Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry is pleased to announce a collaboration that blends Gucci craftsmanship with traditional artisanship from the Tohoku region in Japan. The aim of this initiative is to create a new watch that supports essential restoration work following the devastating event of March 2011 that hit the area.
In 2013, Gucci initiated the first fundraising concept in this region by designing a new Bamboo handbag crafted with Sendaihira silk, a luxurious type of silk that dates back to the Edo period. Proceeds from the sale of the handbag were donated to Sendai city, and used to support local businesses.
Now Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry is collaborating on a second philanthropic project by creating a limited-edition series of Interlocking watches featuring ‘Tamamushi’ lacquered dials. Tamamushi lacquerware is designated by the nearby Miyagi prefecture as a traditional craft and the technique will be carried out under the aegis of local designer, Mr. Koichiro Kimura. Named after the Tamamushi beetle, this high-shine finish resembles the iridescent shell of this native jewel bug, and is one of Japan’s best-loved traditional arts.
Tamamushi lacquer has now been applied to an exclusive collection of 175 Interlocking timepieces, available in two versions: black PVD (37mm) or stainless steel (29mm). The special lacquered dials feature a striking 3D pyramidal effect and are complemented by the iconic double ‘G’ around the bezel, a reference to the initials of Gucci’s founder Guccio Gucci. Due to the unique landscape of the dial, the Gucci logo is printed on the crystal glass enhancing the depth effect of the case. The final flourish is seen on the case back, which sees these special watches engraved with ‘Limited Edition’.
Japan’s Sendai region, the birthplace of Tamamushi lacquerware and the home of Mr. Kimura, is famed for its traditional craftsmanship that today upheld by skilled artisans. As Sendai, in Tohoku province, was one of the areas most affected by the natural disasters of 2011, 20% of the proceeds from the sale of these Interlocking timepieces will be donated to educational and artistic activities within the city as part of a restoration project.
Just like the new Interlocking timepieces, this latest fusion of Gucci craftsmanship with time-honoured Japanese workmanship results in a uniquely appealing accessory. With this new watch, Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry demonstrates the importance of keeping a cultural heritage alive that is rooted in tradition yet which looks toward the future.
About Koichiro Kimura
Born in 1963 in Sendai, Koichiro Kimura comes from a family with a 400-year history of producing traditional Japanese lacquerware.
With his elegant yet extremely unusual style, he is regarded as one of Japan’s most avant-garde designers. Kimura’s philosophy is to create art and design pieces that express the evolved relationship between man and object, by blending traditional techniques with high technology. His major works include Japanese lacquered tableware, art, and product and interior design.
About Tamamushi lacquerer
Tamamushinuri is the official name given to the patented lacquerware technique that originates in Sendai and which is designated as Miyagi prefecture’s traditional craft. This unique decorative art uses silver dust applied under a layer of clear Urushi Japanese lacquer, resulting in a beautiful silvery luster. Tamamushinuri is named after the jeweled ‘Tamamushi’ beetle, due to its rich tone and brilliant finish. Developed by the National Tohoku Craftwork Institute established in Sendai, Tamamushinuri lacquerware has been produced by Tohoku Kogei under a patented license. It is highly acclaimed for its combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques.