ABOUT US
Discover the Undiscovered
At Wancher Watch, we believe that a watch can be more than an instrument for measuring time. It can be a piece of art, a storyteller, and a connection to the culture and craftsmanship that inspired its creation.
Founded by Taizo Okagaki, Wancher began with a fascination for watches and a desire to create timepieces that carry meaning. Today, Wancher Watch combines contemporary watchmaking with the beauty of traditional Japanese art, creating distinctive watches for collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
Our Story
The story of Wancher began with Taizo Okagaki's experience working in Egypt during the 1990s. While conducting research in challenging conditions, he experienced firsthand how important and precious time can become when ordinary routines disappear.
That experience sparked a lasting interest in watches and eventually became the foundation for Wancher's journey.
Since 2005, Wancher has explored different approaches to watch design while developing a broader mission: discovering traditional Japanese craftsmanship and introducing it to people around the world.
Over time, this philosophy led Wancher Watch toward a distinctive identity rooted in Japanese culture, traditional craftsmanship, literature, and art.
A Timepiece That Reflects Japan
Japan has a remarkable heritage of craftsmanship, stories, philosophies, and artistic traditions. At Wancher Watch, we believe these traditions can be expressed through contemporary timepieces without losing their original spirit.
Our watches draw inspiration from Japanese literature, folklore, philosophy, and traditional decorative arts. Each design is created with the intention of communicating a story while remaining a functional and wearable object.
Rather than simply following mainstream watch trends, we look for inspiration in places that are often overlooked.
This is the heart of our philosophy:
Discover the Undiscovered.
Preserving Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship
One of Wancher's most important missions is to help preserve traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Our Urushi watches are a reflection of this commitment. Urushi, a traditional Japanese lacquer technique, requires patience, precision, experience, and years of dedicated training.
The creation of an Urushi dial involves numerous carefully controlled stages, and each finished surface carries the character of the artisan who created it. Natural variations and subtle differences are not imperfections—they are part of what makes handcrafted Urushi unique.
By incorporating traditional techniques such as Urushi and Maki-e into modern watches, we hope to provide these crafts with a new place in contemporary life while helping introduce their beauty to a global audience.
Working With Skilled Artisans
Traditional crafts survive through people.
Wancher works to support experienced Japanese artisans and craftspeople whose knowledge has been developed over decades. Many traditional techniques face challenges as younger generations move toward modern industries and fewer people enter traditional apprenticeships.
We believe that craftsmanship should not simply become something remembered in history books.
It should continue to evolve, be appreciated, and be passed from one generation to another.
Our watches provide a platform for these skills to be seen and appreciated by people beyond Japan.
The Art of Urushi
Urushi is one of the defining elements of Wancher Watch.
Each Urushi dial is carefully created by skilled artisans using traditional techniques. Some of our designs incorporate additional Japanese decorative traditions, including Maki-e and Raden, creating surfaces with remarkable depth, texture, and visual character.
Because these processes are performed by hand, every dial can have subtle variations. This individuality is an essential part of the appeal of handcrafted Japanese art.
A Wancher Urushi watch is therefore not simply a watch with a decorative dial. It is an opportunity to carry a piece of Japanese craftsmanship on your wrist.
Inspired by Stories
Every culture has stories that have survived for generations.
Japanese folklore, literature, legends, and traditional art provide an extraordinary source of inspiration for our designs. We explore these stories and interpret their themes through color, texture, symbolism, and form.
Our goal is to create watches that encourage curiosity.
When you look at a Wancher watch, we hope you see more than its hands and dial. We hope you discover a story behind it—a story connected to Japanese culture, craftsmanship, or history.
Crafted With Purpose
While artistic expression is important to us, a watch must also perform its fundamental purpose reliably.
We carefully select movements and materials according to the intention of each watch design. Our collections incorporate Japanese mechanical and quartz movements as well as other carefully selected calibers.
Depending on the model, Wancher watches may feature materials such as sapphire crystal, reinforced mineral glass, premium leather, FKM rubber, Urushi lacquer, Raden, and other specialized materials.
Every watch is also subject to quality-control procedures before it is shipped to customers.
A Global Japanese Brand
Wancher is proud of its Japanese roots while serving a growing community of watch enthusiasts around the world.
Our watches are created for people who appreciate individuality, craftsmanship, history, and thoughtful design. Through our international presence, we aim to make Japanese craftsmanship more accessible while sharing the stories behind the techniques and traditions we value.
From Japan to watch collectors across the world, Wancher continues to build a community connected by curiosity and appreciation for exceptional craftsmanship.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
To discover, preserve, and share the hidden beauty of Japanese craftsmanship through watches and everyday objects.
We want to help traditional arts remain relevant in the modern world, support the artisans who keep these traditions alive, and create timepieces that carry meaningful stories for generations to come.
Our Vision
We envision a future where traditional craftsmanship and modern design can exist together naturally.
A future where ancient techniques are not forgotten, but reimagined.
A future where a watch can serve as both a precision instrument and a cultural artifact.
And most importantly, a future where people around the world can discover the beauty that has been waiting to be discovered.
Discover the Undiscovered.
Timepieces that reflect Japan. |
