A unique original in the artificial world of un-obtainable models: Kikuchi Nakagawa.
You know, those endless waiting lists that take years, not months, those lists really piss me off. Not to mention that the models produced in thousands of pieces cannot be found in the dealers but decorating the windows of every single second-hand watch store. Moreover, their resale values are mostly a few times the MSRPs. Now, I don't want to talk about these issues that you all know for the thousandth time and stress you out even more. Since we can't get those hype models, I thought we better go for the hidden treasures and get something truly special after all the money and waiting.
I am not new to this mindset. 10 years ago, I was looking for a time-only watch. Like everyone else, I turned to one of the strongest alternatives, the Rolex Submariner. When I was looking for potentially better options, the Nautilus with the flimsy bracelet I came across, did not attract my attention that much. I miss the years when we could choose a watch without thinking about its resale value. I mean the time when we buy the watches we like.
Times have changed. We can no longer choose the watches we will have. Dealers choose the customers they want to wear their watches. Since we can't get out of this cycle, let's take a look at Kikuchi Nakagawa, which I reached through my curiosity for the best and most special.
Let me present the information given at the end of a classic article from the beginning. There are two different models, Murakumo and Ichimonji, in the current collection of Kikuchi Nakagawa. The models offered with black and white dial options are quite expensive. The prices of the watches equipped with steel cases vary between 20,300 and 21,000 USD. These prices do not include taxes. The crucial point is that it takes an average of 7 years to reach a watch you order today. On April 1, 2022, the price list will be updated, possibly further increasing the waiting times.
As if it's not enough to pay extraordinary amounts of money for an extremely simple watch that only tells the time and is produced with a stainless steel case, waiting 7 years: Madness!
Not really. When you look at the Kikuchi Nakagawa watches, you come across extraordinary, astonishing, admirable, eye-opening details - I can continue these phrases forever. Mirror-polished screws processed with a technique also known as black polishing, perfectly machined hands, and dial, a case that has been thought out to the smallest detail and a high-horology movement. No wonder the reputation of Kikuchi Nakagawa, who has succeeded in producing amazing products in real life as well as on paper.
I personally love the Murakumo model. The case, produced by Matsuura, measures 36.8mm x 8.5mm. The hand-finished hands are made by Yuki Precision. The dial, measuring only 0.4mm in height, is shaped by the skillful hands of Comblemine SA. Bright Sapphire Co. Ltd. made the double AR-coated sapphire crystal. Matsushita-an undertook the production of the crocodile leather strap, which started from 22mm and narrowed to 18mm. The micro-rotor movement, which has a 48-hour power reserve and operates at a frequency of 21600vph, bears the signature of Vaucher. Kikuchi Nakagawa Murakumo is a great example of the perfect harmony between matching collaborations.
So is all this romance worth the $21,000 + taxes + 7plus years of waiting time? The price tag part is up to you, but the waiting time is quite annoying. Need to find a solution to this? I wish the number of manufacturers where we can reach such special products would increase.
