This simple stainless steel tool-watch was built and designed from the inside out.

Its outward appearance, which some might refer to as ‘design’, was the result of all the features it needed to contain in order to be useful for the task at hand.

A simple black dial with contrasting tritium markers for maximum readability. Dots on the hours, rectangles on the three, six and nine and a single triangular marker at the twelve o’clock spot. A trademark waterproof case and screw down crown enclose its durable workhorse movement. The ubiquitous stainless steel bracelet and black rotating bezel with minute markers firmly hug the wrist and set the time to take your daily dive into The Mediterranean. Nothing unnecessary or frivolous was added solely for aesthetic reasons. Just a carefully placed crown, for the informed observer’s eye. How it is made and what it is made of make the design itself.

That and iterations. Years and years of microscopic iterations, carried out with only perfection in mind. Allegedly taking more than one year to built one.

Why this post in what’s essentially an architectural journal? Well, we couldn’t explain our philosophy better than with this analogy as there is a thin line between over and under doing it.

As years went by the initial lean time-machine concept was replaced with a bigger ‘wrist presence’ in making its case, crown, bezel and markers significantly bigger and bolder without adding any intrinsic value. Some claim they were functional improvements, but really?

This ‘design bloat’ reminds us to keep coming back to the drawing table to refine, revise and review our daily design decisions.

Ad Infinitum.

Credits:
Rolex Submariner 5512 as worn by Steve McQueen, Photo: Man’s Fine Life