MINASE URUGA - A watch whose structure expresses the Japanese aesthetic of "beauty"

Among the MINASE collection, the model "URUGA" has a particularly unique structural beauty.

The name URUGA comes from the Japanese word "beautiful."

The word "beautiful" does not simply mean beautiful appearance.
It exudes elegance, nobility, and a sense of spiritual calm and tension all at once.

For example, it could be the quiet dignity emanating from the jewelry worn by royalty or the nobility that emanates from within a person with shining eyes.

MINASE expresses this uniquely Japanese aesthetic sense through its structure rather than decoration.

The idea of ​​designing a watch as a "jewel"

The essence of URUGA - clamping structure

The biggest feature of URUGA is its " Clamping Structure, " which is extremely rare worldwide.

This structure sandwiches the bezel, glass, and case body between four independent lug parts from above and below.

Most watches have a case and bezel that are either one piece or screwed together, but URUGA is different.

URUGA secures the watch in place with its structure, just like nails hold a jewel in place.

This structure can be said to be an application of jewellery stone setting techniques to watch case construction.

This is not just a design, but a clear structural concept.

The exterior is not a single piece, but rather is made up of multiple parts that maintain a sense of tension and balance.

This is exactly the same idea as the "kumiki structure" seen in Japanese architecture.

Polishing to control light - The meaning of Zaratsu polishing

The exterior parts of URUGA are finished with Zaratsu polishing, which is a symbol of MINASE.

The essence of Zaratsu polishing is not simply a mirror finish.

This is a technology that creates a "flat surface" that reflects light evenly.

Only a distortion-free flat surface can produce accurate light reflections.

This polishing gives URUGA's bezel, clamp parts, and case edges clear contours while also creating a smooth flow of light.

The simultaneous presence of sharp edges and soft curves is only possible thanks to this precise polishing.

The depth created by curved glass

The URUGA's windshield has a gentle vertical curve.

This is not just a design.

This curved surface serves to guide light inward rather than diffusing it.

The result is a sense of depth on the dial.

This is an effect that cannot be achieved with flat glass.

This curved structure is what gives the impression that your eyes are drawn into the dial.

A dial inspired by the Minase River: a silent expression of movement

The dial of the URUGA depicts the flow of the Minase River in Akita Prefecture, where the MINASE workshop is located.

The delicate gradation that flows horizontally is reminiscent of the flickering of light shining on the surface of water.

This is not just decoration, but a reproduction of natural movement.

The appearance changes depending on the angle of the light, giving the impression of movement to a dial that is supposed to be stationary.

This "quiet movement" is the essence of Japanese aesthetics.

Case curves to determine fit

The URUGA case is gently curved to fit the shape of your wrist.

This is not just a visual design, but also a design that optimizes the center of gravity balance when worn.

The quality of a watch is apparent the moment you put it on.

URUGA embodies beauty not only visually but also in how it feels when worn.

URUGA is not a designed watch

A watch made up of its structure

The essence of URUGA is not just superficial design.

The structure itself creates beauty.

Clamping structure, Zaratsu polishing, curved glass, multi-layered case, three-dimensional dial

All of these things exist out of necessity.

It is a result of construction, not decoration.

MINASE talks about "eternal beauty"

Most clocks are machines that display the time.

However, URUGA has a structure that allows it to exist beyond time.

It is not an eternal beauty,
It's a beauty that shows a new face every time you look at it.

Perhaps that is the essence of the word "beautiful."

CONTÉVANOU, an authorized watch and jewelry dealer