Yosuke Sekiguchi Primevère

This Primevère is the first act from Japanese-born, Swiss-based independent Yosuke Sekiguchi. A name most won’t be familiar with, Sekiguchi moved to France at 23 then Switzerland, studying at La Joux-Perret then Claret. In 2020, he stepped out on his own with this. He sees most Japanese watchmaking as ‘too focused on precision, less accepting of artfulness’. His first pocket watch was a detent escapement tourbillon, from scratch. The came this, a prototype which capture the imagination of the few who study this space closely.

The photography for images of this Find are of an example photographed by Hodinkee and not for sale now. The example currently on market is linked below. This is the prototype and both watches are the exact same specification. 

Sekiguchi reverse engineered a 1871 Jules Jürgensen pocket watch for ébauche inspiration, made almost entirely with traditional techniques. The bridges are cut with a saw and hand decorated. Arched and rounded, its bridges are decidedly late 19^th century. Yet, the dramatically elongated regulator index is entirely black-polished and rounded. Pivots for the escape wheel and pallet lever are gold caps, reinforced by a single gold chaton. The Omega shaped winding click spring is wild. He even cuts wheel teeth and files pivots under a microscope. And then we get to the dial which is grand feu enamel. The handset is hand made using a saw and file to create this intricate spade shape.

Mr. Sekiguchi’s work is clearly a result of a dedicated worth ethic and passion. He is by all accounts a restrained and humble man who is committed to his craft. He loves antique watches, a collector of over 500 calibres, and that shows in his style. However, modernity is not lost in little touches like the hidden incabloc regulator. He is pragmatic where it matters. For example, Sekiguchi designed the 39.5mm case, but had Stila SA manufacture it. These are simply beautiful watches from a humble, hardworking, and passionate watchmaker. Sekiguchi makes about 20 watches per year, currently priced near 80K CHF. That said, this will be its auction and secondary market debut, appearing in the Decade One sale. Certainly a watchmaker worth being excited about.

This will be the first example to sell in history. While the above picture watch is the prototype, the actual watch on offer is precisely the same albeit perhaps very slightly better finishing. It comes to auction in the Decade One sale.