If you’re not familiar with Mr. Kikuno’s work already, you soon will be.
Born in 1983 in Hokkaido, Japan, Masahiro Kikuno is the first Japanese watch-maker ever permitted to join the Académie Horlogère Des Créateurs Indépendants.
Since established himself as a serious watch-maker at Baselworld 2011 with his first watch he has been churning out new and unusual complications nonchalantly.
As exemplified by his Orizuru watch (pictured), a timepiece featuring a flying Origami crane .
“I have long been interested in combining the repeater and automaton in one watch. I was certain that it would be possible to utilize the power of the repeater to power the automaton, but I was not sure what type of “automaton” would be most suitable for my watch.
I took a bit of time-off and visited a small country side inn. When I was leaving, I looked up and I saw an “origami crane” made of glass hanging from the ceiling. That was when the inspiration struck me and I started drawing the design immediately upon my return – a repeater watch on which the Origami crane flies. ”
The dial is made up of three round apertures, one displaying the time, the other two the movement and the animated crane. When the button on the side of the case is pressed the crane rotates to indicate AM & PM.
The Masahiro Kikuno Orizuru watch is made entirely by hand without use of CNC machine and consists of 272 parts.
More info at his website (in Japanese)
