Urushi Series SHIBO-URUSHI “DIVIDO ~Scarlet Illusion” Bracelet Model [VM14-M01KA1-SSB]

Red buried, then partially uncovered. To make the MINASE Urushi Series shibo-urushi dial “DIVIDO ~Scarlet Illusion,” layers of lacquer are built up and only some of the red beneath is ground back out, which is why the color appears to flicker rather than sit still.

MINASE calls the result an equilibrium of shiny black and flickering scarlet, with a depth that does not tire. Shibo-urushi gets there by texture instead of drawing: urushi is mixed with egg white so it sets in an intentional irregular relief, colored lacquers and nacre go over it, and the surface is finally polished flat. Maki-e, its counterpart in the JAPAN ART COLLECTION, does the reverse and draws a picture with sprinkled metal powder.

The DIVIDO case answers a restless dial with hard geometry: stainless steel, 40.6 mm square, 11 mm thick with the sapphire, its faceted planes each hand-polished to a mirror that holds its edges. On the MORE bracelet it weighs about 134 g, and that bracelet, like the case, comes apart to its links for hand re-polishing and rebuilding. Self-winding KT7002 calibre on a Swiss ETA 2892-A2 / Sellita SW300 base, finished by MINASE, with a date. 5 atm.

The boldest dial in the shibo-urushi group, and the one that changes most with the light.

Perfect for: red and black dial contrast, sculptural square cases, buyers seeking a bolder art piece.