Feel the Inspiration of Japanese Colors, Hanamokko's Watches Made From Mineral Pigments

 

Hanamokko is the watch brand handmade in Kanazawa city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Using mineral pigments, the watches have absolute beauty that Japan has inherited for over centuries.

 

 

Hanamokko's watches with mineral pigments

 

So-called "Iwaenogu," mineral pigments are produced by natural minerals, such as crystal, coral, ruby and so on. Traditional Japanese paintings have used mineral pigments as their material for more than 1400 years whereas the Western style has widely used oil painting for its material. 

 

Raw natural mineral of Azurite malachite. Hanamokko uses the parts of green and blue as mineral pigments.

 

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One of the traits of mineral pigments is its particles. As we grind minerals, the particles of them reveal beautiful colors with gorgeuous luster. These colors of mineral pigments are hardly discolored or faded away. 

Hanamokko places these natural colors on washi, the Japanese traditional paper. Made from wood pulp, washi is tough and enables mineral pigments to display beautiful colors, shadows, and luster.

 

All the process of making a Hanamokko's watch including painting washi, placing a crown, hands, dials, movements, and belts are completed by hands. It takes so long time to complete, but we can see the true beauty of mineral pigments and handmade watch.

 

Watch Konairo Iwatsubaki Women - Using aegirine as the pigment

 

 

The series of "Konairo" describes seasons of Japan
 

The basic series of Hanamokko is called Konairo, which means color powder in Japanese.

The colors and their names are chosen from the view and seasons of Japan. It is interesting to know that each particle of the mineral pigment is left coarse to keep its natural color. If we grind the mineral too fine, the color becomes too white. This is why the texture of the face looks a bit sandy.

 

Watch Konairo Lapis lazuli Women

 

The color of light blue on the face is produced from lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli is known as one of the precious treasures in Buddhism.

 

Watch Konairo Green Unisex

 

The deep blue-green is made from Azurite malachite, the mineral which has both blue and green parts.  

 

Watch Konairo Cinnabar Square

 

The red square face is produced from the mineral called cinnabar. The color of red well fit to the gold index. 

 

[Bespoke] Watch Konairo Jasper

 

The yellow face is made of Jasper, the mineral with yellow and greenish colors. The watch is bespoke of ZUTTO that has two belts of blue and brown. You can select the belt on your own mood.

 

 

 

The series of "Kasane," the beautiful layers of colors

 

Kasane means "a layer" in Japanese. The series is inspired by kimono, Japanese traditional dress that is made of multiple layers of fabric. Over centuries ago, people enjoy different combinations of colors by having different layers of kimono. You can find the inspiration on the face of Kasane's watches.

 

 

Watch Kasane Nadeshiko

 

Here is the example of Kasane with crystal, green agate, and pieces of gold leaf. The pattern is so delicate that you would be fascinated by authentic beauty.

 

 

Variation of leather belts for Hanamokko's watches

 

 

Hanamokko's watches can easily switch their belts. As the picture above shows, just pull the belt out from the metal parts to change the belt. Changing the color of the belt is just like changing clothes.

 

Above: Watch Gold (Black belt) 

Below: Watch Gold (Indigo/Camel)

 

 Watch Konairo Iwashiun (Blue-white belt)

 

ZUTTO has double belts for Hanamokko in various colors. The leather belt could not only be used for the watch but also work as a bracelet. Find your favorite belt and enjoy the combination of colors.

>> Check out the belt here.

 

 

 

▽Find Hanamokko's watches here