Minase
Akita, Japan · Est. 1963
Founded by Kyowa Co. Ltd.
Minase is a Japanese watch brand founded in 2005 by Kyowa Co., a precision parts manufacturer in Akita Prefecture. The brand is celebrated for its extraordinary case finishing, featuring multiple unique facets polished by craftsmen by hand, and for producing entirely Japanese-made timepieces including movements.
- Founded
- 1963
- Headquarters
- Akita, Japan
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Divido — Signature collection with a case featuring multiple individually polished facets, showcasing Minase's extraordinary Sallaz finishing technique.
- Seven Windows — Bold design with seven polished 'windows' cut into the case sides, revealing the movement and demonstrating the brand's precision machining.
- Horizon — Minimalist collection with sweeping horizontal lines and the brand's characteristic multi-faceted case finishing.
- URUGA — Sports-oriented collection featuring larger dimensions and robust construction while retaining Minase's artisan case finishing.
Timeline
- 1963 — Kyowa Co. Ltd. is established in Akita Prefecture, Japan, as a precision parts manufacturer.
- 2005 — Kyowa launches the Minase watch brand, applying decades of precision machining expertise to horology. Named after the Minase area of Akita.
- 2008 — Minase gains international recognition for its Sallaz polishing technique — a demanding process producing mirror-perfect facets on every surface.
- 2025 — Minase celebrates 20 years with limited-edition Seven Windows models and expanding international distribution.
- 2025 — Unveils the Horizon Year edition with Urushi lacquer dial crafted by Japanese artisans, and announces increased production capacity at its Minase-machi workshop in Akita prefecture.
- 2026 — Debuts the Divido Tourbillon, the brand's first tourbillon watch, at Watches & Wonders 2026, combining traditional Japanese metalwork finishing with haute horlogerie.
Frequently Asked Questions about Minase
- What is Sallaz polishing?
- Sallaz polishing (also called Zaratsu) is a Japanese mirror-finishing technique requiring extreme skill. Minase applies it to every visible surface of its cases, creating distortion-free reflections across multiple flat facets.
- Are Minase watches entirely Japanese-made?
- Yes. Minase is one of very few brands producing entirely Japanese-made watches, from case manufacture and finishing to movement assembly, all done in Akita Prefecture.