tsuka Lotec’s undisputedly nostalgic watches, which range from around USD 2,000 to 2,800, bear a distinct feeling of archaic tools and gauges. They could, perhaps, be summed up with two words: analogue touch.

On his website, founder and designer Jiro Katayama states he is inspired by mid-century atmospheric objects made from processed steel plates assembled with screws, rather than single-piece resin objects – and the analogue feel of turning a knob or flipping a lever, rather than operating on a touchscreen.

“I make watches that I want to wear,” said Mr. Katayama about the distinctive designs.

Founder and designer Jiro Katayama, Otsuka Lotec

Jiro Katayama was previously a freelance designer of cars and household appliances. He randomly bought a lathe at an online auction a few years prior, which led to him creating his first watch case in 2008, when he was in his mid-30s.

Four years later, Otsuka Lotec was born. With half a dozen models produced since 2012, the most recent creation is the new version of its No. 6. Time is read in a retrograde manner via needle-thin hands that look like they belong on old measuring tools. Currently the brand produces 15 timepieces per month, and plans to scale up to 50 pieces monthly in the near future.

№ 7.5

At the moment, Otsuka Lotec is only available in Japan, but towards the end of the year Mr. Katayama wants to make the watches more available for an international audience. Finding the right overseas partners can, however, be a tricky business. “Recently, we have felt that it would be more realistic to set up a directly managed store in Tokyo so that customers can buy Otsuka Lotec watches there,” he said.

In early 2025 there will be a new wandering hour model called No. 5 Kai (Kai means modification in Japanese). As the name suggests, the base model is No. 5, the timepiece that was released in 2012. The No. 5 Kai is an upgraded version, retaining the No. 5’s distinctive case, and hours and minutes discs placed on visible ball bearings.

№ 6

In our interview, Mr. Katayama revealed something completely unexpected: he is also working on a new manufacture watch branded as Jiro Katayama. “The complications for this new brand include a tourbillon – and some additional functions,” he said. “My watches are based on what I find interesting. I would be happy if someone could relate to that.”