Posted by Will Duncan
on 20th June 2024
in Sports Watch
Hitori Somei Yoshino
Sponsored
Manufacturer: Hitori Watch Co. | Price: $539 USD
Hitori Somei Yoshino Shirakaba
- Dimensions: Case – 39.3mm, Thickness – 11.8mm, Lug to Lug – 46.8mm, Lug Width – 20mm
- Total Weight: 142g (bracelet sized up for my 6.8″ wrist)
- Movement: Seiko NH35-A, 21,600vph, Custom Rotor, Hackable, Self Winding, 41hr Power Reserve
- Case: Brushed & Polished 316L Stainless Steel, Drilled Lugs
- Bracelet: 3-Link, Brushed & Polished 316L Stainless Steel, Screw Pins, Milled Clasp
- Crystal: Flat Sapphire, Multiple Layers of Anti-Reflective (AR) Coatings (Underside)
- Dial: Textured White, Sloped Chapter Ring, Applied Faceted Hour Markers, Dauphine Hands, Date @3
- Water Resistance: 100m / 10 ATM / 330ft
- Caseback: Screw Down, Exhibition Display, Unique Serial Number
- Crown: 6mm, Screw Down, Signed
- Where to Buy: Gnomon Watches
- Warranty: 12 Months International
Hitori Somei Yoshino Video Review
Somei Yoshino - Hitori Watches
"The inspiration of the new Somei Yoshino Series. The "Yoshino" watches are significantly inspired by the cherry blossoms of Mount Yoshinoyama (吉野山, Yoshino-yama), located in the town and district of Yoshino itself, in Nara prefecture. Fame for having more than 30,000 sakura flowering cherry trees, it has inspired ancestry Japanese wake poetry and folk songs for centuries, including a Kokinshū waka in the 10th-century poetry compilation Kokin Wakashū ("Collection of Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times"). And now, the religious mountain continues its magic, influencing Hitori with a new collection that distilled its "mystical" charm and enchantress "sakura".
The imminent Yoshino collection expands on its cherry blossom theme, with Hitori now focusing on the tree's wood itself. Named "Somei Yoshino," this new collection vividly brings to life the cherry trees of Mount Yoshinoyama, drawing inspiration from their birch texture. It shines with nostalgic timepieces that redefine classic style uniquely from the land of the rising sun—crafted proudly in Asia with exquisite savoir-faire. The bezel-less watch case boasts a distinctive architectural form, echoing the "Grammar Of Design" ethos by Seiko's designer, Mr. Taro Tanaka-san. The oriental case design harmonizes with a beautifully textured dial, evoking the refined birch wood texture in a silver-white hue.
Made out of 316L stainless steel, the annual 100 pieces-only Somei Yoshino Shirakaba measures 39.6mm in diameter, a height of 10.55mm (without the crystal), and a lug-to-lug length of 46.8mm. The well-thought-out dimensions of this 100m water-resistance watch are crafted meticulously to fit comfortably on any of our wrist sizes. The case design of the Somei Yoshino is straight out of the mid-sixties, instantly recognizable by any watch aficionados who came across vintage GS during an era when the emerging brand from Japan wanted to match up against those Swiss manufacturers in terms of watch designs. One of its designers outlined specific rules that would later be sealed in Seiko's and Japan's history. Even the modern GS still follow strictly today."
The imminent Yoshino collection expands on its cherry blossom theme, with Hitori now focusing on the tree's wood itself. Named "Somei Yoshino," this new collection vividly brings to life the cherry trees of Mount Yoshinoyama, drawing inspiration from their birch texture. It shines with nostalgic timepieces that redefine classic style uniquely from the land of the rising sun—crafted proudly in Asia with exquisite savoir-faire. The bezel-less watch case boasts a distinctive architectural form, echoing the "Grammar Of Design" ethos by Seiko's designer, Mr. Taro Tanaka-san. The oriental case design harmonizes with a beautifully textured dial, evoking the refined birch wood texture in a silver-white hue.
Made out of 316L stainless steel, the annual 100 pieces-only Somei Yoshino Shirakaba measures 39.6mm in diameter, a height of 10.55mm (without the crystal), and a lug-to-lug length of 46.8mm. The well-thought-out dimensions of this 100m water-resistance watch are crafted meticulously to fit comfortably on any of our wrist sizes. The case design of the Somei Yoshino is straight out of the mid-sixties, instantly recognizable by any watch aficionados who came across vintage GS during an era when the emerging brand from Japan wanted to match up against those Swiss manufacturers in terms of watch designs. One of its designers outlined specific rules that would later be sealed in Seiko's and Japan's history. Even the modern GS still follow strictly today."
Dennis Chong
Gnomon Watches, Singapore 🇸🇬
A massive thank you to Dennis at Gnomon Watches for sending out the Somei Yoshino for review. To view their website, or to sign up to their newsletter for details of new releases etc, please visit gnomonwatches.com. Please subscribe to Zaltek Reviews YouTube Channel, as well as following me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter. Also, please feel free to join our Facebook group WatchChat, a very busy, friendly & active community for both watch enthusiasts and collectors alike, with an absolute shit ton of images and in-depth discussions.