TIMELY DESIGNS
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia|June/July 2022
Watchmaking has a difficult relationship with design. All too often good wristwatch design ideas make for unworkable creations. Nevertheless, industrial designers are having a go at offering alternative visions of watchmaking - some of these might yet become icons
Joshua Sims
TIMELY DESIGNS

" I think what works about a collaboration like this is that it allows the watch brand to really go officially off-piste with its design," says Tej Chauhan, the industrial designer behind everything from cutlery to hair-dryers, and one of five selected to produce their take on Rado's True Square watch. "And I wanted a design that made people say 'f*** me, what's that?!', to pay attention and get talking.

There wasn't any point if the resulting watch wasn't different. It would just be another watch otherwise." That certainly cannot be said for Chauhan's design, with its 1960s sci-fi inflections and, most strikingly of all, the fact that the case and padded leather strap are in a brighter shade of yellow. That almost did not come off- up to the wire it looked as though Rado's engineers just could not make that bold shade without imperfections. But the result? The brand's ecomm best-seller in the US - it is also reportedly the most popular of this series in Singapore. "Maybe that makes for room for Rado to do other watches in a similar vein," says Chauhan.

It is the kind of collaborative success that - measured in excitement, if nothing else - has echoes back through watchmaking history over the second half of the 20th century and beyond. Many of the most innovative and/ or memorable watches have been the result of work not by watch designers who have only ever designed watches sometimes having worked their way up through the echelons of a single company - but of industrial designers versed in applying processes of ideation and a broad appreciation of materials and function turning their consideration to what a watch could be, aesthetically and functionally. Many of their new ideas would be borrowed by the more conventional, historical industry at large. Many of the watches would be called icons.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June/July 2022 من MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia.

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 June/July 2022 من MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia.

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 MEN'S FOLIO MALAYSIA مشاهدة الكل
Made For Modern Life
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

Made For Modern Life

The Volvo EX30 is the much-needed vehicle for a joyful and fuss-free ride.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
Eastern Charm
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

Eastern Charm

With a blazing display of KARLS Group's culinary bravura, the Upper House KL gives classic Asian flavours a modern twist.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
When Worlds Collide
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

When Worlds Collide

Where revered tradition meets unceasing imagination, Hennessy has teamed up with French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel for its latest collaboration.

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
The Watchlist
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

The Watchlist

Chronicling the finest timepieces and jewellery for those who appreciate the best.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Forged in Steel
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

Forged in Steel

Franck Muller celebrates Sincere Fine Watches’ 7Oth anniversary with avery special Vanguard.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Racing Through Time
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

Racing Through Time

Celebrating Rolex's timeless relationship with motor racing.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
A Man And His Watch
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

A Man And His Watch

Men's Folio Malaysia speaks to watch collectors about the first watch that drew them into the hobby.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
MIND THE GAP
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

MIND THE GAP

Millennial humour or Gen Z brain rot? While the online debate rages on, a closer look reveals that these two generations might be staring into the same mirror-realising they are not so different after all. So why does it seem like the two generations are always lost in translation?

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
Phases of Time
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

Phases of Time

In an exclusive interview with Men's Folio, Thai actor \"Blue\" Pongtiwat Tangwancharoen dons the iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso and speaks about the concept of time as well as his latest endeavours.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
GOING FOURTH
MEN'S FOLIO Malaysia

GOING FOURTH

Even in the third interview with Nattawat Jirochtikul — or Fourth — there is more to be discovered about the actor and singer-songwriter, and Men's Folio learns of how much he has changed from the teen who won a talent competition to the young adult he is today.

time-read
8 mins  |
October 2024