Concepts And Consequences
WOW Singapore|Issue 70
What is the legacy of concept watches? What happens when the show is over and it is time to actually manufacture them? How do these ticking research labs translate into actual, wearable timepieces...if they ever do?
DAVID CHOKRON, ASHOK SOMAN
Concepts And Consequences

Like concept cars, concept watches are many things folded into one seductive and highly publicized object. They are life-sized laboratories for the public to see; showcases for future implementations of technology and style, and intended to be as desirable as they are unavailable. Unlike concept cars, though, their watch equivalents have been awfully scarce, especially in an industry where a set of key players pride themselves on innovating. In the past 20 years, arguably the most exciting, stimulating, and innovative era in watchmaking history, there have been but a handful. Which makes them all the more significant. Some have been introduced as such, near prototypes introducing many new features, sprucing up the brand's profile. Others have denied being such creatures and released as products, only for the community to find out they were not ready to be mass produced. And some others still, shown under the shroud of secrecy, were never released. After the glamorous presentations are over, a concept watch can have various destinies. It sometimes becomes a product, which includes some degree of the original's technical creativity. Or it can be so advanced its author brand ends up being unable to materialize it in enduring form, especially as far as reliability is concerned. This is the story of a handful of these projects, with outcomes as diverse as the technologies and achievements they introduced.

LOW RISKS, HIGH REWARDS

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 70 من WOW Singapore.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 70 من WOW Singapore.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WOW SINGAPORE مشاهدة الكل
BUOYANT HEAVYWEIGHTS
WOW Singapore

BUOYANT HEAVYWEIGHTS

The ubiquitous use of titanium and carbon fibre does not satisfy a growing number of watch lovers; the indisputable rise of quiet design vexes them. The recent release of hefty and heavy timepieces, especially in the dive watch segment, proves that some just like it big

time-read
7 mins  |
Legacy 2024
YEN FOR PRECISION
WOW Singapore

YEN FOR PRECISION

While we typically think of watchmaking as a Swiss matter, this ignores the powerful contributions of Japanese industry and know-how. We begin this deep dive with a look at the biggest names in the game

time-read
10+ mins  |
Legacy 2024
LEGENDARY DEPTHS
WOW Singapore

LEGENDARY DEPTHS

From pioneering chronographs to revolutionizing dive watches, Longines has always been at the forefront of horological advancements. Explore how the Swiss brand's journey through water-resistance shaped the future of dive watches-and made a splash in the process

time-read
10+ mins  |
Legacy 2024
LEAPING AHEAD
WOW Singapore

LEAPING AHEAD

IWC updates the perpetual calendars in its Portugieser range with four new models

time-read
5 mins  |
Legacy 2024
HOLDING THE HIGH GROUND
WOW Singapore

HOLDING THE HIGH GROUND

Chanel's 2024 collection represents a rare moment where haute couture and haute horlogerie coexist perfectly

time-read
8 mins  |
Legacy 2024
SARTORIAL TIMING
WOW Singapore

SARTORIAL TIMING

Parmigiani Fleurier encourages us to take a second, and perhaps third, look at the new Toric collection of watches

time-read
3 mins  |
Legacy 2024
LEFT HAND DRIVE
WOW Singapore

LEFT HAND DRIVE

The DOXA SUB 300T Aristera is a tribute to the brand's heritage in dive watches, combining the original design with a left-handed twist for 2024, offering the standout features that made DOXA renowned while breaking new ground in functionality

time-read
2 mins  |
Legacy 2024
LIVING HISTORY
WOW Singapore

LIVING HISTORY

A. Lange & Söhne has spent the better part of this year celebrating the 25th anniversary of the seminal Datograph. With the Datograph Handwerkskunst, the watch is elevated to the highest level

time-read
3 mins  |
Legacy 2024
THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION
WOW Singapore

THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION

Since its inception, Rolex has never wavered in its pledge to create the world's finest watches for anyone, anywhere

time-read
4 mins  |
Legacy 2024
SWEET SPOT
WOW Singapore

SWEET SPOT

The Longines Legend Diver is just the right amount of watch for a contemporary sports model that could also pull dress watch duties

time-read
2 mins  |
Legacy 2024