Japanese luxury watch brand Minase presents Uruga, a new collection created in collaboration with renowned designer Hirokuni Yamamoto. Available in 31mm and 42mm versions, timepieces from this new series showcase a shift from the brand’s traditional edgy and linear designs.
“Uruga” is an acronym of the Japanese words “Uruwashii” and “Myabi” (pronounced “ga”) meaning respectively beauty and elegance.
Uruga represents the traditional method used to securely set gemstones into place. In this new construction is called “clamping case structure”, the clamps are brushed stand in contrast to several mirror-polished areas. The sapphire glass is inserted between the bezel and the case and displays a slight vertical curvature that follows the bezel’s shape. Clamped from below, it adds brilliance to the case while securing its water resistance.
Yet again, the brand took aesthetic inspiration from the nature around the company to create this new timepiece. The horizontal embossed gradation pattern of the dial is reminiscent of the waves of the Minase River. The background consists of an endless array of interlacing lines symbolizing infinity.
The indexes are diagonally cut and playfully interact with the light directed by the faceted, three dimensional highly polished hands. The calendar frame exudes an additional touch of elegance and sophistication to these exceptional timepieces. The 2-piece crown is finished with Minase’s famous “sallaz” surface finishing and displays the step-drill logo that proudly refers to the brand’s origins.
The Uruga watches available with a choice of either a stainless steel bracelet, or a handcrafted leather strap with a newly designed and elegant deployant clasp.
Minase Uruga 42mm
The Minase Uruga 42mm watch houses the automatic calibre KT/7002 (base ETA 2892). The highly customized movement displays hand-finished surfaces with perlage, bridges with diamond polished bevels and a main plate/bridge in black gold as well as blue screws and a “checkerboard” date disc in black and white.
The brand’s drill head logo is displayed on the rotor. Assembled with MPS lubrication-free ceramic bearings and ETACHRON adjustment system, this is a very high precision, TOP range execution with 21 jewels, a frequency of 28800 vibrations/hour (4Hz) and 50 hours power reserve.
The movement can be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back, which is securely attached to the case with 6 screws.
Minase Uruga 31mm
Designed for ladies, the Minase Uruga 31mm watch bears each and every exclusive feature of its 41mm sibling in a more elegant version with highly polished clamps. In alternance to the indexes, the dial is decorated with 6 genuine diamonds.
The 31mm model is powered with ETA 2671, a small and precise mechanical movement, whose rotor is equally customized as its larger version.
Technical details
Model: Minase Uruga
Case
316L stainless steel
Curved sapphire crystal on top with multiple layers of non-reflective coating
See though sapphire case back on bottom
Mens’ size: 42 x 48mm, thickness: 10.2mm. Weight: 160 g / 86 g
Women’ size: 31 x 39mm, thickness: 9.9mm. Weight: 85 g /50 g
Water resistant to 50 meters (5 ATM)
Movement
KT/7002 (base ETA 2892) or KT/8001/2 (base ETA 2671)
Customized by MINASE with hand-made polishing and « perlage » on plates and bridges
Minase customized rotor
Dial
Embossed pattern in blue, grey, green, pink, white and champagne
Asymmetrical applied index and genuine diamonds on women’s size
Functions
Hours, minutes and central second hands
Date at 3 o’clock
Bracelet
Genuine leather strap manufactured by hand at Minase factory
Stainless steel bracelet
Deployant clasp
Suggested retail prices
Gent’s models: From $ 4400 on leather strap and from $5650 on bracelet
Lady’s models: From $4200 on leather strap and from $ 5400 on bracelet
