Evaluate (with Video): the Minase Divido Urushi

Dial

A novel facet of the Divido, and different Minase watches, is how the dial and motion combine with the case. The motion holder is a part of the case and is actually a pillow-shaped capsule suspended at its corners. The dial is the highest of this capsule however can be a three-dimensional development that reaches down its sides. Since there may be area left round parts of the capsule, you may see this development. Very like the outer case, a element we take with no consideration as one thing comparatively easy, made fairly advanced.

Wanting from the highest the dial seems as three distinct areas: the middle, the outer ring, and the utilized markers. The middle space is generally flat, save a large bevel alongside its edge giving it a slight pie-pan look. What’s most notable, nevertheless, is just not the form, however the materials and shade. This part is copper, coated in Urushi lacquer with a deep crimson tone. Derived from the sap of the Urushi tree, it’s pigmented after which hand-painted onto the floor by an artisan. Earlier than drying, a silver powder is utilized in a course of known as Maki-e. The floor is then rigorously polished, making the silver sparkle.

There are two methods to have a look at this floor. One is just an aesthetic element of a gnarly watch. The biggest single uninterrupted floor of the watch (ignoring the crystal), it creates a second of reprieve from the aspects, angles, and edges of the case and the entire surrounding elements. It’s the attention of the storm, and it’s wanted to provide you a spot to focus. It is sensible, then, that it will be extra than simply merely printed. The Urushi Maki-e is delicate, tasteful, and charming in a approach that solely one thing created by hand may be.

The opposite is as a conceptual counterpoint to the remainder of the design. Although impressed by conventional Japanese crafts, the ensuing aesthetic of the Divido is trendy and edgy (actually). The Urushi Maki-e is a conventional craft proven in a reasonably literal approach. It’s old-meets-new, however when different manufacturers combine one thing conventional right into a watch, they have a tendency to make the general aesthetic extra traditional to satisfy the custom. Right here, Minase makes use of custom to help a contemporary design.

Earlier than shifting on, it’s value speaking about what’s prone to be a controversial element that merely can’t be seemed over: the date window. “Window” truly downplays the realm, because it’s a stable area of the dial. The Urushi plate has a wedge minimize out from 2.5 to three.5, giving it a sort-of PACMAN silhouette. Beneath is a gloss black floor in addition to an arcing date window exhibiting the present date, and the date on both facet. Moreover, there’s a small arrow pointing to the middle date, implying that that ought to be set to present.

Usually talking, on different watches, I’ve tended to not like multi-date or altimeter model date home windows. They draw an excessive amount of consideration to the date, and if I do know the present day, I’m fairly positive I can determine what day got here earlier than and what’s subsequent. So, when a traditional window would suffice, I don’t like them. On the Divido, a traditional window wouldn’t work. It simply would have seemed too plain or under-designed in an surroundings the place every little thing has been thought of. My situation of not needing the arc continues to be true, however I don’t dislike, from a purely visible consideration, the way it seems with the watch. It attracts a variety of consideration, but it surely in some way doesn’t really feel misplaced.

Transferring from the surface in, the utilized markers should not utilized in any respect, however fairly a claw-like construction that comes up, across the sides of the motion capsule, virtually as if they’re pinning the dial floor down. The markers lengthen throughout a chasm that separates the dial/motion capsule from the internal wall of the case, as if they’re the factors of suspension. Every marker angles away, creating extra dimensionality, and options numerous aspects and particulars, together with a white, however not-lumed, line down their middle. Nothing is easy.

Okay, properly the outer ring is comparatively easy by comparability. A black ring, it seperates the Urushi from the claws, and is a degree down as properly, including depth. On the ring, which has a barely brushed textured, are white marks for the minutes. Given the quantity of thought put into each element on the watch, this execution virtually feels too easy, or maybe typical, but it surely does present some primary legibility. Off the wrist, the gaps between this space and the case are extra seen, making a backlit impact when held up. On, nevertheless, it’s exhausting to note.

Lastly, the hour and minute arms are extra in direction of the traditional facet of issues, however extremely detailed and executed fantastically. They each function slender shapes which can be dauphine-like, however with squared tips about both facet. Each are brushed down their facilities with mirror sharpening alongside their edges, in addition to lume strips. The minute hand is for much longer than the hour, virtually hitting the inside of the case, and is dramatically curved to match the form of the dial. The seconds hand is skinny and polished with a gently flared counterweight and a crimson tip. Over the central pinion is a sophisticated cap, which I really like.

The lume on the arms exists, however not way more. It’s not vibrant, and the shortage of lume on the dial is a bit disappointing, particularly contemplating there may be white paint one expects ought to glow on the dial.