The New King of Japanese Dress Watches

[@kuoekyoto1438]

Thank you so much for featuring us!!

[@TopTierTicker]

Keep up the great work 🙏 absolutely love the designs

[@johanvandersandt8904]

I think these are fantastic. The are stylish and classic and you can tell that it was made with love and attention to detail! Given the water resistance and the classic look this could very much be a do it all watch. I don't mind the mineral crystal but this would great with an acrylic crystal too! Have a great weekend Kieran!

[@ukcliffjones]

Bought one this month in Kyoto. I was also not sure about the 35mm, but as someone who wears a 39mm diver on a 7 inch wrist, this is perfect for the refined style.

[@MichaelMitchell-vk9lk]

A very nice Japanese well made watch and well worth the money. Thanks for showing us this watch

[@TopTierTicker]

Very welcome my friend. Thank you for watching 🙏

[@nextonthewrist]

I just can't get away from Kuoe on my Facebook ads, I've been on and off their website probably 7-8 times, umming and ahhing... I will pick one up at some point following your video. 100m WR on dress watches is my kind of brand haha... Thanks for the video mate smashed it.

[@kresimirpleic]

This is right up my alley. I have a 7.5 inch wrist and wear watches in the 32-44mm range. I prefer sub 40mm watches unless they are sports beaters. The sapphire upgrade is a no-brainer, and the price is not bad considering the size, shape and clarity of the crystal. The beads of rice bracelet is worth the price for the quick release system alone - I love swapping out straps and bracelets and quick-release is by far my favorite feature. Miyota 9 series is a fantastic movement that can be serviced and regulated by any local watchmaker for not much money. I buy to wear, not to flip, so I really don't care that they charge for the upgrades. This is a proper watch. It's been a good while since I've last looked into this brand, perhaps I should have another look.

[@therearenohandlesleft1]

Gorgeous. Needs to be 25% cheaper though. Wish it had a double lume plot at 12. Up against stiff competition from Lorier.

[@TopTierTicker]

Agree, agree, bit picky, and agree 😂 thanks for watching matey 🙏

[@therearenohandlesleft1]

@@TopTierTicker haha thing is there are so many options these days I can afford to be picky! I mostly use lume when the watch is off wrist on a nightstand, so orientation is important. Keep up the good work and thanks for the reply :)

[@chrisbaker7760]

I always see these comments on microbrand watches. Where do you find something like this for 25% cheaper? I'm genuinely curious.

[@TopTierTicker]

@@chrisbaker7760 I think he's making the point that at 25% cheaper, it would be a no brainer

[@therearenohandlesleft1]

@@chrisbaker7760 Lorier Falcon very similar style and specs; 12% cheaper. Vario Empire 25% cheaper but adds mother of pearl and sapphire, Sarnowski Druid (on kickstarter right now) 25% cheaper (sapphire, malachite). It's just stretching the value for money a little.

[@derektrips]

I'm a big fan of your watch-related content, and your expertise in horology has been truly inspiring as I embark on my own watch collecting journey. I'm interested in building a watch collection with timepieces from different countries, focusing on affordability and the rich cultural aspects each piece represents. How about a video on building a watch collection with affordable pieces from different countries? Looking forward to more awesome content!

[@KabobHope]

I'll have to wait till I go to Japan to try one of these. It's a fair amount of money based on the premium price and the 18 mm lugs. It would require me to rethink my collection. I have a lot of watches that take 20 mm straps and a Citizen that takes 19 mm so that would mean reacquiring many of the same styles I like. For someone not married to their straps this may be a good watch.

[@jonboy8181]

That dials makes that watch. I’m gonna need to see some end links for before I spend that kinda money on that bracelet. The sapphire upgrade should only be the cost of the glass itself as it costs the same to put in mineral or sapphire.

[@nedflanders3769]

Shits all over Seiko but shouldn’t be more than $500. Good review as always.

[@miopera40]

Gold is almost $2700 guys a thousand dollars is the new hundred dollars, inflation folks.

[@rikdriscoll2160]

I love a dress watch and this one is a stunner! I agree with you that it looks vintage with that ivory dial with gold features. I think Kuoe have nailed it here. Thanks for another great review Kieron 👍

[@BobMarley-pm1xb]

I REALLY like this watch. Man, that crystal reminds me of the sapphire on my 2023 Tag Carrera (the blue one) which I love. It’s a bit more than this beauty but man….that curve over the bezel…wow! Fine vid as always John. Thanks

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

Gorgeous watch! They do have some really stern competition in that market though, especially if you're looking for a real value prospect

[@nateb9768]

I think that for the price it is pretty good, especially for the college grad who is seeking a nice watch to accompany them into the professional world. Not everyone can spend over $1K on a watch and Kuoe provides amazing value for the money. They provide affordable grail watches.

[@gavinthacher1111]

This watch is absolutely beautiful. Had my eye on it for a while so I'm hoping to get my hands on it someday

[@zinoelgato]

Absolutely love the retro look of this watch brand, I will definitely get one of two soon.

[@Joe_Biden915]

This is becoming a grail watch for me. I love the textured dial, and I am a HUGE fan of the 100m water resistance. Honestly, I could see this becoming my everyday watch, so I love the water resistance more. I'm concerned about it being too small on my 7 inch wrist. I think it would look brilliant with a navy strap. If this looked good on my wrist it could be a collection killer.

[@nikolaslarson6891]

From what I heard, they are very good, loads of understatement and refined aesthetics. A bit on the expensve side for a micro brand though.

[@burgerguyhi9897]

It is a beautiful watch. I was going to their store in Kyoto to pick up a watch however I had a chance to try it on in Osaka and thought the 35 mm was just a little bit too small for my wrist. However they do have a 38 mm that I'm excited to try on on my next trip to Kyoto.

[@TopTierTicker]

They do, recently released I believe. I'm sure that the 38mm version will suit a lot more people's tastes. I hope you enjoy your trip my friend 🙏

[@nikolastojanov8749]

How would you compare this to Baltic MR-01? That is the best affordable dress watch form the last few years. Is this new Kuoe a worthy contender?

[@TopTierTicker]

That's a great question. I think it is a worthy contender. It's hard to compete with the micro-rotor movement being a rarity in affordable watches, but spec for spec, and beauty for beauty, I think it competes. I think the Kuoe offers that bit more originality too

[@michaelwatkins7452]

I feel so many people miss the point of mineral crystals on these watches. They're inspired by vintage watches. Mineral crystals add the vintage feel. The distortions and the warmer light effect from the way plastic diffuses light. It isn't meant to take away from quality, but add to the vintage appeal. Its a conscious decision, not a money saver.

[@TopTierTicker]

I think that's being slightly too kind. I'd much rather see an actual vintage acrylic crystal. I just think that they're extremely flawed. They scratch... And aside from polishing them with abrasive, high effort methods, they're knackered.

[@salty5402]

Kuoe is making some insanely well built and aesthetically appealing watches. They remind me of Baltic in how strong they have come out the gate and built cache with the collector community.

[@TopTierTicker]

That's a good take. They are building up some good street cred aren't they... I like how Kuoe has quite a distinctive look. Small, pretty and warm colours. Love em!

[@nickhudd2011]

I bought one with the gold case and black dial. Incredible watch for the price.

[@maxinahunt8652]

I have the Old Smith 002 and love it!!!

[@TopTierTicker]

Great field watch 👌 enjoy my friend

[@sweetcorn1968]

It's a very elegant watch and would be greatly improved with the minor revisions you suggested. I'm new to your channel, blame Jason, but will definitely be sticking around. Great informative content well presented. Oh and my daughter has the same LED lamp.

[@igorstanisavljevic723]

for that mony I rather would buy Longines Conquest Heritage, usable ofc, but in great condition

[@ESUNintel]

The Conquest is pretty nice and can be found for around $800 or a bit less. I like it, adding to my list - thanks so much for sharing.

[@miopera40]

This one looks way more elegant though and better overall everywhere you look at both

[@thewholecut]

This looks really nice like you said the perfect dress watch. I would love to see you review the Royal Smith 90-008 I think that is my favourite from the Kuoe catalogue.

[@TopTierTicker]

I like all of em 😂 they can send me whicher model they like 👌

[@ForumWarrior-q8x]

Good case, nice dial, perfect classic size, but the movement is not that good. It would be nice to create a re issue on selita

[@SH4D0W2011]

It's really beautiful, especially on that leather strap.

[@bradl2636]

Hopefully they will drop an in house movement at some point. I’d consider it then.

[@TopTierTicker]

That'd be an extremely expensive process. Doesn't make much sense with Miyota making Japanese movements. Costs millions to produce an in-house calibre. But yeah, it would be cool.

[@kinslowrainer3982]

Nice review! Can I ask two questions, though? 1. How's the accuracy of your Miyota 9039 movement? 2. What flannel shirt are you wearing in this video? Thanks!

[@TopTierTicker]

Hello! Of course, This version is running at +9 seconds per day My flannel shirt is from boohoo man. I got it last year though so I'm not sure if it's still available 😆

[@kinslowrainer3982]

@@TopTierTickerThanks!

[@Keilikeramen]

I go see the shop in kyoto and the watch is nice but the size a bit too small even I'm small wrist also even knot shop not far from there. Maybe Japanese like small watch

[@darthgiggity7948]

While Kuoe watches look great and have great specs, I believe Orient still owns the budget Japanese dress watch category based solely on the fact that they produce their own movement. The only criticism I have on Orient is that they do not use sapphire crystal across all their dress watches. But hey, what Kuoe provides is an option. Seiko will never go back to selling inexpensive yet quality watches so seeing microbrands like Kuoe getting their well-deserved publicity is a good thing.

[@AnhBui-xz7mp]

Seiko has in-house movements. Those with J code is made for Japan domestic market. 700$ is still the range of Swiss microbrand : (

[@gestapo81]

Hi! in regard to the 128$ bracelet price...a bracelet for my hamilton khaki field is 200$.

[@miopera40]

The truth is you can double the price and still can't find a Swiss that comes close to what this watch offers. Domed saphire, lume, wr100 with screw down crown, clean dial, small size, switchable good leather straps, a proven reliable movement... a cool box to store it too plus a leather storage cover. By the way that CITIZEN MIYOTA-made Cal.9039 is very well tunned by Kuoe cause sitting on a box mine went only -3 in a day.

[@chadvasquez6541]

On their website, it lists the thickness as 10mm. I sent them a message and they said the thickness includes the crystal. Did you measure it as 11mm? Or did the site say something different when this video was uploaded?

[@TopTierTicker]

The thickness measures in at 11mm on my callipers... Maybe they're talking about the mineral glass version?

[@chadvasquez6541]

@@TopTierTicker thanks for letting me know! 10mm would have been really incredible (considering it includes the domed glass) for an automatic these days, but 11mm is still thin enough for me. I guess their Instagram marketing person didn’t do their research 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@austinzizzi1142]

It reminds me of the old oyster perpetuals from the 1950s

[@tk423b]

I would rather have plastic than mineral. Agree

[@Dunkelheit_Schwarz]

I love everything about this watch but the price :)

[@TopTierTicker]

I can see that. If this shipped with an acrylic crystal for $499 it would be a must buy, IMO. But with the pricing structure, it takes some consideration

[@Dunkelheit_Schwarz]

@@TopTierTicker I completely agree. To defend Kuoe, I think the reason why they didn’t go with an acrylic crystal is that it requires a different case construction. If I remember correctly, for this reason Lorier can’t offer a sapphire version of their watches. However, if you really want to go a for a vintage vibe and use this watch as a dress watch, hardlex should be fine as well. But it still hurts to pay $550 for a hardlex when even AliExpress watches have sapphire for much less money :)

[@TopTierTicker]

That's interesting to know. I'm going to do a bit of looking into this, just for fun 😆 Exactly, it's just the structure of it. I don't want to know that the sapphire costs an extra $130, just include it in the cost and be done with it 😂

[@HaonProductions]

Love the look and sizing of this, but both sapphire and the bracelet being an option, and the bracelet not even having a fitted end link, make this not seem like very good value for money.

[@darrylyee409]

I love the movement, style and look of Kuoe, but until they offer more than 35mm, there is no competition. I got to try one in Japan and even though I have small wrists, it still felt and looked too small. While there are many things better, the most important spec... case size... is where it loses to the Seiko by miles. I don't think you can make this claim until they offer something in the 38mm range.

[@TopTierTicker]

That's just preference though. I don't consider a 40mm watch a dress watch. It's farrrr to large. The 35mm is absolutely perfect for a watch of this style. Just my opinion 👍

[@darrylyee409]

@TopTierTicker I do agree dress watches should be smaller, but I think 37mm-38mm is perfect, not 35mm.

[@PPN462]

@@darrylyee409If you are looking for a Japanese micro-brand that goes into the 36-40mm range, Knot does it. Their design cues are a bit more modern though than Kuoe and the choice of straps, especially made in Japan, is overwhelmingly bigger.

[@jc.baptiste]

@@darrylyee409I prefer 35 too. We should also consider lug to lug distance and thickness, watch presence is more than just the dial diameter.

[@mickbrown9021]

Where can I get one ?

[@TopTierTicker]

It's currently on pre-order on the official Kuoe website. It's been so popular, it's currently sold out :)

[@Horizontalvertigo]

Their base models are very underwhelming in person, but these have a bit more design in them

[@pk1342]

It would be good for once if a KZbinr could praise a micro brand without unnecessarily rubbing Seikos name through the dirt for hits The cocktail time series are considerably cheaper than $700+ Seiko has watches priced in this range with sapphire crystal in the presage series, which also have 100m WR. And for circa $1000 MSRP (and $700 once you factor in routine discounts) you're looking at the sharp edge series, the new classic series and a plethora of brand new old stock watches which may have enamel dials, 4hz 6R2X movements and all have sapphire and 100m WR

[@Lawrence64]

Nice watches but to compare to Seiko is a bit of a stretch. Seiko makes their own movements. I see it as a one more option.

[@TopTierTicker]

I compare with the most popular from the genre to show the differences. This Kuoe is miles better in almost every way. Nothing wrong with the Seiko, fantastic watch. But this Kuoe is better (in my opinion, of course)

[@KMV007]

You need to look at a watch as a complete package, dial, hands, case, bracelet/ strap and not only at the movement. You can’t put a Ferrari engine in a Fiat.

[@Lawrence64]

@@TopTierTicker I see your point. I'm referring to the universe of Seiko in categories and horology. When you say better than Seiko, compared to what Seiko? Kuoe has a long road ahead and that doesn't take any qualities away from it, it is noticeable the quakity of their watches. They're just not representative of Seiko as a horology universe but they are definitely taking hints from it. Like ai said, one mor enice option. A win to all watch enthusiasts.

[@kyledriscollmusic]

idk I think the Presages just look better

[@briancolyer8483]

The watch looks fantastic, the 35mm rules it out for me personally....i do think they're really pushing the price though, at this price point there are numerous options out there....id say this is a heart over head purchase once you add on the crystal and bracelet....apart from squares on the dial i cant fault the watch at all....🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚

[@sachinhj9910]

Its a small watch. Most people can't like 35mm. 38mm is the standard

[@Hitngan]

Very nice

[@watchalot919]

To be honest I don't think Seiko is much of a benchmark

[@TopTierTicker]

It's the most popular, therefore the easiest to compare against. Especially from Japanese watch brands.

[@watchalot919]

@@TopTierTicker absolutely. Good review mate

[@Zotrax1946]

No. Imo🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Ben-bs4od]

This watch was $450. Now $699. Too much for what it is. It's too small and dainty. No day date. There's Dunlaing for $499. Even the Seiko 5 sports SRPB for $399 (on sale for $249) is just as nice. They need to make this watch dial bigger and lower the price. Would never pay $699 for it. Plus you have to pay $150 for the bracelet. That $850. Sorry, that's just ridiculous money and I could have a Seiko Presage Classic or Used Baby Snowflake Seiko for this money!!!

[@Make_SPQR_Great_Again]

Chiese parts assembled in Japan junk watch lmao Also it is a deadass Rolex Oyster Precision replica. Pretty pricy knockoff I'd say.

[@TopTierTicker]

I think it's unfair to call this watch a knockoff because of the hands and a couple of indices. Near enough every watch in the world has Chinese parts. Especially microbrands. Calling this a 'junk watch' is ridiculous

[@tissapathiratna7761]

How can ot be better than Seiko with Seiko movement 😂

[@TopTierTicker]

It's got a Miyota movement mate. These aren't made by Seiko.

[@turbyoulance]

No Appeal to me whatsoever to be honest.

[@AvicSubfusca]

Definitely not at that price.

[@TopTierTicker]

That's fair enough! It'd be boring if we all liked the same watches. Thanks for watching

[@erdi9286]

Ohh no

[@jasperwinehouse9456]

Spoken like a Timex man

[@txsics3916]

Good to know. No need to tell us.

[@wzk921109]

Not buy, seiko new cocktail is better.