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Hajime Asaoka’s Tourbillon Noir: Specs, Movement and Price

Announced in 2023, Hajime Asaoka’s 37 mm Tourbillon Noir pairs an Art Deco-influenced black lacquer dial with a hand-wound modular tourbillon. Its price and production count were not confirmed in launch coverage.
Estimate3–4 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
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Hajime Asaoka’s Tourbillon Noir is a 37 mm, hand-wound tourbillon watch announced in March 2023. Its black multilayer lacquer dial and compact case give the independent watchmaker’s Art Deco design a relatively restrained footprint. Launch coverage described production as limited, but did not give a quantity or a confirmed price; current pricing and availability are not established.

Tourbillon Noir specifications

Fratello Watches published the following specifications in 2023; Deployant’s review lists substantially the same core details.

Specification Tourbillon Noir
Case 316L stainless steel
Diameter 37 mm
Thickness 12.3 mm
Dial Black lacquer with multilayer Tsuikoshi finish
Crystal and caseback Sapphire
Movement In-house, hand-wound tourbillon caliber
Frequency 18,000 vibrations per hour
Power reserve 40 hours
Jewels 17
Water resistance 3 ATM
Strap Hand-stitched leather
Functions Time display with tourbillon regulator

Art Deco styling in a 37 mm case

Phillips reported that the model was publicly announced in March 2023 and described it as Asaoka’s smallest tourbillon wristwatch. Fratello’s launch coverage describes a polished, round steel case and a glossy black dial formed with circular ridges. A steel chapter ring carries lacquer-filled markers, with a prominent Art Deco-style marker at 12 o’clock.

A large opening occupies roughly half the dial’s height, exposing the tourbillon beneath a broad polished bridge. The design puts the regulator on display while keeping the watch time-only apart from the tourbillon itself.

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What is different about the modular movement?

The movement is organized into modules covering the going train, tourbillon carriage, motion work, and mainplate with barrel, according to Fratello’s 2023 interview with Asaoka. The practical point is how parts can be removed during work: the dial and motion-work module can be disassembled without first taking off the hands.

Asaoka said the motion-work plate also contains the winding-stem bearing. If that bearing wears, the plate can be replaced as a unit. He also described a jig for accurately removing and refitting the cannon pinion, which permits removal of the center wheel. These features describe a service-oriented architecture; they do not, by themselves, establish lower service costs, longer intervals, or easier servicing for every repair.

Rank #2
LONGIO Volcan Tourbillon Watch, 42mm Titanium DLC Case, Black Rubber Strap
  • Exclusive Limited Edition Only 100 Pieces Worldwide: Each LONGIO Volcan Tourbillon is part of a strictly limited run of just 100 pieces worldwide, ensuring true rarity and exceptional collector's value
  • A Tribute to Earth's Sublime Power: Inspired by the majestic force of volcanic eruptions, the Volcan blends elemental power with refined elegance for a distinctive luxury statement
  • Central Tourbillon Engineering: Features a rare mechanical hand-wound central tourbillon rotating once every 60 seconds, with 16 precision screws on the cage to achieve balance
  • High-Performance Hand-Wound Movement: Driven by a hand-wound mechanical movement beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), with 19 jewels and an impressive 48-hour power reserve, visible through a sapphire crystal case back
  • Robust 42mm DLC Titanium Case: Engineered from lightweight titanium and finished with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating for exceptional scratch resistance and a sophisticated black aesthetic, ensuring durability and elegance

Asaoka characterized the mechanism as an evolution of Project T: its basic mechanism is essentially the same, but made more compact and refined. He also connected the movement’s layout to the watch’s Art Deco theme, describing the harmony between mechanism and style as a central design aim.

Price, production quantity and availability

Fratello reported in April 2023 that production would be limited and that the price had yet to be determined. It did not state how many watches would be made. Deployant likewise said its enquiry found no set price at the time of its review. Its “circa CHF 120k” figure was the reviewer’s speculation, not a confirmed retail price.

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Rank #3
AGELOCER Tourbillon Watches Men, Original Design Ultra Thin Classic Style, Skeleton Manual Mechanical Watch, Waterproof Dress Watch Gift
  • This tourbillon crafted by Swiss chief designer Etienne Ruffieux with modern architectural aesthetics, features a lightweight, comfortable, free-sprung balance flying tourbillon. It houses an independently developed architectural tourbillon movement adorned with oversized ruby bearings. The design aesthetic is expressed through the interplay of light and shadow created by its extreme skeletonization. The watch has been honored with the IAI Global Design Award for its outstanding original design.
  • Independently developed CAL9001 free-sprung balance flying tourbillon movement, manual winding, 28,880 vibrations per hour, 25 ruby bearings. Features high-end finishing including satin brushing and beveled edges, engraved brand logo with gold-stamped. Dual mainspring series technology delivers 80-hour power reserve (twice that of standard tourbillon movements). This technology ensures more uniform and gradual mainspring release, resulting in enhanced timekeeping precision and stability.
  • The CAL9001 tourbillon movement features the exclusive free-sprung micro-adjustment technology typically reserved for luxury timepieces. This free-sprung system eliminates the need for a balance spring regulator, thereby overcoming the timing inaccuracies caused by regulator displacement in conventional mechanical movements. This ensures the watch delivers enhanced precision and stability in timekeeping.
  • This tourbillon measures 40mm in diameter and just 9.7mm in thickness, weighing a mere 67 grams. Its meticulously engineered structure and radically skeletonized tourbillon movement eliminate all superfluous metal components, allowing the mechanical artistry of the free-sprung flying tourbillon to shine in its purest form. It is an exquisite, high-end tourbillon watch that is both ultra-thin and supremely comfortable.
  • The watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, featuring a double-sided sapphire crystal and an Italian leather strap with hand-stitched detailing for comfortable and durable wear. We offer a three-year worldwide warranty.

Those are launch-era reports, not a current quotation. The available reporting does not establish a present price, stock, authorized seller, service channel, or verified Amazon listing. Phillips’ May 2023 coverage confirms the March 2023 public announcement, but does not establish that the watch remains available to buy.

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How to assess the watch

The clearest points of distinction are its 37 mm diameter, black multilayer dial, hand-wound tourbillon, and modular movement layout. For a prospective buyer, the unresolved practical questions are the current price, exact production quantity, availability, and where the watch can be serviced. No confirmed figures for those points are available in the cited launch and review coverage.

Rank #4
AGELOCER Tourbillon Watches Men, Original Ultra Thin Classic Style, Skeleton Manual Mechanical Watch, Leather Strap Mens Waterproof Dress Watch Gift
  • This tourbillon crafted by Swiss chief designer Etienne Ruffieux with modern architectural aesthetics, features a lightweight, comfortable, free-sprung balance flying tourbillon. It houses an independently developed architectural tourbillon movement adorned with oversized ruby bearings. The design aesthetic is expressed through the interplay of light and shadow created by its extreme skeletonization. The watch has been honored with the IAI Global Design Award for its outstanding original design.
  • Independently developed CAL9001 free-sprung balance flying tourbillon movement, manual winding, 28,880 vibrations per hour, 25 ruby bearings. Features high-end finishing including satin brushing and beveled edges, engraved brand logo with gold-stamped. Dual mainspring series technology delivers 80-hour power reserve (twice that of standard tourbillon movements). This technology ensures more uniform and gradual mainspring release, resulting in enhanced timekeeping precision and stability.
  • The CAL9001 tourbillon movement features the exclusive free-sprung micro-adjustment technology typically reserved for luxury timepieces. This free-sprung system eliminates the need for a balance spring regulator, thereby overcoming the timing inaccuracies caused by regulator displacement in conventional mechanical movements. This ensures the watch delivers enhanced precision and stability in timekeeping.
  • This tourbillon measures 40mm in diameter and just 9.7mm in thickness, weighing a mere 67 grams. Its meticulously engineered structure and radically skeletonized tourbillon movement eliminate all superfluous metal components, allowing the mechanical artistry of the free-sprung flying tourbillon to shine in its purest form. It is an exquisite, high-end tourbillon watch that is both ultra-thin and supremely comfortable.
  • The watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, featuring a double-sided sapphire crystal and an Italian leather strap with hand-stitched detailing for comfortable and durable wear. We offer a three-year worldwide warranty.

For design context, Phillips notes that Asaoka studied watchmaking with George Daniels’ Watchmaking. That connection offers background on his self-directed study, rather than a recommendation for owners or a service manual.

Best Value
EEIJOY Men's Tourbillon Watch, Manual Wind Skeleton, Dodecagonal 42mm Steel
  • Genuine Offset Flying Tourbillon, 40H Power Reserve: 9 o'clock visible tourbillon, Caliber 8001 manual wind, no battery, NOT automatic, accuracy-tested 15+ days. Asymmetric layout breaks the traditional 6 o'clock convention — a distinctive gift for enthusiasts of geometric design and offset tourbillon mechanics.
  • Dodecagonal 12-Sided 316L Steel Case: 42mm twelve-facet case with brushed + polished finishes, higher machining complexity than a round case, catching light from every angle. Slim profile fits daily wear; architectural wrist presence that stands apart from conventional designs.
  • Full Skeleton Dial + Luminous Hands: exposed gear train with black striped bridges, golden gears and jewels; light-charged luminous coating for clear reading in the dark. Industrial mechanical beauty on the wrist, day and night.
  • Sapphire Crystal Front & Back (Mohs 9): scratch-resistant sapphire on both sides, second only to diamond; integrated 316L steel bracelet with solid 3-link construction and butterfly clasp for secure daily wear.
  • 5ATM (50M) Splash Protection Only: safe for rain, splashes and hand washing — NOT for swimming, showering or diving; rinse after saltwater; wind daily. 3-year movement warranty; gift-ready for dad, husband or boyfriend.

Sources

  • Fratello Watches, Thor Svaboe, April 26, 2023: interview, design observations, specifications, movement architecture, and launch-era production and price status.
  • Phillips, May 23, 2023: announcement context, case size, and study background.
  • Deployant, review of the 2023 model: specification cross-check and price enquiry.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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