Premium Automatic TAKUMI Collection Raden – Sumi Monochrome and Blue G

Raden is a traditional decorative technique in which the nacreous layers of shells such as green turban shell and mother-of-pearl are carefully cut and applied to the surfaces of lacquerware and woodcrafts. Its defining characteristic is the way its colors shift depending on the angle of light. The character “ra” (螺) refers to spiral shells, while “den” (鈿) signifies inlay.
Its history dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. Introduced to Japan during the Nara period, raden has captivated generations across more than 1,300 years of history and continues to be celebrated today as one of Japan’s defining traditional crafts.

The Radiance of Raden

The model features an arrangement of traditional Raden which is more subtle, and ideal for wearing in everyday life.　This innovative variation on the Raden technique lends it a contemporary feel.

ATC-40 SVJRBL

Raden – Blue Glacier
Premium Automatic Chronograph

¥258,000 (The strap is sold separately.)

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AT-38 SVJRBL

Raden – Blue Glacier
Premium Automatic Date

¥126,000 (The strap is sold separately.)

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AT-38 SVJRBK-R

Raden – Sumi Monochrome
Premium Automatic Date

¥114,000 (The strap is sold separately.)

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ATC-40 SVJRBK-R

Raden – Sumi Monochrome
Premium Automatic Chronograph

¥246,000 (The strap is sold separately.)

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The Craftsmanship of
Aizu Traditional Artisans

The title of “Traditional Artisan” is only awarded to technicians working in the manufacture of traditional crafts who possess advanced artisanal skills and techniques.
The dial has been realized in collaboration with Nobuichi Otake, a Traditional Artisan whose work employs sophisticated technical skills and an original sense of style.

Nobuichi Otake,
Traditional Artisan

Born in 1959, Kaneyama, Fukushima Prefecture.
Upon completing high school, Nobuichi Otake initially worked at a hydroelectric power station. However, he had aspired to work as a painter ever since he was a child. He happened to learn about the maki-e lacquer art profession while watching TV, and became an apprentice to Sone Takuo, a contemporary master artisan of Aizu lacquerware. After five years and five months as an apprentice, he became an independent Aizu lacquerware maki-e craftsman.

The Raden Production Process

1. Base coating

After filtering to remove any impurities, lacquer is applied to the dial so that the shell pieces can adhere to it.
This must be done evenly and with the right thickness, since this will determine the final result.

2. Shell crushing

The shells are crushed into small pieces before being distributed over the dial, all entirely by hand.
The shiny inner layer of the finely processed shell is carefully crushed into small and medium-sized pieces.

3. Distribution of shell pieces

Shell pieces of different colors and shapes are applied in a balanced manner according to the craftsman’s intuition.
The color and shape of the shell pieces are adjusted to create a gentle gradient from the center, before finishing with fine flakes applied through a powder tube.

4. Coating application

The lacquer is applied again to cover the distributed shell pieces.
This fills the spaces between the shell fragments, allowing the lacquer and shell to shine together as a uniform surface.

5. Polishing

After the layers of lacquer have thoroughly dried, the surface is polished so that the shell pieces can reveal their full brilliance. Through this process, the lacquer and shell pieces become smooth and shine as one. Too much polishing can cause the shell pieces to chip, so this is a highly delicate process carried out with a craftsman’s touch.

View details of all processes.

The Craftsmanship
Behind Blue Glacier
& Sumi Monochrome

View the Sumi-Monochrome View the Blue Glacier

Gradient Finish

To ensure legibility of the hour markers, the raden is arranged in a gradient pattern that evolves toward the outer edge of the dial. The exacting vision of Knot’s product designers is brought to life by hand by the traditional artisan.
The natural shell pieces are arranged at consistent intervals, adjusting the color and size as the gradient transitions towards the edge. This intricate effect is a result which can only be achieved by the skilled hand and intuition of a master.

Styling

An Exclusive Package, Made for Raden

The watch is presented in a Premium Automatic Collection box accompanied by an exclusive sleeve designed specifically for the Raden series.
* An original watch cloth is included.

Specification

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AT-38SVJRBK-R (Sumi Monochrome)
/ SVJRBL (Blue Glacier)

【Case】316L stainless steel
【Crystal】Sapphire glass (single-sided anti-reflective coating)
【Water resistance】5 ATM (water resistant to 5 bar)
【Movement】MIYOTA Cal. 9015 (8 vibrations per second, 42-hour running time)
【Number of jewels】24
【Accuracy】Average -10 seconds to +30 seconds per day (at room temperature between 5°C and 35°C)
【Display features】3 hands (hours, minutes, seconds), date
【Warranty period】3 years (for movement)
【Size and weight】Diameter 38mm, thickness 10mm, weight 50g

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ATC-40SVJRBK-R (Sumi Monochrome)
/ SVJRBL (Blue Glacier)

【Case】316L stainless steel
【Crystal】Sapphire glass (single-sided anti-reflective coating)
【Water resistance】10 ATM (water resistant to 10 bar)
【Movement】NE88 (8 vibrations per second, 42-hour running time)
【Number of jewels】34
【Accuracy】Average -10 seconds to +30 seconds per day (at room temperature between 5°C and 35°C)
【Display features】6 hands (hours, minutes, small-second, stopwatch hand (seconds), 30-minute hand, 12-hour hand), date
【Warranty period】3 years (for movement)
【Size and weight】Diameter 40mm, thickness 13.5mm, weight 91.5g

The sign of ahigh-performance timepiece: high-beat movement

For the movement – the watch’s beating heart – Knot has adopted the movement made in Japan.
This high-beat movement oscillates 28,800 times per hour (8 times a second), reducing the distance of the swing of the second hand and drastically increasing the precision of the watch.

“Sallaz Polishing” is synonymous with luxury Japanese-made mechanical watches A clear mirror-finished case, polished to perfection by the hands of skilled craftsmen

The Knot Premium Automatic model uses a case made from 316L surgical stainless steel – an exceptionally high-purity alloy also used in medical settings – and finished with Zaratsu polishing. Zaratsu mirror polishing is an advanced finishing technique that creates flat, distortion-free surfaces with sharply defined edges. Only a very small number of craftsmen are capable of performing this process, earning it the reputation of “phantom polishing”. Today, it is rarely seen outside high-end Japanese-made watches. By polishing each surface individually, different expressions can be drawn out from the same material. This highly sophisticated technique is made possible by the veteran craftsmen at Hayashi Seiki Seizo.

Staineless Steel Case
SUS316L

The case is made from high-purity stainless steel SUS316L, a corrosion-resistant material also used in surgical instruments. This metal emits almost no ions that can cause allergic reactions, making it safe to wear even for those with metal sensitivities.*

*Please note that this does not guarantee that all individuals will be free from allergic reactions.

Non-reflective,
coated sapphire glass

The crystal of the Premium Automatic series utilizes the same level of sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating that can be found in luxury watches. The coating is on one side only, which increases the visibility of the clock face while at the same time minimizing discoloration of the glass.

3-Year Warranty

The Premium Automatic Series comes with a 3-year warranty from the date of purchase, designed to be cherished for years to come. Knot also operates its own atelier, offering repair and maintenance services to ensure your watch stays in excellent condition. For more information, please visit our Repair Inquiries page.

TAKUMI Collection

A premium automatic model crafted in collaboration with master artisans of Japan.