URUGA 42 Rubber Model [UG03-RBKNGR-SSD]

Green on black rubber is the URUGA 42 at its least ceremonious, which is a useful thing for a watch this carefully machined to be able to do.

MINASE is a small operation in Ugo-machi, Akita, where watches are hand-assembled from hand-crafted components and are essentially made to order. The URUGA 42 is one of two sizes launched in 2023 on a clamping structure: rather than a bezel bolted flat over the case, four voluminously cut and elaborately faceted clasps hold the case and the sapphire crystal together, echoing the way prongs secure a gemstone. Between the facets, Sallaz hand-polishing raises flat mirror surfaces that meet at edges left deliberately sharp.

The green dial reads deep and slightly restless thanks to the horizontal gradation the line takes from the Minase River, and black rubber lets the color do the work without competing for attention. The case is steel, 42.0 mm wide, 48.0 mm long including the lugs, and 10.2 mm thick with the slightly curved crystal. The self-winding MINASE calibre KT7002 runs the hands and date, built on a Swiss ETA 2892 and Sellita SW300 base and finished in Akita.

Water resistance of 5 atm means rain and spray rather than swimming. It suits someone who wants craft-level finishing on a watch they can wear on a Saturday.

Perfect for: green dial watch shoppers, casual rubber strap automatics, buyers seeking hand-made Japanese watches.