KUOE KYOTO

Visited KUOE in Kyoto, a well-respected Japanese micro-brand, and picked up the Old Smith Bronze with the khaki and red NATO strap. Pricing was fair, and the build quality feels solid for the category. The shop was very busy when I arrived, and a few customers were behaving poorly; pushy, loud, and making things difficult for the staff. Even with that going on, the KUOE team stayed calm, patient and genuinely helpful. Their English is excellent, and the service felt thoughtful, not rushed. If you’re planning a visit, go early so it’s quieter, and avoid Tuesday (closed) and Wednesday (the day after closing). My only suggestion for improvement would be a clearer process for crowd control and queuing, as the space gets cramped quickly. Only regret is not grabbing a second strap while I was there. I’d happily return for another model next time I’m in Kyoto.

Thank you Kuoe Kyoto for a great watch experience! We were visiting Kyoto for a day trip. While we didn’t plan on buying - the experience was a lot of fun. They were busy, but their staff managed well. They were patient with us, as we took some time to decide - but were happy to put on watches with different straps, to help make a decision. It was a 20 minute wait after we received our ticket to pay and collect our watch, which is assembled in-house. They’ve clearly worked at improving their system based on customer feedback and we couldn’t fault our experience in store. Very grateful to Kuoe Kyoto for a memorable time! ⌚️⏱️

High-quality custom watches and a smooth, enjoyable experience from start to finish. Although the shop was quite full with tourists, it didn’t detract from the atmosphere or service. I bought a custom watch for my mom, and all of the staff spoke good enough English to make the process easy and pleasant. They were friendly, helpful, and made sure everything felt special. The watch is a beautiful keepsake and a meaningful way to remember the trip.

What a fun shopping experience! Pretty much knew that I wanted a Sombrero, so as long as we were in Kyoto on holiday, I had to stop in the flagship store to see them in person. Arrived at 11:15 AM and the counter was just about full. Worked with Shohei, who was super helpful and fun to talk with. He helped me try on a couple different bracelets. I ultimately settled on the flat link bracelet and the light brown leather bracelet, and they look great with the green faced Sombrero! Tip: sign up for Kuoe email alerts within 30 days of visiting the store to get 5% off your first purchase. Couple that with the tax-free shopping discounts for foreign travelers, and my 113,000 yen watch (plus 3,000 yen to size up the metal bracelet) brought the final price down to 100,400 yen (approximately $680 USD). I thinks that’s a great deal!

I walked into this store and the staff was extremely friendly the moment I walked in. I already knew what I wanted before I even got here—a 38 mm Old Smith white dial. This gorgeous piece will be my everyday watch. A special thank you to Jackie for helping me and be so friendly. There are a lot of negative reviews criticizing the queueing system—this store is busy. Just be patient and polite, the wait is worth it.

I've been a follower of Kenji's brand for a few years at this point and finally had the opportunity to visit the store within Kyoto. I was not disappointed, this is a wonderful independent brand with beautiful watches. I came to purchase a watch for myself and father. Generally, we wear 40mm watches so the smaller 35-38mm sizing of their watches felt unconventional and ‘too small’ at first. However, credit to the staff, after speaking with them and really taking time with the watches on my wrist, I quickly fell in love. The staff was kind, respectful, and really valued you picking your favorite choice. Individuals came in trying multiple bands, multiple watches, but never did the staff attempt to rush them and I greatly appreciated that. If you have been interested in this brand and find yourself in Japan, pricing is much better in store than online so I recommend stopping inside. Its a watch I will treasure and attach to my trip. I will have to come back for the ‘Sombrero’! One minor complaint, it’s an independent brand and so I do understand, however only one year of warranty feels just a bit too short.

They are gaining a lot of popularity so the store was full and crowded even just after opening, but the staff handled all the customers with patience and professionalism. There is a bit of a wait to get served and pay but nothing unbearable and it's all worth it anyway. As for the watches, great selection and craftsmanship without the outlandish price tag. Watches feel premium and novel - really has that distinct vintage look and feel. Very happy with the experience and purchased product. Highly recommend to get your very own time piece of Kyoto on your wrist to take wherever you go.

I purchased an Old Smith watch with a bamboo bracelet on our trip to Kyoto this March. We actually made a few purchases at the showroom. We felt comfortable with the purchases because we were promised free shipping for any repairs. Shortly after I began wearing it, the bracelet started to open on its own. This now occurs every time I wear it. As I have come close to losing the watch many times, I can no longer wear it. I reached out to customer service. Filled out forms. Sent multiple pictures only to be told that there was nothing they could do because the bracelet is not covered by warranty. What awful customer service. Would not recommend Kuoe watches to anyone. Very poor quality