I am very excited to share the story and inspiration behind my KATABAMI Watch with you.
Although I am not a writer and my English skills are limited, I want to share my thoughts and stories in my own words. Please bear with me with any errors in writing or grammar.
1, CREATION WAS ALREADY IN MY HEART WHEN I WAS 3 YEARS OLD CHILD
2, GROW UP WITH HISTRY
3, VINTAGE WATCH MARKET
4, NEED TO MAKE IT BY MYSELF
5, JAPAN TO THE WORLD
1, CREATION WAS ALREADY IN MY HEART WHEN I WAS 3 YEARS OLD CHILD
Talking about my childhood, there is much I remember when I was child however, I still remember that I used to surprise my parents often in both good & bad.. because I alway tried to disassemble anything at home. Mechanical toy from Disney, Speaker, and of course Watches.I tried to open the watch but of course I couldn’t do it when I was 10 years old or some. So, I ripped the crown out... it’s a good memory now.
When I was about 10 or 12, my mother bought me a vintage bronze watch. I loved the shape of the case and the fact that it was made of bronze. But I didn’t like the dial at all. Somehow, though, I found a dial of the same size in my junk collection. Carefully, I managed to open the watch and fit the new dial perfectly! I think that was my very first experience “making” a watch, and it’s when I discovered my passion for it.
One time, I wanted to touch TV on the cabinet so badly but it was placed on higher place than my height. I came up with idea to make stairs with drawer and I did, and climbed. And what happened? TV fell off from the top of the cabinet to my head. I still have wounds from this accident. This is also another good memory of mine.
After few years later, I opened the Braun tube TV. As you know, which is suicidal. I will talk about it someday, maybe.
Anyway, I was a child who is always curious about "how it works" and "how to make it". Mechanism & Inside of it. This massive curiosity from childhood definitely made the man I am now.
If I go through back my memory, I remember my parents were not really supportive about it however I gradually realised that it was their way to raise me not to make a spoiled child. In fact, this experience made me more creative.
I appreciate the way they raised me now and I always tell them how much I’m happy with the man I am.
When I was 14 or 15, one of the evolutionary memorable thing happened to me.
I bought one junk broken headphones for €50 & fixed it by myself. And it was sold for €200!! I could buy more junks with the money I earned and could enjoy fixing & watching mechanism inside more. Back then, it was one of my hobbies and this hobby is still going on after many years passed.
Recently I got broken €1,000 Ergohuman office chair for free and managed to fix it by myself. Of course, I was happy with the fact that I saved the money, but also I realised something important.
“Achievement” is the key of my joy. Therefore, I am enjoying the process of making and also to see the finished watches.
2, GROW UP WITH HISTRY
Have you ever heard of Japan as one of the oldest countries in the world? Also one of the longest histories of loyal family? And also, there are one of the oldest companies in the world, too. There are over 10 companies which have more than 1,000 years of history.
This means, History & Tradition are everywhere in Japan. Especially buildings. But also, there are skyscrapers like the one in New York City. I grew up with both Historical side and Modern side.
I can say I have seen many historic things through my life. My grandparents have fine taste and they used to collect anything beautiful.. and I was surrounded by those fine things and used to play with vintage goods not knowing back then. I know how real vintage looks like by heart. This experience is definitely one of the most important things for making vintage process.
3, VINTAGE WATCH MARKET
I always wanted to own vintage watches. Those look amazing and unique. There are no any two the same in the world. They make watches with high quality materials & high standards. That facts make them better in vintage. Ordinary brand's watches cannot be like R vintage because of that in my opinion.
HOWEVER, those are extremely expensive. Also I believe there is too much meaning for speculative & investment actions. That is the reason why I cannot purely enjoy it as "watch".
I would not hesitate to pay for what it worth and convincing as value of itself. However, in my opinion, I believe R vintage market is now doesn’t match the price to actual value.
4, NEED TO MAKE IT BY MYSELF
What I love of vintage is looks and feel. It’s soft and texture I way better than brand new. Looks cool and warm. And also shape and design is unique. But what’s bad thing of vintage, is ex-owner and sanitary conditions. It’s bothering me always.
I love vintage. I always go vintage or thrift shop when I visit new city and every week in here Amsterdam. Also it’s my hobby too. I used to went there with my mother too when I was child. Vintage looks so good on my eye from childhood. But I didn’t have much. Why? Because it’s not mine. Those spent years and years with ex-owner and left there for while. Sounds sad and I kinda believe that there is something spiritual stuffs.
And of course sanitary conditions too. Things became vintage looks by human sweat and dead skins. I love yellowing and patina as vintage but I want my white shirts as bright white as possible. It’s hard to explain… I love vintage of tasteful appearance and feel comfortable. BUT I don’t prefer as spiritually and sanitary.
So I’m thinking I should make it from brand new parts simply redone vintage process. Then that’s became my standard. I always think about what’s new tool or technique make my vintage skill more beautiful. Then I make watch and bag brand new and make it vintage aging by my hand too. Sounds weird but this is my crafts and art. Not like factory made products.
And military things too. I think used as military equipment is the hardest environment for the process of vintage aging. Rain and throw away is normal things for military bags but no watch or denim are treated like that. And also always related to war and violence. So it’s just sad. So I use military looks fabric and inspiration from them. For antithesis for war too. I’m Japanese even I love and live in Amsterdam. I have special feelings for war
This is the reason why I started to make it by myself. I am the only one who can make me convinced. And I was sure I can make the best vintage mod watches in the world. Because of my personality, my experience and everything I got through in my life which I mentioned above.
5, JAPAN TO THE WORLD
Including the time before moving to here in Amsterdam, I’ve been making watches for around 7 years & sold few hundreds of watches.
I used to sell only in Japan before but I created Instagram account and go for worldwide after moved to Amsterdam from Tokyo.
And finally I could make this website.
While building this website, I had many deep conversations with myself "What I really want to do" "What I can do"…
I’m doing my business alone and it is not easy to make this out without any help but it was great moments, anything is great experience for me.
I am really grateful and fulfilled with all compliments from all over the world. As Craftsman and as an Artist.
Please feel those my craftsmanship, passion and art.
I will never let you down with my creations. As Japanese craftsmanship. My logo "Katabami" is my family crest for showing my confidence & determination. Uncompromising every details.
I am not perfect but promise you not afraid of trying new things and experiment and improve my creation everyday.
Trust me, it’s way better in person.
