My Own Watch | Kazumi Uejyo's Beloved Timepiece

The 6th Installment | Kazumi Kurigami x Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar

A Simple, Unremarkable, Fine Watch

This series introduces the favorite timepieces of creators active in various fields. In this sixth installment, we feature photographer Kazumi Kurigami. During a conversation with Tomooki Matsuda, President of John Lobb Japan, at the John Lobb Marunouchi store, the topic shifted from shoes to watches. Here's the story behind the watch that caught our attention.John LobbThe topic shifted from shoes to watches. Here's the story behind the watch that caught our attention.

Text by OPENERSPhoto by JAMANDFIX

An Audemars Piguet So Captivating It Inspires Foreign Friends

“I considered wearing my usual Rolex today, but it felt too bulky for a conversation with Mr. Matsuda, so I decided to go with something more delicate and changed into this,” Kurigami explained.

“It’s a fine watch, isn’t it?” she said, showing me her Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar. “I bought it in my late thirties at ‘Seibu Pisa’ located in the basement of the Tokyo Prince Hotel. It was a very expensive purchase, but I like it because it’s simple and unremarkable.”

“When I wore this on a location shoot overseas, an American man asked me what watch it was. Twenty years later, he became the owner of a production company with branches worldwide, and he told me he worked hard because he wanted that KURIGAMI watch. Apparently, this watch had quite an allure.”

Kurigami is fond of its weight, in addition to its functions like the moon phase and its design. “I’ve had it serviced about three or four times and I cherish it, but I only wear it when I feel like it, so I don’t always set the date and time… but that’s okay.”

The story about the boots made with John Lobb’s “By Request” ishere.

Kazumi Kurigami
Born in Hokkaido in 1936. Graduated from Tokyo College of Photography in 1961. Began working as a freelance photographer in 1965, focusing on advertising photography. Began holding solo exhibitions in 1975. Has also produced photo collections for numerous celebrities, including Sadao Watanabe, Shin-nosuke Ichikawa, and Hiromi Nagasaku, as well as CD jackets. Boasts an impressive list of awards, starting with the ACC Award in 1970. Released her directorial debut film, 'Gelatin Silver Love,' in March 2009, which received significant acclaim.