HORIZON Mid Leather Model [VM06-C02SD-KCR]

Thirty-six point eight millimeters is not a compromise size. On the MINASE HORIZON Mid it is the size at which the case-in-case construction reads clearly without any of it feeling crowded.

MINASE launched the HORIZON Mid in 2017, carrying the design of the larger HORIZON into a reduced case: the same domed sapphire, the same hollow along the case flank that the brand compares to a Japanese sword edge, the same separation of case and lugs into individual polished parts. Sallaz hand-polishing does the finishing, a discipline that originated in Switzerland and was revived by MINASE at its Akita workshop, and its whole purpose is a mirror with no distortion in the reflection.

This is the plain leather-strap reference, without stone setting. The case measures 36.8 mm wide, 45.6 mm long including the lugs and 12.0 mm thick, and on leather the watch weighs about 73 grams, the lightest configuration in the HORIZON Mid range. The crystal is sapphire with a non-reflective coating, with a sapphire display back behind. The movement is the self-winding MINASE calibre KT8001, a Swiss ETA 2671 and Sellita SW100 base finished by MINASE, with a date.

Water resistance is 5 atm, which covers weather and washing rather than swimming. It slips under a shirt cuff without argument.

Perfect for: smaller dress watch buyers, leather strap automatic watch shoppers, anyone looking for a hand-finished watch under 37 mm.