Nexus
"The Nexus is built on the belief that good design does not announce itself.
It settles. Inspired by Japanese modernism and early architectural experimentation,
the watch is shaped by proportion, light, and restraint rather than trend or spectacle.
Its layered case architecture creates depth without weight, presence without noise. Over
time, it reveals more to those who live with it. This is not a watch
meant to impress quickly, but one that stays."
Hitori’s Modular Nexus Form
What distinguishes the Nexus is a revolutionary case architecture, conceived as an entirely new direction for Hitori. Inspired by Rem Koolhaas’s influential apartment block at Nexus World in Fukuoka, this two-piece modular case underwent a year of development, culminating in a design that wears thin yet communicates profound architectural strength. Visually, the case balances modernist geometry with ergonomic flow; downward curving lugs follow the natural line of the wrist, while sculptural slots and a recessed groove beneath the bezel create layered depth. From every angle, the case reveals sharp transitions and a rhythm of surfaces that lend the watch a sculptural presence, shifting it from a mere instrument of time to a piece of wearable architecture. As Hitori explains, the design adds depth from every viewpoint, inviting the wearer to rediscover the watch continuously.
This philosophy is embodied by its functional modularity. The lugs are built as separable components, a choice that significantly improves finishing precision and enhances long-term serviceability. An internal L-clamp system, secured by the screw-down case back, unifies the structure, guaranteeing rigidity, consistent water resistance, and reliability for daily wear or open water. This modularity enhances both aesthetics and function: separated lugs allow sharper demarcation between polished and satin surfaces, structurally increase shock absorption, and, in the rare instance of damage, allow independent replacement, extending the watch's lifespan. This robust yet elegant system also anticipates future variants, allowing for new materials and profiles without redesigning the entire case, ensuring the Nexus remains a forward-looking platform.
The crown, called Tokudai Daiya for its oversized diamond-cut grooves, provides both tactile assurance and visual weight. The detachable case structure also grants access to surfaces often left unfinished. Distortion-free polished planes contrast with sharply brushed sections, while even the inner lugs and underside of the mid-case are completed to the same standard. More than seven distinct stages of polishing are underrtaken, all executed by hand by veteran craftsmen.
39.5mm
Diameter
47.8mm
Lug-to-lug
10.6mm
Thickness
100m
Water Resistance
Reflections of Yanagawa, the “Venice of Kyushu”
To ensure perfect legibility, the Nexus features a flat sapphire crystal with an inner anti-reflective coating, guaranteeing effortless reading at a glance. Underneath, Hitori’s nature-inspired philosophy comes through clearly in the dial, its surface taking after the calm waters of the Yanagawa Canals in Fukuoka. This flowing texture echoes the quiet rhythm of a donkobune drifting past old wooden buildings, grounding the watch in tranquil beauty. Finished with a soft satin sheen, the elegant dial shifts gently under light, ensuring its surface is never flat, but always alive. Anchoring this textured tableau is the applied "Hitori" logo at 12 o’clock, balanced by the subtle blue "NEXUS // AUTOMATIC" text at 6, exploring space, light, and their quiet interaction with the natural world.
The intricate details of the dial reveal themselves gradually, starting with the applied hour markers—first seen in the Somei Yoshino collection but now refined to be sharper and more deliberate, a testament to Hitori’s mastery of quality. These crisp, high-precision indices reflect light with striking clarity, subtly shifting hues as they catch the light. Mirror-polished on the inner faces and sidewalls, they create a dynamic contrast with the soft satin finishing on the remaining surfaces, ensuring depth from every angle. This careful approach is carried through every element: the polished metal frame around the date window at 3 o’clock is paired with a shortened hour marker to maintain visual balance, and each hand is precisely sized to align perfectly with the markers and minute track. The result is a clear, steady reading of time—simple, deliberate, and calm—where form, function, and feeling come together in quiet harmony.
To ensure perfect legibility, the Nexus features a flat sapphire crystal with an inner anti-reflective coating, guaranteeing effortless reading at a glance. Underneath, Hitori’s nature-inspired philosophy comes through clearly in the dial, its surface taking after the calm waters of the Yanagawa Canals in Fukuoka. This flowing texture echoes the quiet rhythm of a donkobune drifting past old wooden buildings, grounding the watch in tranquil beauty. Finished with a soft satin sheen, the elegant dial shifts gently under light, ensuring its surface is never flat, but always alive. Anchoring this textured tableau is the applied "Hitori" logo at 12 o’clock, balanced by the subtle blue "NEXUS // AUTOMATIC" text at 6, exploring space, light, and their quiet interaction with the natural world.
The intricate details of the dial reveal themselves gradually, starting with the applied hour markers—first seen in the Somei Yoshino collection but now refined to be sharper and more deliberate, a testament to Hitori’s mastery of quality. These crisp, high-precision indices reflect light with striking clarity, subtly shifting hues as they catch the light. Mirror-polished on the inner faces and sidewalls, they create a dynamic contrast with the soft satin finishing on the remaining surfaces, ensuring depth from every angle. This careful approach is carried through every element: the polished metal frame around the date window at 3 o’clock is paired with a shortened hour marker to maintain visual balance, and each hand is precisely sized to align perfectly with the markers and minute track. The result is a clear, steady reading of time—simple, deliberate, and calm—where form, function, and feeling come together in quiet harmony.
Bold “Sashi Yari” hands, inspired by the bamboo leaf-shaped blades of traditional Japan, the faceted hands carry a quiet tension in their symmetry and taper. Each is finished by hands, with contrasting surfaces—mirror on one half, matte on the other—yielding a distortion-free legibility wrapped in minimalist elegance. Cutouts at the tips or tails add both lightness and intention, allowing the hands to move in concert with the dial, perfectly aligned with each marker in quiet precision.Owing to their intricate finishing, every hand is meticulously polished by skilled craftsmen, each stroke demanding dexterity and patience to achieve perfection.
The Quiet Heart Within,
Powered by a True Japanese Movement
Turn the watch over, and the Nexus offers more than just specifications. The screw-down case-back features a custom sapphire crystal, tinted with a subtle pinkish-red anti-reflective coating—a small but deliberate detail that lends the watch a quiet character. Through it, you observe the heart of the timepiece: the Japanese-made Miyota 9015. This slim, premium automatic movement has earned a strong following among enthusiasts for its reliability and performance, with specifications that easily rival Swiss equivalents. Built entirely in Japan at Miyota's modern facilities, the 11.5-ligne movement runs at 28,800 beats per hour (4Hz) with 24 jewels, offering manual winding, hacking seconds, and a reliable 41-hour power reserve—all easily operated via the screw-down crown at 3 o’clock.
What truly distinguishes the case-back view is the open-worked winding rotor. Custom-crafted in steel by Hitori, the rotor is finished with their Japanese logo and given a slightly different, individualized tone, ensuring no two look exactly alike—a thoughtful gesture that adds a layer of unique individuality to every piece. On every rotor, you will also find a short, engraved poetic phrase: 「流れるままに」 (nagareru mama ni), which translates to “as it flows.” This quiet, philosophical line is a nod to taking things as they come and living in the present. Like the watch itself, this detail is not flashy, but it carries a certain enduring calm that remains with the wearer, embodying Hitori’s unique perspective on time and existence.
Introducing the Karumo Bracelet
Each Nexus is fitted with the 20mm multi-link Karumo bracelet, a design inspired by the Karuta gote, the tile-like armored sleeves of the samurai. This structure is architectural in profile, referencing protection yet wearing with a softness that feels almost organic, balancing tradition with modern restraint. It tapers meticulously to a compact clasp embossed with "ひとり" (Hitori), a deliberate detail reworked to secure the Karumo with precision. Every petite screw-down link allows for exact sizing on the wrist, reflecting Hitori’s intent to redefine what a proper bracelet should be: comfortable, elegant without being loud, and drawing from a quietly influential traditional culture.
This vision is realized through careful execution and finishing. Each link is shaped with precise slopes and joined using integrated techniques that introduce thoughtful negative space. The screwed links receive the same meticulous finishing as the watch case, giving the bracelet a substantial yet never-heavy presence. The Karumo’s refinement is underscored by a clasp that engages with clean, precise action, achieving a balance of solidity and fluid motion on the wrist. Like the samurai armor that inspired it, the bracelet offers assurance and strength, embodying the restraint and quiet sophistication that defines the Nexus as a complete, disciplined system.
Specially created for Hitori, the Nexus arrives with an additional leather strap crafted in Augsburg, Germany. Each 20mm band is handmade with vintage double-stitch detailing, and thanks to its untreated finish, it will develop a rich patina as it ages naturally on the wrist.
Why does the Nexus feel thinner than it looks?
Because the case is layered rather than stacked. Visual depth is created through recessed planes instead of added height.
Is the Nexus meant to be a statement piece?
No. It is designed to settle into daily wear and reveal itself over time.
Who is the Nexus for?
Collectors who already own many watches and are drawn to calm design rather than immediate impact.
Does it suit casual or formal wear?
The Nexus is intentionally neutral. It adapts rather than dominates.
What makes the Nexus different from other Hitori models?
It is the most architectural expression in the collection, focused on structure, proportion, and restraint.
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