Classic visual novel AIR celebrated with new 25th anniversary watch
A new, limited-edition chronograph watch has been announced to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the legendary visual novel “AIR”.
AIR, which was developed by the studio Key, is one of the most famous and influential visual novels of all time.
It is acclaimed for its beautiful, emotional, and often heartbreaking story, something that is represented in the saying “Kanon is a miracle, AIR is art, CLANNAD is life” that emerged in the early 2000s in fan discussions.
This new watch, from the manufacturer Toei, is a collector’s item designed with a multitude of intricate details that pay homage to the game’s story and characters.
The white-silver dial of the watch features a subtle, embossed feather pattern and accents of a clear blue mother-of-pearl, which are meant to evoke the sky and sea of the game’s seaside town setting.
The three sub-dials are each themed after one of the game’s three story arcs: “DREAM,” “SUMMER,” and “AIR,” and feature unique details such as hands shaped like the heroines’ school uniform neckties.
The watch is a limited edition of 2,000 pieces, and the back of each one is engraved with an individual edition number.
It comes with both a stainless steel and a genuine leather strap, which can be easily interchanged.
The watch is presented in a special collector’s box, which is decorated with an embossed feather and a ribbon designed to look like the character Kano Kirishima’s yellow bandana.
Inside the box, alongside the watch, are two special art cards and a vial of “star sand,” a reference to a key moment in the game’s story.
A special, pre-order exclusive “anniversary card” is also being offered.
The “AIR 25th Anniversary Chronograph Watch” is priced at ¥27,500 (approx. $185 USD/£138 GBP) and pre-orders for the watch are now open via the official Anime Collection online store.
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