On Saturday, October 23, Minase showcased their Urushi Maki-e Hakose series at this year’s Windup Watch Fair at The Altman Building in Chelsea. While many of their products are special, their secret weapon can only be described as luxury itself. Urushi lacquer comes from the sap of the very valuable, but incredibly toxic Urushi Tree. Minase’s delicacy towards transforming the lacquer into such breathtaking dials is what representative Kelly Henriksen says makes Minase unique.
The Japanese-inspired designs honor the beauty of nature with their blending of elegant artistry and high-quality Swiss craftsmanship. At first glance, a Minase watch is undoubtedly gorgeous, but the detail in construction is what sets the brand apart. In just the dial itself, it takes layering five separate pieces to puzzle together. Minase prides itself on mastering the labor-intensive “Sallaz” technique, giving each watch that smooth polished finish.
Minase challenges the dichotomy of past and future as their pieces are classics made to last a lifetime. Representative Sven Erik Henriksen states, “The main point is the uniqueness of the designs. They are not getting their inspiration from any other watches or companies, it’s a brand-new concept based upon nature and geometry.”