I’ve been keeping an eye on Kiwame Tokyo since that crazy cool field watch they announced recently. It felt like they were trying to figure out what a modern Japanese microbrand could look like without overexplaining it. This new MUNE Series feels like a continuation of that idea, but also a bit of a reset for them. I might love this model even more than the last one.
The brand is introducing two new models, the MUNE Usuki and MUNE Kurotsuki, both built on the same platform as their earlier Kurotsuki and Usuki releases. If you followed the IWAO Field series from last year, that one leaned more obviously into tool-watch territory. Here, they’re pulling things back toward something more restrained, even if they’re still calling it a field watch. I’m not entirely convinced that label fits, but I get what they’re aiming for.
The case hasn’t changed, which is probably the right call. At 38mm wide and 9.5mm thick, it sits in that range that just works for most wrists without trying too hard. There’s a mix of brushed and polished surfaces, a stepped bezel, and enough water resistance at 100 meters to make it usable beyond desk duty. It’s the kind of case that doesn’t demand attention, but you notice the proportions after a few moments. That balance between dress and tool is still doing most of the work here.
Where things shift is on the dial, and this is where Kiwame tends to show a bit more personality. Both versions use lacquered dials, with the Usuki leaning into a warmer ivory tone and the Kurotsuki offering a deeper black with more contrast. The applied Arabic numerals feel familiar at first glance, but they’re slightly idiosyncratic in a way that keeps them from drifting into homage territory.
The “mune” detail at 12 o’clock is the real focal point, referencing the ridge of a traditional Japanese roof. It’s subtle, but once you see it, it anchors the entire dial. The seconds hand continues that architectural theme with a lume detail inspired by the Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa. I’ll admit, this is the kind of design storytelling that can feel forced if it’s overdone, but here it stays just restrained enough to work.
Inside, nothing new. The Miyota 9039 is doing what it usually does, running at 4Hz with about 42 hours of power reserve. It’s a familiar choice at this price point, and probably the reason the watch lands at $690. I don’t think anyone is coming to this watch for movement novelty, but it keeps the barrier to entry reasonable and the expectations grounded.
On the wrist, I imagine this wears closer to a dress piece that doesn’t mind getting bumped around a bit. The calf leather strap with quick-release spring bars makes it easy to swap, and honestly, this feels like a watch that could change character pretty quickly depending on what you put it on.
I keep coming back to the idea that Kiwame Tokyo is still defining its lane. There’s a clear mix of influences here, from Calatrava-style restraint to small architectural nods that tie it back to Tokyo. I don’t know if the “field watch” label helps or hurts that identity, but the watch itself feels more considered than that category suggests.
At $690, it sits in a space that’s getting crowded, especially with microbrands trying to stand out through either specs or storytelling. Kiwame seems to be leaning into the latter, but with a lighter touch than most.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.