The Otsuka Rotec "No. 8" combines a design inspired by open-reel audio recorders with a retrograde minute display that slowly returns to zero. The result is a finish that possesses a "gentleness" never seen before.
Text by Shinichi Sato
Edited by Yuto Hosoda (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
The highlight of the retrograde is its slow return to zero.
The latest creation from Otsuka Lowtec, "No. 8," is attracting global attention. Its most distinctive features are its design inspired by open-reel audio recorders and its slowly resetting retrograde minute display. Automatic winding (Cal. MIYOTA 90S5 + in-house module). 33 jewels + 3 bearings. 28,800 vibrations/hour. Power reserve of approximately 32 hours. Stainless steel case (47.8 x 31 mm from lug to lug, 10.8 mm thick). Water resistant for everyday use. 990,000 yen (including tax).
Otsuka Lowtec's latest creation, which has garnered global attention, is the "No. 8," a retrograde minute display that slowly returns to zero. Their past works, often described as steampunk, evoke an era where designs were determined by the constraints of the mechanism, and their challenging nature stimulated the enjoyment of working with machinery, making them very appealing.
On the other hand, the No. 8, while sharing a similar worldview, has a significantly different feel, with a design that conveys consideration and gentleness for the user. The design was inspired by open-reel audio recorders, which were mainstream until the 1970s. The corners of the case are rounded, giving it a soft feel, and the hour hand at the 9 o'clock position has a shape reminiscent of the knobs on audio equipment that look pleasant to the touch. Each display seems to speak to you, indicating what it is pointing to and what it means. This "gentleness" is also reflected in the retrograde minute display on the semi-circular meter at the 3 o'clock position. In a typical retrograde, the hand instantly returns to zero when it reaches the end. In contrast, the No. 8 employs a mechanism that returns to zero slowly. Jiro Katayama, who leads the brand, laughs and says, "There is no meaning to that," but it is an important element that gives a gentle impression to an inorganic machine. This operation is made possible by a mechanism that incorporates a proprietary module into the Miyota 90 series movement, and at its core is a flywheel that rotates over time, modeled after an open reel.
While retaining the same retro feel as its predecessors, the No. 8 seems to reflect the history of industrial machinery, shifting from a focus on mechanism to prioritizing usability and safety. This sense of evolution in machine design and its unique worldview are part of Otsuka Lowtec's appeal and will likely lead to even greater global popularity.
