Minase x Fratello M-3 “White” Limited Edition

Third time’s a charm. The Minase x Fratello M-3 “Shiro” Limited Edition certainly is a charm. Fratello’s third interpretation of the M-3 makes this versatile model once again available outside of Japan, and it looks crisper and cooler than ever before. This time, the star is the clean and dynamic frosty white dial, thanks to its delicate construction and carefully applied Japanese lacquer. And touches of red and blue adorn the dial of this latest collaboration with the artisans at Minase. The result is a clean, subtle, comfortable and versatile watch with a great story to tell.

For their latest collaboration, M-3 “Shiro”, Fratello and Minase chose three iconic yet perfectly harmonious colors: white, red and blue. In addition to choosing the three specific tones, they also explored different structures to deepen the color effect. Most importantly, the watch looks cool. And “cool” is definitely a word that applies to the dial of the watch, hence the name “Shiro”.

Introducing the Minase × Fratello M-3 “Shiro” Limited Edition

In Japan, white, or “shiro”, is a highly symbolic color. Especially in Japanese Shintoism, white represents holiness and purity of body, mind and soul. As you can see in the photos, the dial is not just white, but also features a delicate embossed pattern finished with traditional Japanese lacquer. This combination creates a dynamic silvery-white dial that reflects light to create a very subtle sense of depth.

Color is also used on the dial of the Minase x Fratello M-3 “Shiro.” The elongated central second hand has a red tip. In Japanese culture, red is a symbol of good luck and happiness. If everyone needs good luck and happiness, why not incorporate that element into your watch? The deep red we chose is the exact same color as the circle on the Japanese flag, or “Hinomaru.” The color is vibrant, but not too strong or bright. It’s a small, subtle detail that goes almost unnoticed, but would be sorely missed without it.

A tribute to Japanese denim

You can’t miss the blue strap. Yes, you guessed it, it’s a tribute to Japanese denim. We have quite a few denim fans on the Fratello team, and Japanese denim is everyone’s favorite. Why? Because the craftsmanship, dedication, and passion that goes into Japanese denim is simply phenomenal. It works in a very similar way to fine watchmaking. Just like a mechanical watch, high-quality denim lasts a lifetime. Plus, denim only looks better and looks better as it ages. Jeans are a personal style statement that defines a person, just like a carefully chosen watch.

We didn’t want to take our love for denim too literally, so instead of a blue jean strap we went for a denim blue buffalo leather strap. Manufactured by LIC in Belgium, the strap is supple and comfortable. The curved ends follow the shape of the M-3’s case, giving it a great look and adding a touch of luxury to a watch with a sporty yet traditional quality.

The Minase × Fratello M-3 “Shiro” is a limited edition available for a limited time only.

Until Fratello’s first collaboration with Minase’s M-3 in 2022, the model was unknown outside of Japan. Following the limited editions of the purple “Very Peri” and green “Nori,” the M-3 “Shiro” once again flaunts a 39 x 10.5 mm steel case featuring the signature Zaratsu polishing that accentuates its clean lines. The watch is crafted in Minase’s atelier in Akita Prefecture. Fewer than 500 watches leave the atelier each year. The Minase x Fratello M-3 “Shiro” is a limited-time edition from a brand that essentially only makes limited watches. How exclusive is this?

The handmade M-3 “Shiro” embodies Japanese values, traditions and quintessential craftsmanship. At Minase, innovation meets hardworking craftsmanship. Our third partnership with Fratello on the M-3 has resulted in a meticulously crafted timepiece with a cool, clean look. It’s comfortable to wear, and has the added style advantage that the M-3 “Shiro”‘s cool look makes it a natural match for any outfit.

The 100m waterproof case houses a reliable automatic Sellita SW200-1 movement with a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. As you can see, the movement has been modified. The date display function has been removed. This is to ensure that the aperture does not ruin the perfect balance of the crisp and cool dial of the “Shiro”.

Once again, the Minase x Fratello M-3 “Shiro” is a limited edition available for a limited time only. The watch can be pre-ordered exclusively in the Fratello Shop from Tuesday, September 17th at 16:00 CEST. The pre-order period will end on Tuesday, September 24th at 16:00 CEST, and the price is 2,470 euros excluding tax.

If you want to know more about Minase, check out the brand’s official website To read about Minase on Fratello, check out the brand page here Also, if you want, sign up for our mailing list to receive notifications about this watch Finally, let us know in the comments what you think about this watch!

Watch Specifications