cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17044
MINASE Exhibition
Hello Gents,
While I was in Tokyo I had a very brief space of time, less than one hour, to run over to see an exhibition of Minase watches.
You can refer to Ken's post earlier this year on MINASE for a more detailed explanation of their models.
In essence, this is a company that makes tooling, cases and bracelets for many years, and is now producing some complete watches, with ETA movements. Possibly they will have their own movement as well someday.
Their products demonstrate their strengths and an unusual focus on the construction and design of the wristwatch (versus the movement). I would say in this regard they might be similar perhaps to watches I own from Hysek, Ikepod, Silberstein, etc.
But they have a more deliberate way of approaching the modular watch, using a "Case Within a Case" design on most of their models.
5-WINDOW
This watch demonstrates curved sapphire glass on several surfaces, notably the back side, and windows in each side flank of the case. Perhaps a bit like the Omega Hour Vision in appearance, but with larger windows. Neat straps too - I like texture on my watch straps.
They must have a good relationship with the sapphire crystal grinding company!
Not likely that you would break or scratch one of these crystals, but I wouldn't expect your local jeweler to be able to replace one ...
Very cool view of the inside of your watch
There are several colors of dials, hands and cases, including an 18k gold case on special order.
Please excuse the brutal lighting conditions - as you know shops aren't the optimum place to take photos of watches (sparkle, glare, reflection)
I got the impression they'd be able to do orange highlights for our pal Andrew (though I'm not sure he could dive with this watch).
It looks normal on the wrist and wears very well - roughly 40 x 12 mm. There are attractive choices of colors and textures for the dial and hands.
the polishing and brushing makes the watch look like it's made of 2 materials - but it's just tricks of the light
You will soon see the rationale for the name Divido
The edges have corners but everything is smoothly radiused - I felt nothing rough and the bracelet is silky in its movement. Mrs C liked the blue one best.
Now shall we go to the bench? An unsuspecting watch has little sticky protector tape put on the lugs
Undo a few screws
Then a few more on the lugs
Hey, what's this? the lugs are coming apart! An industrial finish on the back side and highly polished and brushed on the front.
Looking from the top as the top of the case suddenly is lifted away.
The exploded view. Only screwdriver. Only a few minutes. All case parts looked to be "O" ringed for water resistance
Now the movement "case within case" is revealed
Here it is - no dial in the conventional sense. No offense Omega fans but this must be a "sandwich within a sapphire sandwich"
The watch was running all this time.
Our technician was able to reassemble the watch just as quickly as the disassembly. And not one special tool either, so VERY DANGEROUS for PuristS who like to tinker!
This construction approach, which they call MORE (Minase Original Rebuilding Equation) makes it possible to renew or refinish a case very quickly.
Ken, feel free to add more details, as "Mr Minase" and I had a brief language-impaired conversation consisting of smiling, nodding and bowing.
Sadly we were unable to look at all the other brands in the store - we had to rush back one mile to our hotel and on to Narita.
CAZALEA
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2014-10-19 06:18:22 This message has been edited by cazalea on 2014-10-19 06:24:10
THE NEW DIVIDO MODEL
This watch case is held together with screws, and in the exhibition a nice young man took it completely apart with a screwdriver in about 3 minutes. (No, Nico I did not break it)
It looks normal on the wrist and wears very well - roughly 40 x 12 mm. There are attractive choices of colors and textures for the dial and hands.
the polishing and brushing makes the watch look like it's made of 2 materials - but it's just tricks of the light
You will soon see the rationale for the name Divido
Decorated ETA inside.
The edges have corners but everything is smoothly radiused - I felt nothing rough and the bracelet is silky in its movement. Mrs C liked the blue one best.
Now shall we go to the bench? An unsuspecting watch has little sticky protector tape put on the lugs
and the bracelet is off
Hey, what's this? the lugs are coming apart! An industrial finish on the back side and highly polished and brushed on the front.
Looking from the top as the top of the case suddenly is lifted away.
The exploded view. Only screwdriver. Only a few minutes. All case parts looked to be "O" ringed for water resistance
Now the movement "case within case" is revealed
Here it is - no dial in the conventional sense. No offense Omega fans but this must be a "sandwich within a sapphire sandwich"
The watch was running all this time.
Our technician was able to reassemble the watch just as quickly as the disassembly. And not one special tool either, so VERY DANGEROUS for PuristS who like to tinker!
This construction approach, which they call MORE (Minase Original Rebuilding Equation) makes it possible to renew or refinish a case very quickly.
Ken, feel free to add more details, as "Mr Minase" and I had a brief language-impaired conversation consisting of smiling, nodding and bowing.
Sadly we were unable to look at all the other brands in the store - we had to rush back one mile to our hotel and on to Narita.
Ginza is definitely a place where it is safest to leave your credit cards behind!
CAZALEA
More posts:
MINASE Exhibition
Hello Gents, While I was in Tokyo I had a very brief space of time, less than one hour, to run over to see an exhibition of Minase watches. You can refer to Ken's post earlier this year on MINASE for a more detailed explanation of their models. In essence...
Thanks for this report Mike...
both of those watches speak to me... at least the pictures do. I hope they will not take too long to bring them to Europe. The "tool manufacturer esthetic" is clear, compare to Lehmann in Germany, also first and formost a tool manufacturer. The "case in a...
I can imagine how it might appeal to you
I thought when I saw one of the cases coming apart that it reminded me of one of your watches, shown here and on the screen below Cazalea ...
Tool maker has its strength....
... as I reported in my previous post, Minase (under the company name - "Kyowa Seiko" or in English, "Kyowa Precision") provides machines to some of the prominent Swiss watch brands. It knows what it can do and how best to use it. Of course, the craftsman...
