Makoto and the Craft of Transience
It has been just over a year since Makoto Watch Company appeared on the scene, carrying a clear idea and a measured voice. Founded in Canada and inspired by Japanese design philosophy, the brand set out to merge cultural precision with northern craftsmanship.
When the Hamana and Hakusan first launched a year ago, they introduced a new way of looking at Japanese-inspired design through the lens of modern independent watchmaking. There was no grand marketing push, no rush of limited releases. Instead, there was care.
In those early months, Makoto began to earn its place not through noise but through consistency. The watches found their way into the hands of collectors who valued thoughtfulness over trend, and into small exhibitions and independent showcases where the conversation was about craft, not competition. Ryan LeClair, founder of the brand, has appeared in collector shows and enthusiast forums and speaks readily about the thinking behind each design variant.
The press noticed too. Reviews in indepezndent horology blogs and online magazines often picked up on the same thing: Makoto’s restraint. Reviewers spoke of balance and proportion, of design maturity that belied the brand’s age. The kind of language usually reserved for older names began appearing next to Makoto’s, which says something about how naturally it has found its rhythm.
There is a quiet confidence about the brand now. Each release feels deliberate, every detail part of a longer conversation about how watches can express culture without falling into cliché. A year on, Makoto has not only held attention but deepened it, and that is far rarer than the flurry of enthusiasm that usually surrounds a debut.
…I pour that same passion into every detail of our pieces, making sure the quality, fit, and finish are exactly what I’d want in my own collection. We’ll never cut corners or sacrifice craftsmanship just to save a few dollars—that’s a promise.
Hamana and Hakusan
When Makoto launched the Hamana and Hakusan, it did what every sensible new brand should do: it kept the promise simple and then over-delivered on it. These are modestly ambitious, thoughtfully made tool watches that earn trust by being better than they need to be. They are built around a straightforward 40mm stainless steel case, a domed sapphire crystal with underside anti-reflective coating, ceramic bezels, screw-down crowns and 200 metres of water resistance. Inside, the Miyota 9039 premium automatic movement hums away, slim enough to keep the profile refined while offering the reliability and precision collectors expect.
The Hamana is the quieter of the two, its blue dial shifting between daylight and dusk tones, serene yet never flat. The Hakusan, by contrast, wears a crisp white dial that comes alive when the lume glows after dark. Both watches carry a certain familiarity yet avoid imitation. They are wearable, balanced, and grounded in proportion, which makes them feel more timeless than trendy. (Luxfanzine feature, December 2024: Honouring Japanese Heritage, One Tick at a Time)
Before production, every element of the design was scrutinised and refined. Alignment, tactile feel and finishing were all reconsidered by Ryan and a small circle of trusted enthusiasts before the first pieces ever reached manufacture. That care ensured that what arrived on collectors’ wrists felt complete from day one, not an early draft awaiting revision.
The Hamana and Hakusan became the foundation stones of the brand, proof that good design and honest construction could hold their own in a crowded field. They introduced Makoto’s key idea: that the essence of Japanese design is not minimalism for its own sake, but refinement with purpose.
Shibuya: the pulse of modern Tokyo
If the Hamana and Hakusan were about stillness, the Shibuya captured movement. Named after Tokyo’s most electric district, it was Makoto’s way of stepping into the rhythm of the city. The design did not imitate the chaos of Shibuya’s crossing but channelled its energy. The watch feels alive under shifting light, its textures and finishes playing like reflections in a city that never truly sleeps.
Shibuya’s lines are sharper, the edges more confident. The brushing has depth, the polishing more direction, yet it remains perfectly wearable. Pops of colour add personality without excess, and the layering of the indices brings a subtle architectural quality that evokes Tokyo’s skyline. It is a design that feels modern and expressive yet unmistakably Makoto.
Collectors responded immediately. Reviewers described it as fun, contemporary and full of life. It was proof that the brand could be playful without losing discipline. With Shibuya, Makoto moved beyond establishing credibility and began shaping identity. It became a conversation piece, not because of boldness, but because of balance. The watch embodied Tokyo’s duality: energy and order, motion and calm.
Kodawari: the pursuit of refinement
In Japanese culture, Kodawari is less about chasing perfection and more about showing respect for the craft. It is the idea of caring deeply about every stage of creation, even when no one else may notice. Makoto interprets Kodawari with sincerity rather than ceremony.
Each model, from the early Hamana to the more recent Shibuya, shows an evolving commitment to material honesty. The use of natural stones such as malachite, lapis lazuli, meteorite and mother-of-pearl gives each dial its own character. These materials are not decorative indulgences but thoughtful gestures, chosen for their ability to catch light and convey stillness. Their natural variations ensure that no two watches are alike, and their symbolism, malachite for growth, lapis for depth, meteorite for time, mother-of-pearl for calm, etc – connects the wearer to something larger than design.
Beneath the surface, the mechanical movements remain consistently Japanese. The Miyota 9015 movement offers precision, durability and serviceability. Makoto’s decision to regulate these movements before assembly shows an attention to consistency that mirrors its aesthetic care. This harmony between art and engineering has become a defining part of the brand’s identity.
Each release feels like a measured improvement, an incremental step in an ongoing conversation between material and maker. It reminds us that refinement is not a final destination but a philosophy of doing things properly. In this, Makoto continues to embody the spirit of modern Japanese craftsmanship: considered, human and confident.
Nagomi: finding harmony
If Shibuya captures the city’s pulse and its restless motion, then the Nagomi speaks to the stillness that follows. The word itself means harmony, balance and a sense of calm that comes from things being in their rightful place. For Makoto, it marks a return to simplicity expressed with quiet confidence. The Nagomi feels like the watch equivalent of a respected and seasoned professional who has nothing to prove: composed, articulate and deliberate. Every line serves a purpose, every surface is measured, and nothing is there to fill space.
Every line and curve of the Nagomi has been softened to invite ease. The case transitions flow naturally, the dial is clean and deliberate, and the colour palette leans toward soft silvers, warm greys and muted blues and reds that play gently with light. It is the kind of watch that reveals its depth slowly, inviting a quiet familiarity rather than instant impact.
The Nagomi draws together lessons from the entire Makoto journey so far. It has the balanced geometry of the Hamana, the thoughtful texture of the Kodawari and the quiet confidence of the Shibuya. It feels mature, composed and deeply wearable. More than a product, it represents a state of mind: one of ease and balance.
Where the Shibuya belongs to the city’s motion, the Nagomi belongs to the pause that follows. It reflects the Japanese idea that beauty is often found in stillness, in the moments between things. Makoto’s success with the Nagomi lies in how naturally that philosophy translates to design. It is less about innovation and more about understanding when to stop.
Looking ahead: the pace of progress
Momentum in watchmaking can be fragile. Too much and a brand risks losing focus; too little and it fades from view. Makoto seems to understand this balance instinctively. Its first year was about identity and intent. What comes next feels open, but grounded.
Over the past year, Ryan admits the journey has been a whirlwind of discovery. Entering the industry brought both challenge and inspiration, but what stands out most for him is the sense of community that has formed around the brand. The enthusiasm of collectors and the friendships built along the way have shaped Makoto’s evolution just as much as the watches themselves.
Stepping into a new industry has challenged and inspired me in ways I never expected. It’s been an incredible journey—full of learning, growth, and meeting so many amazing people who share the same passion.
He remains unwavering about what matters most. Quality and personal connection will always define Makoto. As a lifelong watch enthusiast, Ryan stays directly involved with customers and their feedback, ensuring every detail meets the standard he expects in his own collection. It is a principle that has quietly earned the brand its growing following.
Looking forward, Ryan speaks with the same calm excitement that characterises his designs. New releases are already planned for the coming year. He also reveals plans to take Makoto to international watch shows in 2026, where the brand will share its approach to craftsmanship and design on a global stage. It marks a confident step forward, one that feels entirely in keeping with the brand’s measured progress so far.
No matter what we create, our promise remains the same — to deliver exceptional timepieces that combine quality, affordability, and our signature design flair.
When Ryan speaks about what lies ahead, one suspects the answer will not be about size or scale, but about meaning. For Makoto, the story has never been about expansion for its own sake. It has been about doing things the right way, at the right pace, and allowing time to reveal the results. In watchmaking, that might just be the rarest form of ambition of all.
The next stage in Makoto’s journey hints at contrast: precision meeting adventure, elegance meeting endurance. New models are taking shape, some more accessible, others built for the road less travelled, all carrying the same insistence on quality and connection. There are whispers of a new GMT language and a watch shaped by the hands of the community itself. For those who have followed since the beginning, the signs are already there; for everyone else, the reveal will come soon enough.
Further information: https://makotowatch.com/
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