In an era of mass-produced timepieces, one Japanese manufacturer deliberately keeps production under 600 watches per year. That quiet restraint has made Minase a name whispered among serious collectors rather than shouted through advertising campaigns. Based in northern Japan, Minase is a boutique watchmaker that prioritizes hand-finishing, structural integrity, and long-term durability over scale or visibility. While many luxury brands measure success in tens of thousands of units, Minase defines success by how few watches it needs to make to uphold its standards.
This scarcity naturally leads enthusiasts to ask what are Minase watches production numbers every year, and more importantly, why those numbers remain so low. The answer reveals far more than simple output figures—it uncovers a philosophy rooted in Japanese monozukuri, where craftsmanship, precision, and pride guide every decision.
Historical Production Evolution
Minase’s production history reflects a slow and intentional trajectory:
2005–2010
Fewer than 300 watches annually. During this period, Minase served almost exclusively the Japanese domestic market.
2011–2017
Production increased gradually to 300–500 pieces per year as the brand refined its designs and processes.
2018–2020
Output crossed the 500-piece mark following international expansion.
2021–2025
Stable production between 500 and 600 watches annually, representing roughly 50% growth since global distribution began.
2025 milestone
Minase’s 20th anniversary year, with production standing at approximately 600 units.
Collectors researching what are Minase watches production numbers every year often find this consistency reassuring—growth without compromise.
Production by Model Collection
Minase does not concentrate output on a single model. Instead, production is distributed across several collections:
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Divido (flagship round model)
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Horizon
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Seven Windows
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Five Windows
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Limited editions and masterpiece series
Limited editions, often capped at 50–100 pieces, significantly impact yearly totals. A single anniversary edition can account for over 10% of annual production.
Workforce Context
Minase employs fewer than 20–25 skilled craftsmen, each trained in multiple disciplines. Every watch is hand-assembled from start to finish in Minase village, Akita Prefecture, northern Japan. This small team defines the brand’s natural production ceiling.
WHY MINASE PRODUCES SO FEW WATCHES
The Monozukuri Philosophy
At the heart of Minase lies monozukuri, the Japanese philosophy of making things with spirit, discipline, and pride. This mindset prioritizes mastery and refinement over speed or scale. Minase production is guided by this belief, ensuring every watch reflects generations of manufacturing wisdom.
Sallaz Polishing Time Requirements
One of Minase’s most time-consuming processes is Sallaz polishing, a technique originally developed for Swiss haute horlogerie. A single Divido model on a bracelet requires 479 individual processes, with more than 15 hours dedicated solely to polishing.
Only a handful of watchmakers worldwide still use true Sallaz polishing because it cannot be automated or rushed. This alone caps how many cases Minase can finish annually.
Complex Case-in-Case Architecture
Minase’s signature Divido case consists of 17 separate components, assembled using the brand’s MORE (Minase Original Rebuild Equation) construction. Every part can be disassembled, serviced, and reassembled, demanding micron-level tolerances and patient assembly.
Hand-Crafted Dial Work
Many Minase dials are miniature works of art, incorporating:
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Urushi lacquer made from native tree sap
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Maki-e techniques using gold and silver powders
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Electroforming for depth and texture
The brand frequently collaborates with Japanese artists such as Towa Takaya, adding further time and complexity.
Quality Control Standards
Minase adheres to HiZ certification standards, aiming for 100-year durability. Cases, bracelets, and straps are produced in-house, allowing no shortcuts. Every watch is inspected multiple times before leaving the atelier.
COMPARING MINASE TO OTHER BOUTIQUE WATCHMAKERS
When viewed globally, Minase’s numbers are striking:
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Minase: 500–600 pieces/year
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F.P. Journe: ~900 pieces/year
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Philippe Dufour: 5–8 pieces/year
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MB&F: 300–400 pieces/year
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H. Moser & Cie: 1,500–2,000 pieces/year
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Grand Seiko: 30,000+ pieces/year
Minase occupies a rare “micro-independent” niche. It is more exclusive than many Swiss independents while remaining far smaller than mainstream luxury brands.
Despite prices typically ranging from CHF 4,000 to 30,000, Minase offers scarcity comparable to watches costing three to ten times more. This unique positioning makes the brand especially attractive to collectors seeking authenticity rather than status signaling.
IMPACT ON COLLECTORS AND AVAILABILITY
Market Availability
Minase’s limited production naturally results in a tightly controlled retail network. Within Japan, the brand maintains approximately 35 authorized points of sale, primarily concentrated in major cities and regions with a strong appreciation for independent watchmaking. Internationally, distribution is intentionally selective, with only a handful of retailers in key global hubs such as Bern, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. This ensures that every retailer is knowledgeable about the brand and capable of supporting its long-term service philosophy.
For collectors outside Japan, Minase’s official webshop plays a critical role, offering direct access to current models. Today, international sales account for roughly 50% of Minase’s annual output, reflecting the brand’s growing global recognition while still preserving its boutique identity.
Waiting Times and Allocation
Despite its scarcity, Minase does not operate like many mass-luxury brands that rely on extended waitlists to drive demand. Most core collection models can be purchased without long delays, and in some cases, watches are available on a made-to-order basis. That said, production limits mean allocations are small, especially outside Japan.
Limited editions are a different story. These releases are often produced in tightly capped runs and can sell out rapidly. A notable example is a recent 77-piece anniversary edition, which was fully allocated within weeks of launch, underscoring the brand’s growing appeal among informed collectors.
Secondary Market Implications
Minase’s low production volume has a stabilizing effect on the secondary market. Pre-owned pieces appear infrequently, largely because owners tend to hold onto their watches. When they do surface, prices often remain close to retail, reflecting both scarcity and consistent demand.
Interestingly, Minase’s relative lack of mainstream brand recognition creates an opportunity. Collectors who discover the brand early often acquire watches with high craftsmanship and long-term value before broader market awareness potentially drives prices higher.
D. Future Production Outlook
Since 2018, Minase has increased production by approximately 50%, driven mainly by international expansion. However, this growth has been measured and deliberate. The brand has repeatedly emphasized that any future increase in output will be gradual and aligned with its craftsmanship standards. For collectors, this signals continuity: Minase’s identity will remain defined by quality, authenticity, and restraint rather than volume-driven expansion.
PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS AND FACILITY DETAILS
Manufacturing Location
Minase watches are crafted in Minase village, Akita Prefecture, roughly 600 kilometers north of Tokyo. This remote setting, surrounded by the Yuzawa Mountains, is far removed from the industrial hubs typically associated with luxury watchmaking. The factory’s location beneath elevated railway tracks is more than a curiosity—it reflects the region’s deep-rooted manufacturing culture, where precision metalwork and tooling have long been part of daily life. Minase is not a purpose-built luxury campus; it is an authentic workshop environment shaped by decades of practical engineering.
The brand’s parent company, Kyowa, founded in 1963, established its operations in this region to support Japan’s industrial tooling sector. That legacy still defines Minase today, grounding its watchmaking in functional precision rather than decorative excess.
Infrastructure Limitations
Minase’s production facility is intentionally compact, and that physical size directly limits output. The workshop houses only a small number of Sallaz polishing machines—rare, specialized tools that require expert handling and constant calibration. These machines are not easily sourced or replicated, and each one can only process a limited number of cases per day.
Equally restrictive is the human element. Under the monozukuri system, artisans are trained slowly and comprehensively, often mastering multiple skills before working independently. This apprenticeship-style development can take years, meaning Minase cannot simply hire and scale production to meet demand. Any increase in output must align with the availability of properly trained craftsmen, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to quality over quantity.
Material Sourcing
While Minase uses Swiss ETA movements as a reliable foundation, these calibers are carefully modified and regulated in-house to meet the brand’s performance standards. Beyond the movement, Minase maintains an unusually high level of internal production. Cases and bracelets are machined, finished, and assembled on-site, while leather straps are also produced in-house to ensure consistency and durability.
Traditional Japanese materials play an important role as well. Urushi lacquer, harvested from native trees, is used in select dials, requiring long curing times and specialized techniques. These material choices further slow production but reinforce Minase’s identity as a maker rooted in heritage, craftsmanship, and long-term value rather than speed or volume.
WHAT MAKES MINASE’S LOW PRODUCTION UNIQUE
Not Just Marketing
Minase’s limited production is not a branding tactic designed to manufacture hype—it is the unavoidable outcome of how the watches are made. Unlike some luxury brands that deliberately cap numbers to create artificial scarcity, Minase is constrained by real-world factors. Every case undergoes extensive hand-finishing, particularly Sallaz polishing, which cannot be automated or accelerated without compromising quality. Artisan availability is another hard limit: the brand relies on a small, highly trained team whose skills take years to develop. Add to this the meticulous, multi-stage assembly process, and production naturally remains low. In short, scarcity at Minase is earned through effort, not engineered by marketing departments.
Vertical Integration at Micro Scale
What truly sets Minase apart is the depth of vertical integration achieved at such a small scale. Very few independent watchmakers—especially outside Switzerland—control as much of their manufacturing process internally. Minase benefits directly from its parent company, Kyowa, a precision tool manufacturer founded in 1963. Kyowa’s long-standing expertise in ultra-precise components, including step drills and metalworking tools, translates into exceptional case construction and finishing. This heritage allows Minase to machine, polish, assemble, and service its cases in-house, something even many larger luxury brands outsource. For collectors, this level of control signals authenticity, consistency, and long-term reliability.
Price-to-Exclusivity Ratio
Minase occupies a rare sweet spot in modern watchmaking. With most models priced between CHF 3,000 and 12,000, the brand delivers a level of exclusivity typically associated with far more expensive haute horlogerie names. Annual production numbers comparable to elite independents—yet at a fraction of their cost—create an unusually strong value proposition. Collectors are not paying for inflated marketing budgets or celebrity endorsements; they are investing directly in craftsmanship, finishing, and scarcity. This makes Minase especially appealing to seasoned enthusiasts who prioritize substance over brand recognition.
Built for Longevity
Minase does not design watches for trends or short ownership cycles. Every model is conceived with a 100-year lifespan in mind. The brand’s proprietary MORE (Minase Original Rebuild Equation) structure allows complete disassembly and reassembly, ensuring long-term serviceability. Backed by Kyowa’s commitment to lifetime maintenance, Minase watches are built not just to be worn, but to be passed down—an increasingly rare promise in modern watchmaking.
Final Thoughts
Minase produces approximately 500–600 watches per year, a figure that has grown modestly yet meaningfully over two decades. For collectors asking what are Minase watches production numbers every year, the answer reveals far more than supply—it reflects a philosophy rooted in patience, pride, and precision.
As a genuine micro-independent, Minase offers scarcity comparable to haute horlogerie while maintaining accessible pricing. Its limited output is not marketing theater but the natural result of hand-crafted excellence and vertical integration at a small scale.
For collectors seeking exclusive Japanese watchmaking with long-term value, Minase represents a rare opportunity. Explore the collections through official channels, visit authorized retailers, or consider joining allocation lists for future limited editions before these quietly exceptional watches disappear into private collections.
FAQs
1: How many Minase watches are made each year?
About 500–600 watches annually as of 2025, reflecting strict hand-crafted production limits.
2: Has Minase production increased over time?
Yes. Output has grown over 50% since 2018, rising from under 300 pieces to around 600 yearly.
3: Why does Minase make so few watches?
Each watch requires extensive hand-polishing, artisan assembly, and small-team craftsmanship.
4: Where can I buy a Minase watch?
Through the official webshop, 35+ Japanese retailers, and select international boutiques.
5: Are Minase watches hard to get?
They’re more accessible than waitlisted luxury brands, though limited editions sell quickly.
