Minase History – From toolmaker to watchmaker

Kyowa Co., Ltd

MINASE went from toolmaker to watchmaker. It is a brand of Kyowa Co., Ltd., a cutting tool manufacturer founded in 1963. The company first handled precision drills for metal machining and its expertise in drill manufacturing and metal cutting quickly caught the attention of watch manufacturers worldwide.

A Japanese Manufacture

Kyowa then started producing drills that could make a crown hole at one time. Taking advantage of its original step drills, Kyowa entered the watch manufacturing industry and started the business of manufacturing watchcases in parallel of the tool business. With every passing day, Kyowa gained more experience in the industry and the brand came to produce increasingly complicated watches.

Later, Kyowa started to manufacture cases and crowns not only for mass-produced watches, but also for high-quality ones, including those of world-famous watch manufacturers. High-quality watches require high-precision machining and fine finishing. Kyowa mastered intricate polishing techniques. Beginning by doing work for others, Kyowa’s pride as a tool manufacturer eventually drove it to become an expert watchmaker. Thus, Kyowa expanded its watch business from drilling to case cutting/forging, bracelet manufacturing, and polishing.

Luxury watch brand Minase

In 2005, Kyowa decided to establish its own « dream brand », MINASE. The name comes from the place where the workshop is located, in Akita Prefecture. The snowy, remote location of Minase geographically restricts its residents, but it also increases their patience, which is essential for artisans. Having developed excellent tools and jigs, manufacturing expertise, and skilled craftsmen, Kyowa decided that with MINASE they would create their ideal watches, ones that could be treasured for more than 100 years. This is how MINASE was born.

Minase and H-Development for international distribution

For more than 10 years, Minase was sold exclusively in Japan. In 2017, the brand decided to expand internationally and partnered with H-Development in Switzerland. H-Development now takes care of Minase’s communication and commercial development at an international level.