The "Masters of Horological Craftsmanship" event brings together world-renowned independent watchmakers and Japan's leading craftsmen to demonstrate their skills. The rare displays of actual watches and talk sessions are a valuable experience.
Edited by Yuto Hosoda (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
"Techniques of Time" Exhibition brings together watchmakers from Japan and abroad
The "Masters of Horological Craftsmanship" exhibition will be held in Shibuya, Tokyo in January 2026. This exhibition will be a rare opportunity to bring together world-renowned independent watchmakers and leading craftsmen in Japanese mechanical watchmaking to hold demonstrations and exhibitions.
The participants were AHCI member and GPHG award winner Bernard Lederer, the first LV Watch Prize winner Raoul Pagès, Seiko Watch's Takuma Kawauchiya, developer of the "Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon", Seiko Watch's Tsune Ogawa, who works as an engraver at Credor, Contemporary Master Craftsman and AHCI member Hajime Asaoka, member of the LV Watch Prize Expert Committee and head of HAJIME ASAOKA, Takano, and Chrono Tokyo, and Jiro Katayama, founder of Otsuka Low-Tech.
At the venue, each watchmaker will demonstrate movement assembly and component manufacturing. On display will be notable pieces such as the GPHG award-winning Lederer "Central Impulse Chronometer," Pagès "RP2" and "Sovary Onyx," Grand Seiko "Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon," Credor "Gold Feather," Takano "Château Nouvelle Chronometer," Chrono Tokyo "2025 Jubilee Sensu EOL White and Blue," Otsuka Low-Tech "No. 6," "No. 5 Modified," and the latest "No. 9."
There will also be a variety of talk sessions. On the 10th, Pagès, Lederer, and Asaoka will discuss "What is AHCI?", on the 11th Kawauchiya and Katayama will discuss "Receiving the GPHG Award," and on the 12th Nathalie Marielloni, deputy curator of the International Watch Museum, will talk about "Behind the Scenes at the World's Largest Watch Museum." This will be an opportunity to learn about the techniques and ideas of cutting-edge watchmakers and to gain insight into the future.
Masters of Horological Craftsmanship
Date: August 2026th to 1th, 9
Time: 11:00-19:00 (until 18:00 on the last day)
Location: 6-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
MIYASHITA PARK SOUTH 3F
"The Art of Time - Masters of Horological Craftsmanship" is a special exhibition featuring renowned independent watchmakers and Japanese master craftsmen. There will be live demonstrations of movement assembly and parts production, displays of actual watches including GPHG award-winning works, and talk sessions on the themes of AHCI and GPHG. Admission is free, but advance reservations are required. For more details, please visit the organizer's website (https://pwtokyo.co.jp/) and will be announced at a later date. Organized by Tokyo Watch Precision. Co-organized by Seiko Watch. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, and the Association of Independent Watchmakers (AHCI).
