

As we grow into adulthood, we become more conscious of refinement,

but simplicity alone can end up feeling monotonous and dull.

We wanted to preserve that sense of refinement while still finding a way to bring in a bit of mature playfulness.

With that theme in mind, we considered combinations of case, face color, belt color, hands, and more,

and in the end, true to Hanamokko's spirit, the design became one where you can enjoy the interplay

between the belt color and the face color.

The details we paid particular attention to were: 

・Square face

・Leaf-shaped hands

・Single-wrap lizard belt 

Following last year, we again chose a square case type.

A round face set within a square case is a rare combination you won't easily find elsewhere,

making this a wristwatch that is unmistakably Hanamokko.

Rather than simple stick-shaped hands, we chose a "leaf" shape.

The slender, beautiful form of the leaf-shaped hands brings out

the elegance of the iwa-enogu color on the face. 

For the belt, we chose a lizard type.

Among all the Hanamokko wristwatches we carry at ZUTTO,

this is the only one with a lizard belt.

Lizard leather might seem like a slightly daring choice at first glance,

but paired with the face, it fits together beautifully,

becoming a choice that truly embodies "grown-up playfulness."

It would be no exaggeration to say that the face colors were decided based on

the four colors available in the lizard belt. 

[Special Order] Konairo Square × Lizard Belt, Purple Gray, Ladies

The most subdued coloring in this collection, this "Purple Gray" (Murasakinezu) piece

uses iwa-enogu made by crushing natural amethyst.

The faint purple hue is understated without being too plain,

with a depth that conveys a quiet strength of character.

Paired with an olive-colored belt, it comes together into a chic overall look. 

Bracelet: ARATA / Bracelet JPA1595
Knit: C.T.plage / YAK Turtleneck

[Special Order] Konairo Square × Lizard Belt, Navy, Ladies

This piece uses a new type of navy iwa-enogu,

and rather than a flat, single navy tone, you can catch glimpses of small silver flecks and the texture of the new pigment

when you look closely at the face.

To match the silver case, the dial also features silver leaf.

Like stars shining in a night sky, it leaves a subtle yet refined impression.

With the navy face paired with a brown lizard belt,

this combination has a sharpness that also suits business settings. 

Knit: GUENSEY WOOLLENS / LADIES Crew Neck Knit

Bracelet: FALBE / Crochet Bracelet Solid Sparkle Beige

[Special Order] Konairo Square × Lizard Belt, Gunroku, Ladies

For this piece, we paired a white belt with "Gunroku,"

a face color that is also popular among Hanamokko's regular lineup.

"Gunroku" is based on natural azurmalachite, a mineral formed from two minerals mixed together.

Looking closely at the dial, you can see how the blue of azurite and

the green of malachite blend together.

The texture of the iwa-enogu is expressed beautifully even on this small face,

and one of its charms is how its appearance changes depending on the angle and light.

The fresh, bluish-green tone makes for a striking accent in any outfit. 

Stole:  BEGG&CO / Arran Semi Reversible/White × Lt.Blue

[Special Order] Konairo Square × Lizard Belt, Coral, Ladies

The face here is a soft, pale "Coral" pink.

It uses iwa-enogu made by crushing precious natural coral.

We paired the silver case with gold-leaf indexes and gold hands.

For the lizard belt, we chose gray, resulting in a soft

and gentle overall impression. 

Each watch comes in a simple gift box, making it a wonderful choice as a present as well.

No discussion of Hanamokko's wristwatches would be complete without mentioning

the "iwa-enogu" used for the face colors.

Iwa-enogu is a pigment used in Japanese-style painting, made from natural minerals,

and it has been used with a technique that has remained unchanged since the Asuka period,

It's said to be a beautiful pigment with no equal anywhere in the world.  

A sample chart of iwa-enogu (mineral pigments). Only two or three iwa-enogu makers remain in Japan today.

A traditional adhesive called "nikawa" (animal glue) is mixed into powder made from crushed stone,

and this mixture is applied onto the paper that becomes the watch face.

To avoid causing malfunctions in the watch's movement,

the thickness of the washi (Japanese paper) and pigment placed on the dial

must be kept under 0.1mm, so hanamokko

chose what is said to be the thinnest washi in the world for the watch face.

This washi is coated four times to avoid any unevenness,

bringing out the beautiful, deep single tone that iwa-enogu can express.  

Gold or silver leaf is applied to the face for the index markers,

the hour, minute, and second hands are set in place,

the movement is attached, and the case is closed over it.

This whole series of steps in assembling the watch

is carried out entirely by hand at hanamokko.  

A watch, with its function of telling the time.

And yet, beyond simply serving as a tool for knowing the exact time,

we can also discover in it another side—

the way it offers its wearer a sense of relaxed, unhurried peace of mind.

Please try to feel, within this cool timepiece, the warmth of iwa-enogu and the slow, unhurried flow of time.