Switzerland has its fair share of breathtaking landscapes, but when it comes to translating the beauty of nature into watch design, Japan dominates the industry.
Grand Seiko is the first name that comes to mind in the genre, and Citizen is often underappreciated in the field. However, Minase is a small watchmaker founded in 2005, creating dials as stunning as any in Japan.
Minase collaborated with Tokyo-based artist Towa Takaya to create the Yusai dial collection, which evokes the ever-changing flow of colors in specific natural environments.
Takaya creates original pigments by collecting natural substances from around Japan, like soil, plants and minerals, to recreate the intricate palettes of specific locations. As the brand explains, “Her paintings are an ode to nature, exploring delicate color spectrums and subtle gradations.”
The Yusai collection comprises three of Minase’s existing models, each with its own dial design. It includes the 32mm rectangular 5 Windows, the 38mm rectangular 7 Windows and the 40mm round Divido.
Minase hand-assembles every watch in its workshop located in the cold, mountainous Akita Prefecture. All three Yusai watches are powered by the same ETA caliber 2892-A2 automatic movement, and the steel cases are finished with the brand’s Sallaz hand-polishing technique.
