The charm of the American watch "Kakukin Clock" that you can aim for from the 100,000 yen level!

Did you know that there is a model often called "Kakukin Clock" among antique watch lovers? As you can read, it seems that it is usually a square watch made of 18K gold material.

Of course, it must be a watch that uses a square or rectangular case, but in the case of an antique watch, the square gold watch is made in the United States (hereinafter referred to as American watch), and the case is not gold but metal of the case. It refers to the one in which the whole is made gold by a technique called "gold tensioning" in which a thin gold foil is thermocompression bonded. In other words, if the material is gold or made in Switzerland, it does not seem to be called a square gold watch. Of course, this is only in the world of antique watches. But I don't know why it's so limited.

Gruen's square gold watch, Carbex. As a driver watch, the case itself is curved so that you can check the time while holding the steering wheel while driving. Made in the 1940s. K10GF (20 x 25 mm size). Manual winding (Cal. 440, 17 jewels)

Square gold watches were mainly manufactured in the 1920s and 1950s. Since the design incorporating Art Deco, which blossomed at the same time, was the mainstream, the individual cases up to the 30's had various shapes of cases, and many of the dial designs were quite unique, which was quite interesting. Recommended for those who want to enjoy it as a little fashion accessory.

Among the American watches of the time, the most well-known brands of square gold watches are Gruen, Hamilton, Elgin, Bulova and Waltham. And especially recommended are Hamilton and Gruen. Hamilton has an excellent hand-wound movement. In particular, the square movements Cal.980 and 982 are known as masterpieces. Gruen, on the other hand, has many distinctive and American-like shapes, such as the Carbex featured here, and can be played in cases.

[Image] Hamilton, Elgin, Bulova's "Kakukin Clock"

A photo with the back cover open.It is thought to have a movable lug so that it fits on the wrist even when worn.

A square gold watch full of charm that makes you feel the times. Why don't you check it out? Of course, it is not limited to square gold watches, but it is difficult to use everyday because only old ones are not waterproof. However, if you pay attention to water (sweat) and impact, you should be able to enjoy it enough.

Kikuchi Yoshimasa – KIKUCHI Yoshimasa

Watch magazines such as "Low Beat" and "Time Gear" are produced one after another, with the watch magazine "Power Watch" at the top. Currently, as the publisher and editor-in-chief, the number of publications is more than 20 per year. In recent years, the industry's first crowdfunding site specializing in watches, "WATCH Makers," has been opened. In addition, he also plans and supervises original watches as a creative director of his own watch brand "OUTLINE" that reproduces the taste of antique watches. From 2019, every Sunday morning, "Rolex communication of Yoshimasa Kikuchi" is being serialized on Yahoo News!