And I have to say right from the outset – I actually quite like the whole concept and for some reason I also like the product.

Vintage style Handmade Bracelet watch “KAKU(Blue)” leather steampunk

This is A STORY, Tokyo, the handmade watch brand of Gothic Laboratory – Designer Kouhei Yanai and Mari Goto (watch creator).  The web site says their works are influenced by modern Japanese culture, which means animation, cartoon, game, J-ROCK and J-Pop music.  Now we’re really into something that’s way beyond me, BUT I do like the punk style look of their watch collection, some of which I feature here.  When I said something different I really did mean it.

Brand：Mari Goto
Material：Brass, Acrylic tempered glass, Bull leather
Body size：Diameter 35mm × Thickness 11mm
Movement：Japan SEIKO Quartz movement
To fit wrist size：17cm ~ 19cm
Width of strap：25mm
Non-waterproof
Guarantee：One year

Vintage style Handmade Bracelet watch “Hole” leather steam-punk

Brand：Mari Goto
Material：Brass,Acrylic tempered glass, Bull leather
Body size：Diameter 24mm × Thickness 9mm
Movement：Japan SEIKO Quartz movement
To fit wrist size：15.5cm ~ 17cm
Width of strap：10mm
Function：Non-waterproof
Guarantee：One year

Vintage style Handmade watch “macaron” (Mint) L-size leather steam-punk

Brand：Mari Goto
Material：Brass,Acrylic tempered glass ,Bull leather
Body size：Diameter 40mm × Thickness 10mm
Movement：Japan SEIKO Quartz movement
To suit wrist size：16cm ~ 19cm
Width of belt：18mm
Function：Non-waterproof
Guarantee：One year

Definitely NOT the mainstream, but nevertheless these are such an inspired artistic mix of rock and pop culture, grunge and steam-punk that they smack of “today” and modernist young “in your face” if ever was!
A bit like science fiction, the end of civilization, yet from the bits left over – we start again, we start out time again from zero and on.
Now OK, waxing a bit lyrical there for a moment, but you’ve got to hand it to these two and applaud their efforts.  Thing is, it’s not beyond possibility that I might just order one just for me, maybe as a statement – you know I might be a bit frayed about the edges, but I’m not done yet!

Prices are around £100 – £200 and sent directly from Tokyo.  Give them your wrist size, color of strap and they can provide engraving too (free) to your requirements.  Each model takes about a month to make and around a week to get to you – can’t be bad.  And it certainly makes a change from the high end Independent Makers and maybe brings us all down to earth that little bit.

Maybe it’s time for A Story. HERE.