Ōtsuka Lōtec No. 6 “Early Production”

The No. 6 by Ōtsuka Lōtec is the brainchild of independent Japanese watchmaker Jiro Katayama, who has cultivated a loyal cult following among connoisseurs of experimental design. While the brand is distributed solely in Japan — purchased via lottery and limited to domestic buyers — it has quietly gained international acclaim for its distinct steampunk aesthetic, novel mechanics, and avant-garde approach to design. Working with a small team, Ōtsuka Lōtec produces less than 200 watches per year.

With its eight-screw bezel, straight-brushed steel case, and instrument-like dial layout, the No. 6 is evocative of vintage industrial meters, particularly analog pressure gauges. The retrograde hour and minute indicators are powered by a modified Miyota 9015 caliber, cleverly fitted with a proprietary module developed in-house. Exposed hardware and minimalistic text elements enhance the mechanical, function-first character of the piece. The richly monochromatic dial feels as though it could have been lifted from a fantastical machine in Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle, making it both wearable and imaginative.

The model was nominated for — and ultimately won — the 2024 GPHG “Challenge” Prize, marking a significant milestone for Katayama and drawing global attention to the quietly revered Japanese atelier.

The present example is notable as it was sold in 2020, well before the wave of international acclaim for the brand. As such, there are slight differences in this, an “early production” Ōtsuka Lōtec No. 6, versus many others you may see produced later. Namely, the watch has no unique serial number, simply engraved “P6” on the caseback. Otherwise, the box, papers, and strap are mostly unsigned by the brand, telling of the bootstrapped nature in these early years.