Narratives of Time: Weaving Stories Into Watchmaking

For a watchmaker, the workbench is usually the extent of our world. We speak to the screws, bridges, and gears, and eventually, we speak to the collector. But rarely do we get the chance to speak to statesmen and women themselves.

A week after my solo debut at Kisui, I was given a distinct honor: to deliver a talk entitled "Narratives of Time: Weaving Stories into Watchmaking," an event organized by the Philippine Embassy in Japan through Sentro Rizal-Tokyo.

A Different Kind of Stage

If Kisui was about making quiet connections, this event was about sharing the formal chronicle of my journey and the watchmaking history of my home country - the Philippines.

Standing before the diplomatic corps, members of the Filipino community, and Japanese guests, I realized that my role had shifted. I wasn't just Francisco Moreno, the artist; I was a representative of a growing movement.

The Embassy provided a platform to discuss a side of the Philippines rarely seen in Tokyo: our capacity for precision, history, and craftsmanship. It was a privilege to share the stage with Chargé d'Affaires Mr. Christian L. De Jesus and to receive the support of Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano.

The Dialogue of Design: Ma and Shokunin

In my presentation, I traced the timeline of my career—from the founding of Ibarra Watches in Manila to the establishment of Moreno Watch Studio in Tokyo.

I spoke at length about how my time in Japan has reshaped my philosophy, specifically through two concepts that define my current work.

First is "Ma" (negative space)—the discipline of silence and subtraction that has influenced the clean, deliberate lines of the Kaminari.

Second, and perhaps most personal to me, is the spirit of the "Shokunin". This is my favorite Japanese word, often translated simply as "craftsman," but meaning so much more. It implies a commitment to do one's best, a relentless pursuit of perfection not for the sake of profit or applause, but for the sake of the craft itself. Adopting the Shokunin mindset has been the most transformative part of my life in Tokyo.

Diplomacy Through Craft

The "Narratives of Time" event reinforced a belief I have held since moving here in 2022: Art is the most honest form of diplomacy.

When we create objects of beauty and durability, we challenge perceptions. We show that Filipino talent belongs in the quiet ateliers of Tokyo just as much as it belongs in the busy streets of Manila.

The support from Sentro Rizal was not just a pat on the back; it was a mandate to continue pushing the boundaries of what a Filipino watchmaker can achieve on the global stage.