Lottery Alert: Masa’s Pastime "Nagi" and "Sohkoku" 2025–26 Production Run
Entirely handmade in Tokyo, featuring in-house movement crafted using traditional watchmaking techniques. With just 10 pieces available per model, allocation will be determined by lottery in May.
May 2024 marked a significant milestone in the history of Japanese independent watchmaking with the release of an in-house movement by Masa’s Pastime.
All movement components, except for the mainsprings, hairsprings, and rubies, were crafted entirely by the Tokyo-based watch company. Two models, Nagi and Sohkoku, were introduced, with 10 pieces planned for each during the 2024–2025 production cycle. A lottery was held in the same month, and all pieces quickly sold out — perhaps the fairest way to determine allocation.
If you missed the news last year, here’s your chance once again. Masa’s Pastime will hold another lottery in May 2025, offering 10 pieces of each model just like before. No need to rush — there’s still plenty of time to participate if you decide to.
So sit back, relax, and let me share the results of my research with you.
A Brief History of Masa’s Pastime
Mr. Masa Nakajima went to the United States as a student and lived in Los Angeles during his twenties.He was a scuba diver and enjoyed life under the sunny skies of Southern California. By chance, he became a helper to a watch dealer who purchased antique pocket watches in the U.S. and resold them to collectors in Japan.
After returning to Japan, Masa decided to pursue the trade full-time by establishing a company in 1990 called Masa’s Junkyard in his hometown just outside Tokyo. Business was good, but there was one major problem: many skilled watch repairmen were aging and soon retired. With no solution in sight, Masa realized he would have to learn watch repair himself. That was how he became a watchmaker — by teaching himself.
In addition to restoring antique pocket watches and wristwatches, Masa developed a new service: creating wristwatches using antique pocket watch movements. Masa hired more people and the team gained experience in both dial production using engraving and guilloché techniques and the manufacturing of cases using modern machining equipment.
These customized timepieces often featured newly made dials and cases crafted by Masa’s shop. Masa’s excellent English skills also helped him build a global clientele.
As more talented watchmakers joined the team, Masa relocated the workshop to its current location in Kichijoji, closer to central Tokyo. The company was also renamed from Masa’s Junkyard to Masa’s Pastime.
In-house Movement Development: 2013 to 2024
Many of today’s top independent watchmakers began by restoring antique pocket watches and wristwatches. These experiences deepened their understanding of traditional movement construction and taught them various techniques for dial and case making. Naturally, the next step was to create their own watches.
Masa followed a similar path. The first steps toward realizing the dream of an in-house movement began in 2013. Masa’s vision was clear: the movement had to be fully made in-house, with the exception of rubies and springs. This meant the new caliber would not be based on any existing standard movement, but built entirely from the ground up—a feat still quite rare even in the world of independent watchmaking.
In addition, Masa aimed to build a movement that would last for many years and decades to come. His emphasis on robustness ensured that both the components and the watch as a while would not be fragile and also easily repairable.
With extensive experience repairing old watches, Masa and his team knew firsthand which components were most prone to wear and failure. They developed specific methods to enhance the durability and working life of these parts.
Because of these ambitious goals — or “stubbornness,” as Masa himself called it — the movement’s development was only completed in 2024. What an impressive and remarkable achievement!
Caliber MP1 Specifications
Manual wind
30mm x 5mm
18,000 beat/hour
30 hour power reserve
19-jewel nickel movement
Gold gear train
Overcoiled alloy hairspring
K18 masselotte(×3) and brass timing screws (×6) on beryllium copper balance wheel
A Meeting with Philippe Dufour
The story of Masa’s Pastime and its new movement would not be complete without mentioning a meeting with Philippe Dufour, the legendary Swiss master watchmaker. In 2015, during a visit to Japan, a watch collector and client of Masa arranged for Dufour to visit Masa’s workshop.
It was a memorable meeting between two great horological minds, covering a wide range of topics. Masa then showed Dufour the prototype and design drawings of the movement under development. Dufour sat quietly for a while, movement in hand, carefully studying the blueprints. He flipped through the thick stack of specification sheets, examining details around the barrel, pallet fork, and balance wheel.
"This is good. If you complete it according to these specifications, it will absolutely become a wonderful watch. But... I have just one request. Whether it’s the dial or the finishing on the plates, I think it would be even better if you added a uniquely Tokyo, or Japanese, flavor. Something Switzerland doesn’t have."
Masa nodded without hesitation. In fact, he had been thinking the same thing for some time.
Sure enough, the influence of that magical encounter almost ten years ago is now reflected in the new models by Masa’s Pastime.
Model “Nagi” - the Calmness of the Sea
The first model powered by the MP1 movement is named Nagi, meaning the calmness of the sea — especially after rough winds and waves. The dial is crafted from sterling silver with a curved surface and finished in green gold. Polished steel marine hands are paired with applied numerals at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock, along with spherical hour and minute markers. A recessed seconds subdial sits below, adorned with a delicate thin seconds hand.
What emerges is a smooth and tranquil dial surface, with the seconds hand as the only moving part — quietly revealing a beating heart beneath the calm. It is a beautiful dial to lose yourself in, inviting you to drift into the passage of time.
There are two case options: K18 white gold or stainless steel. The case measures 37.5 mm in diameter, 10.0 mm in thickness, with a lug width of 19 mm. A green crocodile leather strap with a buckle in the matching metal completes the watch.
Model “Sohkoku” - Deep, Dark Blue of the Crow
The higher-end model, Sohkoku, is named for its deep, dark blue dial, created using the ancient Japanese technique of blackening shakudō, evoking the color of a crow. Master engraver Kei Tsujimoto of Masa’s Pastime painstakingly revived this traditional craft, decorating the dial with an exquisite hemp leaf motif.
Floating above this mesmerizing backdrop are three uniquely designed pink gold hands, crafted with a level of complexity rarely seen in watchmaking. The numerals are hand-engraved in a vintage font and finished with gold paint.
Turning the watch over, the highly decorated balance cock immediately stands out, reflecting dazzling light. It is hand-engraved by Master Kei with a hemp leaf motif, echoing the same beautiful pattern found on the dial. Philippe Dufour’s sincere wish has been fulfilled!
There are two case options: solid 18K pink gold, or a combination of a shakudō case body with an 18K pink gold bezel, case back, crown, and lugs. The case measures 38 mm in diameter, 10.0 mm in thickness, and has a 20 mm lug width. A dark blue crocodile leather strap with an 18K pink gold buckle is offered with this watch.
Allocation by Lottery and Prices
For the 2025–26 production cycle, only 10 pieces each of Nagi and Sohkoku will be made. The lottery will be conducted toward the end of May 2025. Winners will be required to pay a 50% down payment shortly after notification, with the remaining balance due approximately 12 months later when the watches are ready for delivery.
The prices, converted to USD and excluding any taxes, are listed below:
Prices:
Nagi in stainless steel: $60,000
Nagi in white gold: $73,000
Sohkoku in pink gold: $84,000
Sohkoku in a combination of shakudō (red copper) and 18K pink gold: $80,000
To enter the lottery, please fill out the Inquiry Form at the end of the Masa & Co. MP Series page. Be sure to specify the model you wish to order. Best of luck if you decide to participate!
Summary
I have been following Masa’s Pastime’s Instagram account for over a year now, and I’ve truly enjoyed watching their meticulous, artisanal work — building each component by hand, performing delicate engraving under a microscope, and creating stunning dials and hands. All of the pictures in this article are sourced from their website and Instagram account. I look forward to the day when I can examine one of their timepieces in person.
Masa’s journey in independent watchmaking, together with his exceptionally talented team, stands on par with the finest indie brands from Switzerland. The infusion of Japanese elements into timepieces crafted with traditional Swiss watchmaking heritage makes these creations especially captivating. After all, Masa has clearly taken Philippe Dufour’s advice to heart.
Nagi and Sohkoku, fully handmade from dial and case to movement, are rare treasures seldom seen today. Masa’s Pastime has scaled back its custom work based on pocket watch movements to focus fully on the creation of the new MP Series. I trust we will be seeing much more of their artisanal craftsmanship in the booming world of independent watchmaking.