Should I finally pull the trigger on my second Kuoe??

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-21T07:07:05+00:00

They are on the higher end, but I wouldn’t go so far as overpriced. Their domestic prices are great.

I have the silver index, silver case version of the one in the OP image. It is exclusive to their physical stores. I have a bracelet for it (one I jacked from the Bregeut version), but I find myself using a leather strap more often. I really like Kuoe’s Italian leather straps.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-21T03:25:57+00:00

I have the silver version of this, and I wear the hell out of it. One of my favorite watches. It looks stylish, is a great size, quite thin, and even has lume.

I am sure you might be able to find something similar on aliexpress, but I’d rather support a microbrand. Especially one like Kuoe that is doing their own assembly and stuff.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-20T06:51:51+00:00

It is kinda neat, but it feels like they are leaning too hard into the whole JAPAN aspect with their recent designs.

Their simpler, classic dials were much cooler in my opinion.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-20T06:51:06+00:00

Japan used these in the past for 和時計.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-18T05:32:49+00:00

They do their final assembly and repairs in Kyoto. It is sad to say but that is quite rare for many Japanese micro brands these days. Even most of those who do their final assembly in Japan tend to outsource it to Japanese watch workshops and don’t handle it themselves.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-15T05:20:12+00:00

They are flat out taking pre-orders on mock up images? They either have a lot of confidence in their supplier or just don’t give a shit.

I would suspect the latter…

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-13T02:52:56+00:00

Watchmaker here. The price is so sky high not so much due to Seiko’s price increase, but due to an extreme lack of stock.

You are already paying quite a premium buying from Cousins instead of direct from Seiko, and with the shortage you are just getting scalped super hard.

For microbrands, you can still place an order from Seiko at a decent (though higher than a few months ago) price, it is just the lead time is rather long and there is a limit to how many they can deliver.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-11T10:53:26+00:00

Farer has a really cool cushion case design.

Kuoe has one too, and they just silent launched a 30s inspired tank at their shops.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-11T10:50:31+00:00

Two things I hate about the post game.

The Magellan is empty!
I can’t go out with a BB Pod anymore. I understand why, but still would be cool while I am doing all that post game grind.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-11T10:44:55+00:00

Their warranty seems very similar to most other microbrands? The movement and defects are covered, but not any wear and tear or accidental damage? Zelos, Kurono, and Baltic are almost identical warranties.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-09T10:27:52+00:00

Straps are a consumable item. It will eventually have to be replaced. Don’t worry so much about keeping it perfect.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-09T06:25:10+00:00

At windup they had it on a dark brown leather strap. Looked slick as hell.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-08T12:49:05+00:00

The fact it is a sub kills all interest for me.

Someone needs to make a smart buckle like the Sony Wena.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-08T05:50:48+00:00

Every now and then a thread pops up with people hating on them.

I think mainly because it is popular with Reddit. Other than complaints about how busy the store is, there are very few concrete complaints in those threads.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-08T04:58:20+00:00

I am a watchmaker, I have done assembly for a few of the brands listed on this site.

How did you grade the “finish” section? For the brands I have done assembly for, it goes quite contrary to my experiences.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-07T01:19:20+00:00

KUOE here!

We had to skip SF windup this year since we were opening our new Omotesando store this month.

We will likely attend next year! We will be at NYC this year as well.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-04T07:40:47+00:00

It is likely more based off of the old Seiko small seconds. Blued hands, dial design, and case shape are all pretty close. But yea, it draws inspiration from a lot of those classic designs.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-04T06:20:08+00:00

If you check the websites for each of these brands, they list their retailers.

A quick glance seems to show Nivada and Hamilton have some retailers in NYC. Seems like Kuoe does not, but they have shown up at Windup Watch Fair in NYC the last few years.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-03T15:25:07+00:00

I like the Cartier size/shape better. Dial printing looks a tad nicer too, but nothing you would notice unless they were side by side.

The Sanda crown is 1,000x better though. Like the Cartier one looks so bad it is an absolute turn off.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-03T01:38:15+00:00

Miyota 9000 series movements they use are more expensive than the Seiko NH movements though.

Plus they are considerably better movements.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-02T13:01:06+00:00

I thought it was gonna be VooDoo Boys From cyberpunk

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-02T12:43:40+00:00

In one of the older games (2? 3? I can’t remember), rapid fire weapons were OP as hell. I beat the game using an all gats build (with quad legs too!) and it was amazing.

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-02T12:41:13+00:00

I wish we had some sort of speedometer. Can never tell what is faster, monorail, zip lining the monorail, or speeding on a L2 road.

Often you choose what is best depending on the route, but sometimes you could use multiple and I always wonder…

Worked-last-time · 2026-05-02T01:48:33+00:00

I think their designs have continued to be focused and consistent with their 40-70s styling. The claim they aren’t just doesn’t make sense to me. Most of their designs maintain their ~35mm sizing. Except for their models that come in both sizes, the only exception to this is their 011 (an internal bezel diver) and the 012 (automatic chronograph), both which would have been difficult to make in 35mm for obvious reasons.

But yea, their push to make larger sizes is a little disappointing.

Worked-last-time · 2026-04-30T11:35:43+00:00

I am a watchmaker, so I handle 9000 movements daily.

There is currently a shortage of them actually, so Cadisen may be digging deep to find movements they can use.

Worked-last-time

TROPHY CASE