Minase – Craft treasures for generations
Minase is the name of a small village in Akita Prefecture, some 450 km north of Tokyo. The brand Minase has been in operation since 2005, and proudly bears the same name. Minase was founded by Kyowa, a renowned tool manufacturer that has been in business since 1963, specializing in step drills and also a supplier of high-end watch components. As one of the smallest watch manufactures in Japan, Minase relies on highly refined technical processes in their production.
But Minase is more than just an automated production line. Every watch has passed through the hands of highly trained artisans, watch makers and technicians. This combination of modern technology and old school watchmaking leads to an unequaled product in terms of design and precision. Minase stands out for its exceptional design and outstanding technical execution.
Cherry trees blossoming in Akita Province
Minase’s philosophy is the embodiment of the Japanese principle of “Monozukuri”. The worker uses his craft and ambitions fully in the spirit of the company tradition. This philosophy stands in contrast to modern mass production and takes us into another world where tradition, perfection and history are central priorities.
DIVIDO
The flagship model of Minase, the Divido means division in Esperanto. A unique and impressive effect of depth is achieved by Minase’s “case-in-case” construction, and by the complexity of individual parts used in the assembly of the case itself. The curved copper dial appears to be floating, almost suspended below the box-type sapphire window.
Minase Divido in stainless steel
Minase webshop, choose yours !
5 WINDOWS
Available in stainless steel, palladium, 18 K yellow or 18 K rose gold, the case is enhanced by 5 sapphire crystal “windows”, offering an impressive view of the 3-dimensional case in case structure and the movement it contains.
Minase 5 Windows in yellow gold and alligator strap
HORIZON
With the harmonious fusion of its case to the spherical sapphire crystal, which seems to continue flowing uninterrupted to the bracelet, Horizon was inspired by the horizon’s line over the ocean. This watch has strong and powerful lines, with the case sides that are reminiscent of a Katana, the Samurai sword.
Horizon in black PVD and rubber bracelet
Minase webshop, choose yours !
MORE STRUCTURE
Minase’s goal is to make products that will be treasured for more than 100 years, thanks partly to the MORE structure (Minase Original Rebuilt Equation). MORE is inspired by Japanese traditional wooden puzzles. Unlike common bracelets, there are no pinholes on the links, which yields a compact design and extreme flexibility. Since a large number of parts can be disassembled, repair or replacement is easy allowing the watch to keep its original beauty over the years.
SALLAZ POLISHING
Sallaz polishing is a substrate preparation technique for achieving accurate mirror surface processing. It is a rare hand polishing technique that few craftsmen can perform well. Sallaz polishing is the pinnacle of delicate work requiring about 50 processes taking no less than 15 hours to complete a single watch.
Sallaz polishing on Minase 5 Windows
CASE IN CASE
There is no dial built in the traditional sense for Minase watches. The movement is covered by a container on top of which the index ring is fitted. This creates a “floating” structure built inside each case, like a microcosm enclosing time.
TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP
Every model in the « 5 Windows Kanagawa Series» is a sublime masterpiece, an exceptional timepiece designed and hand-produced by the master-engraver and artist Kanagawa of Tokyo. Only available in solid 18K gold, each watch is a unique, precious and true work of art. Each component (case, dial plate, index, movement and case back) may be individually decorated (engraved or painted by hand) according to a general theme selected by the customer.
Kanagawa’s engraving on a 18 K yellow gold 5 Windows
This is a unique collector’s item, made to measure and limited to one piece only !
Discover other Masterpieces here
Minase 5 Windows’s little sister in mid-size dimensions and decorated with diamonds
