Karl-Leimon Classic Pioneer Triple Calendar Moonphase – Rose Gold IP / White – Japanese Microbrand Moonphase Watch with Sapphire Crystal and Miyota 6P00

This Karl-Leimon Classic Pioneer Triple Calendar Moonphase in the rose gold IP finish with a silver-white dial is one of the iconic founding models of the Japanese microbrand Karl-Leimon from Tokyo – currently one of the most frequently mentioned and best-rated Japanese micro-manufacturers among collectors for classically designed moon phase watches with a true Made-in-Japan claim.

About the Karl-Leimon brand and its history: Karl-Leimon was founded in Tokyo in 2017 by two young students from the renowned Keio University – "Karl" and "Leimon" – who had met during their studies and realized that they would have liked to wear a classic moon phase watch to celebrate their graduation, but such a watch was simply not available at student-friendly prices. Their conclusion: If established brands didn't offer anything suitable, then they had to make such a watch themselves. The subsequent Kickstarter campaign in September 2017 was one of the most successful watch crowdfunding launches of its time – Karl-Leimon raised over one million US dollars and was able to produce the founding model, the Classic Pioneer Triple Calendar Moonphase, in series. Since then, the brand has consistently positioned itself under the motto "Back to Classic" and has remarkably kept this promise with six model series (Classic Pioneer, Classic Simplicity, Classic Simplicity II, Classic Field, Majesty Quartz, and Majesty Automatic).

The "Classic Pioneer Triple Calendar Moonphase" model is the brand's founding reference and simultaneously the aesthetic and conceptual manifesto of the "Back to Classic" claim: Three subdials – day of the week at 9 o'clock (SU/MO/TU/WE/TH/FR/SA), month at 3 o'clock (JAN to NOV) and an unusual pointer date display in the upper half of the dial at 12 o'clock on a semi-circular scale with odd days (1, 3, 5, 7, ... 29, 31) – complemented by a true moon phase disc at 6 o'clock with the characteristic KL logo. This arrangement follows the historical tradition of the "triple-date-moonphase" complication, as celebrated at the highest level by Patek Philippe (Ref. 1518/2497), Vacheron Constantin, and Universal Genève in the 1940s and 1950s. Karl-Leimon translates this classic aesthetic into a remarkably affordable, technically reliable quartz watch, making an aesthetic originally only accessible to very few collectors available to a wider audience.

The Rose Gold IP variant with a silver-white dial is one of the most sought-after configurations within the Classic Pioneer family: The warm rose gold of the ion-plated (IP) case coating harmonizes exceptionally well with the applied, faceted rose gold indices and the equally rose gold-colored, faceted baton hour hands. The central hour and minute hands are in a dark, blued-looking finish and contrast strikingly against the bright silver, finely satin-finished sunray dial. The two subdials feature a fine, concentric guilloché-like structure, which gives the watch additional visual depth and a sense of quality. The moon phase disc at 6 o'clock is in deep night blue with applied stars and a golden moon – a loving, carefully executed detail that can hold its own even in direct comparison with significantly more expensive Swiss moon phase watches.

The movement is a Japanese Miyota caliber 6P00 – a proven quartz moon phase/multi-function platform used in numerous premium moon phase watches by Japanese and Western brands. The choice of a high-quality Japanese quartz movement instead of a cheaper Chinese caliber is part of Karl-Leimon's consistent "Made in Japan" promise and a key reason why the brand is considered a serious and qualitatively reliable choice among connoisseurs. Battery life is typically around three years.

The case is made of stainless steel with a rose gold IP coating, combining polished and brushed surfaces, and features the characteristic "Back to Classic / Karl-Leimon Classic Pioneer" crest embossing on the back, along with the specifications "Japan Movement", "Sapphire Glass", and "5 ATM Water Resistant". The crown is signed with the KL logo. With a diameter of 38 mm, a height of only 10.2 mm, and a lug-to-lug of 46.4 mm, the watch is ideally proportioned for a classic dress watch format – wearable on almost any wrist size, from slender to robust. The sapphire crystal on the front is an unusual quality feature for this price range and underlines the brand's premium claim.

Scope of delivery: The watch comes with a new, high-quality leather strap from the German manufacturer RIOS1931 (model "Capri", genuine calfskin, RRP € 35.90) in dark brown with subtle contrast stitching and a gold-plated pin buckle – a very harmonious combination with the rose gold look of the case. RIOS1931 is a traditional Silesian-German leather strap manufacturer (founded in 1931) known for handcrafted premium leather straps, supplying renowned Swiss manufacturers, among others. In addition, the original Karl-Leimon deployant clasp (signed butterfly deployant clasp in matching rose gold look) is included separately, so the buyer can choose between the simpler pin buckle setup or the higher-quality original deployant clasp. The battery was freshly changed immediately before sale – the next battery change is thus approximately three years away.

Condition: The watch is in good, visually and technically flawless used condition with only minor signs of wear/use on the case. Dial, hands, and indices are immaculate; the sapphire crystal shows no scratches; the crown functions perfectly; all display functions (day of the week, month, date, moon phase) run correctly; the movement keeps time reliably. The watch is running. The example offered here is equipped with a fresh battery, a new premium leather strap, and the original deployant clasp.

A highly attractive moon phase watch for lovers of classic complications, Japanese microbrand quality, and the "affordable luxury" philosophy that Karl-Leimon has successfully defined.

Warranty (used)

This is a used item. The limitation period for defect claims (statutory warranty) is 12 months from delivery.

Note

As this is a used watch, no water resistance can be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.

Technical Data

• Brand: Karl-Leimon (Tokyo, Japan; founded 2017)
• Model: Classic Pioneer Triple Calendar Moonphase
• Variant: Rose Gold IP / White (silver-white dial with rose gold indices and hands)
• Movement: Miyota 6P00 Japan-Quartz, moon phase and triple calendar complication platform
• Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, day of the week (subdial 9 o'clock), month (subdial 3 o'clock), pointer date (semi-circular display at 12 o'clock), true moon phase (disc at 6 o'clock)
• Battery: freshly changed; expected lifespan approx. 3 years
• Case Material: Stainless steel with rose gold IP coating
• Case Shape: classic round dress watch case, polished and brushed surfaces
• Case Diameter: 38 mm (without crown)
• Lug-to-Lug: 46.4 mm
• Case Height: 10.2 mm
• Lug Width (case): 20 mm; new leather strap 18 mm
• Weight (with new leather strap): 61 g
• Crystal: Sapphire crystal (scratch-resistant)
• Dial: silver-white sunray-sunburst finish, applied rose gold baton and arrow indices, two concentrically guilloché-like subdials, moon phase disc in night blue with golden moon and stars
• Hands: dark-blued-looking, faceted central hour and minute hands; rose gold-colored subdial hands
• Crown: KL-signed
• Water Resistance (Original Specification): 5 ATM (50 m); no guarantee for used watches (see note above)
• Strap: new high-quality premium leather strap from the RIOS1931 manufacturer ("Capri", RRP € 35.90), genuine calfskin, dark brown with beige contrast stitching, 18 mm
• Clasps: gold-plated RIOS pin buckle on the leather strap plus original Karl-Leimon butterfly deployant clasp in rose gold look, KL-signed, included separately
• Condition: well-preserved used condition; only minor signs of wear/use on the case; dial, hands, indices, and crystal immaculate; all functions flawless; movement running, battery new