DAISUKE ARAKI with Hamilton PSR
PROFILE
Born in 1976 . . Born in Gunma Prefecture. Studied under stylist Takashi Kumagai, and became independent in 2001. He proposes strong styling based on American casual with a touch of contemporary mood. He has styled for numerous fashion magazines and celebrities.
The watch was at the entrance of fashion.
Mr. Araki, I have the impression that you have been using "Hamilton" watches for a long time.
Araki: Yes. I got my start in "Hamilton" with "Ventura," but I got interested in the fashion world from the rockabilly style. There were a lot of people in my hometown who wore that kind of clothing.
I see! Where is your hometown?
Araki: I live in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture. When I was in high school, there were many people dressed in rockabilly style, and I grew up in a place surrounded by such people, so I inevitably came to like that culture.
Mr. Araki is also a loyal "Hamilton" user. On this day, he was wearing a "Ventura" on his wrist.
. Even now, Maebashi has a strong image of musical culture.
Araki: . That's one of the reasons why listening to Elvis (Presley) was a part of my daily life. I saw a scary-looking older brother with a "Hamilton" watch on his wrist. Because I had seen such a scene, I had always known that "Hamilton" watches were cool watches, and I had a great admiration for them.
Both your "Ventura" and the "Hamilton Pulsar," which was reissued this year as the "Hamilton PSR," were used by Elvis, weren't they? Was the fact that the watches are clad in musical culture the reason for your choice?
Araki: That is exactly the point. When I was a child in my hometown, I used to go to a watch shop in town that sold antique watches, and when I saw a "Pulsar" on display, I thought it was so cool. They were so expensive that I couldn't afford them, but I would stare at the showcase and think, "Someday I'll get one too..." (laughs). I had heard that the "Pulsar" had been reissued under a different name, and I wanted to own one.
So, from a fashion point of view, what is the position of the wristwatch?
Araki: I think it is an item that can easily express the direction of the character of the wearer. The wristwatch can be used as a stylistic element, or it can be used as a diversion, or it can be used to inject a sense of culture.
. You can see a lot about a person through his or her wristwatch.
Araki: There are various ranks of wristwatches, so they may upgrade the overall style or, conversely, swing toward a more casual line. . I think they are meant to add flavor to the overall image of the styling.
Hamilton Pulsar," released in 1970, was the world's first LED digital watch, which also attracted a lot of attention. The newly released "Hamilton PSR" also has a cool retro-futuristic look that comes full circle when viewed today, what do you think?
Araki: . The design is also cool and a point of attraction. The fact that the button on the right side of the case is pressed to turn the light on, and the light glows with a slight time lag is also a nice antique-like touch.
. As for the shape, I heard that it was perfectly traced by 3D scanning. How about the color?
Araki: I think the "Hamilton PSR" is also available in gold PVD, but I personally think the silver version is more suitable for everyday wear. I have a lot of silver accessories, so in that sense, silver watches go well with them.
. What kind of item is a wristwatch for you, Mr. Araki?
Araki: . It is an indispensable item not only as a fashion item but also as a lifestyle item. I used to check the time on my smartphone, but now I spend a lot of time looking at it. I get a lot of notifications each time I look at my phone, and I get tired from the amount of information I receive. . So, I try to check the time on my wristwatch, even if it means spending as little time as possible on my phone during the day. For me, a wristwatch is something I need every day.
If you were to incorporate the Hamilton PSR into your own outfits, what would be your favorite style to wear it with?
Araki: . First of all, it has a strong character as an object, doesn't it? I usually wear simple monotone-based clothes, but I think a design with such a strong presence is good because it can add interest to fashion. I think silver watches look especially good with black, so navy is fine, but I think they look great with a tight black outfit like the one I'm wearing today.
Hamilton PSR ¥90,000+TAX (Hamilton/Swatch Group Japan)
The "Hamilton Pulsar", the world's first LED digital watch launched in 1970, was renamed "Hamilton PSR" to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020 and reissued as the long-awaited reissue. The design and size of the watch is based on the "P2" released in 1973 , with the wide cushion-shaped case reproduced by 3D scanning. . The original model has been updated with a sapphire crystal windshield and a hybrid display combining liquid crystal and organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology.
