Urushi Series SHIBO-URUSHI “DIVIDO ~Golden Flux” Rubber Model [VM14-RBKKA3-SSD]

Black rubber makes gold behave differently. On this MINASE Urushi Series shibo-urushi “DIVIDO ~Golden Flux,” the strap gives back nothing at all, leaving the dial's gold to do every bit of the reflecting.

The artwork is MINASE's own phrase made literal: gold swaying and spreading across strained shibo-urushi. The technique thickens lacquer with egg white so it sets in an intentional, crinkled relief, then colors it and grinds it flat, so the flow appears from within the layers. It is the abstract counterpart to maki-e, which draws a picture with sprinkled metal powder, and MINASE states that the pattern is slightly different on every piece because each is made by hand.

The DIVIDO case is stainless steel, 40.6 mm square, 11 mm thick including its sapphire, and about 91 g on the black rubber strap. Its four lugs stand above the case in a partition structure that splits the upper and lower halves; MINASE built the exterior around its MORE system, so the case can be fully taken apart, re-polished and reassembled for as long as it exists. The self-winding KT7002 calibre, built on a Swiss ETA 2892-A2 / Sellita SW300 base and finished by MINASE, shows the date. 5 atm.

Light, dark and quietly gilded, for someone who would rather not fuss over a work of art.

Perfect for: everyday wear art dials, black rubber strap automatics, buyers who want gold without polish.