WHY A SHORT LIST
Founded in 2012 in Ghent, Kaname Watches operates from a single room with a single glass counter on Klokstraat. We deliberately keep a short list of mechanical watches and will never present more than twelve at any time. Currently, there are five pieces in the shop. Each watch is chosen one by one for its balance, case architecture, and everyday endurance.
Every mechanical piece is opened, checked, and timing-tested on Tomasz Wrona’s service bench before it is added to the counter tray. We believe a watch should live comfortably on a real wrist rather than sit untouched in a display case. Restricting our collection ensures that every case, dial, and caliber receives our complete, unhurried attention.
IN THE COUNTER
Five mechanical watches currently resting on the wool felt inside our Ghent counter, each inspected and regulated on the bench.
HOW WE CHOOSE
We select every watch through four quiet questions before it earns a place on the counter tray. Ilse Verhoeven evaluates each candidate against strict standards of proportion, mechanical longevity, and honest craft. If a watch fails any single test, we do not add it to the list.
01 Does it keep good time after a week on Tomasz’s bench?
02 Can it be serviced in ten years?
03 Does it sit flat on a 15 cm wrist?
04 Would we wear it ourselves?
TWO IN FULL
I · HAND-WOUND · 28 MM
SQUARE 28
The Aldren Square 28 was chosen after three counter visits by a client seeking a proportioned watch for a left wrist. Built in Aldren’s Biel workshop, its compact square geometry sits flush against the skin, avoiding excess bulk under a tailored cuff.
The cream dial features restrained baton indices paired with a hand-wound movement delivering forty-two hours of reserve. Tomasz regulated the caliber to provide steady daily performance on Rafael’s supple calf strap.
Case 28 mm steel · hand-wound, 42 h · calf strap · €1,420
II · AUTOMATIC · 39 MM
TIDE 39
The Nordhaven Tide 39 was built in Aarhus as a dependable daily mechanical companion for year-round wear. Tested through a cyclist’s winter of Belgian rain, its brushed steel case and screw-down architecture shrug off weather and road vibration without hesitation.
Inside, an automatic caliber keeps steady time beneath a muted slate dial. After six months of daily exposure, a timing check on Tomasz’s bench confirmed the movement remained within strict chronometric tolerance.
39 mm steel · automatic · 100 m · €1,640
THE BENCH
Every mechanical watch requires periodic care to preserve its timing and lubrication. At our Ghent service bench, Tomasz Wrona handles adjustments, strap fitting, and complete mechanical overhauls using proper tools and original parts.
| Leather strap by Rafael Ortega | calf or suede, made to your wrist | €85 |
| Timing check and demagnetising | same day | €45 |
| Full service, hand-wound | 4–6 weeks, 12-month warranty | €290 |
| Full service, automatic | 4–6 weeks, 12-month warranty | €340 |
VISIT
Forty-five minutes, three watches, no hurry.
We welcome visitors to our Ghent counter by appointment so that each fitting receives forty-five minutes of quiet attention.
1 Book a 45-minute slot online or by phone.
2 Tell us what you wear now and your wrist size.
3 We set three watches out on the felt tray.
4 Try, size and take a week — we hold your choice for 7 days.
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:00–18:00 (Thursday until 20:00), Saturday 10:00–17:00. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Address: Klokstraat 12, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.