Of all the countries with prominent watchmaking industries, it?s possible that Japan?s is least understood. There?s a mythology around Swiss, German, and even American watchmaking that transcends any particular brand, but for many ?Japanese watchmaking? is akin to saying ?Seiko? or ?G-SHOCK.? It?s unfair, for sure, as there are many interesting brands in the independent space making a name for themselves in Japan, and while it can be argued that Japanese brands share a certain sensibility when it comes to craftsmanship and quality, the aesthetc and design range is incredibly wide. Minase is one of my favorite examples of a brand that really illustrates this concept, as there?s a huge range within their own catalog, and they very much do their own thing while adhering to certain Japanese design and craft principles. Compare their execution of urushi lacquered dials to Seiko and you?ll begin to get the idea. Their newest release, the limited edition Horizon GEN DLC.
The Horizon is a classic Minase case shape with an elongated, rectangular profile. The design is inspired by the horizon line stretching over the sea, which you really pick up in the subtle curves of the midcase. Like all Minase cases, however, this one is deceptively complex, with plenty of facets and other flourishes that make it visually interesting and appealing from every angle. The curve of the crystal, for instance, follows the curve of the case, and the case and bracelet appear on the same plane,...