Silver Watch Design · 2025
Flux Quadras Wristwatch
by Albert Lai and Jayson De Castro
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Watch Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Flux Watches
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 37,253
- Verification code A5D4F25B7E · Verify this award
About Flux Quadras Wristwatch
Flux Quadras is a mechanical wristwatch with an integrated bracelet. The layered case and seamless bracelet create a floating effect. The multi-layered dial has floating hour markers and a patterned backdrop for depth and clarity. The case is made of 904L stainless steel with an 800HV hardness coating, and measures 40mm in width and 12.5mm in height. A Swiss-made La Joux Perret G101 automatic movement is wound by wrist motion. The tool-less bracelet uses a patent-pending Nano-Adjust clasp that adapts passively for comfort.
Flux Quadras Wristwatch by Albert Lai and Jayson De Castro exemplifies a distinguished approach to contemporary timepiece design that synthesizes mid-century modern sensibilities with current material and manufacturing capabilities. The tonneau case form, historically associated with elegant dress watches from the early twentieth century, receives fresh interpretation through the designers' masterful handling of surface transitions and proportional relationships. The satin-brushed finishing across the case's primary planes demonstrates accomplished metalwork, with the grain direction following the case contours to emphasize its sculptural dimensionality, while precisely executed polished chamfers introduce controlled moments of brilliance that articulate the form's geometry. The dial treatment merits particular attention for its chromatic sophistication, the sunburst blue finish creating an illusion of infinite depth that transforms with viewing angle and lighting conditions, suggesting both celestial expanses and the mysterious depths of ocean waters. This color choice positions the timepiece within established horological conventions while achieving distinctive presence through the intensity and quality of the finish. The applied indices and hands exhibit refined proportional calibration, their mass and length carefully balanced to ensure legibility while maintaining visual elegance. The integrated bracelet design represents perhaps the most ambitious aspect of the composition, its seamless visual flow from case to clasp suggesting the watch as unified sculptural object rather than assembled components. Such integration demands precise engineering coordination and demonstrates the designers' holistic vision. The viewer might consider how this timepiece negotiates the tension between timeless classical references and contemporary design language, achieving synthesis rather than mere quotation of historical forms.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Flux Quadras has a layered case and seamless bracelet create a floating effect, ensuring comfort and continuity. The multi-layered dial features floating markers and a patterned backdrop for depth and clarity. Made with durable materials like 904L steel and powered by a Swiss La Joux Perret G101 movement, it offers the first of its kind tool-less adjustment bracelet with patent-pending Nano-Adjust clasp with passive size adjustment for the most comfortable wrist wearing experience.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The Quadras case measures 40mm in width, 41mm lug-to-lug, and 12.5mm in height, offering a balanced wrist presence. The bracelet starts at 26mm at the end link and tapers to 20mm for ergonomic comfort. Crafted from 904L stainless steel with an 800HV hardness coating
- Tags
- Flux Quadras,, 904L stainless steel, Swiss-made movement, La Joux Perret G101, tool-less bracelet, Nano-Adjust, peripheral rotor, floating hour markers, luxury sports watch, integrated bracelet
- Production Technology
- The Quadras stands out with a first-of-its-kind completely tool-less bracelet, innovative engineering, and refined aesthetics. Unlike most watches crafted from 316L stainless steel, it uses 904L stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance and a richer sheen. Its Swiss-made custom La Joux Perret G101 movement features skeletonized bridges, an Airblade peripheral rotor, and floating hour markers for added depth. The bracelet offers a quick-release system, toolless links, and a patent-pending Nano-Adjust clasp that adapts passively for comfort.
- Design Challenge
- The Quadras is our statement that the same manufacturers behind collectible watches can achieve high horology. We pushed them beyond stock catalogs to create a unique design. Developing the first-of-its-kind fully tool-less bracelet required overcoming engineering challenges. Our patent-pending Nano-Adjust clasp allows users to fine-tune bracelet tension for optimal comfort. Communication was a hurdle, as all partners collaborated entirely online, refining in real-time via prototyping and mobile 3D design.
- Project Duration
- The project started in 2024 in Aruba and California, United States. It is ongoing.
- Operation Flow
- It is a mechanical wristwatch. It is an automatic movement so it winds up more power with wrist motion.
- Research
- Our design research for the Flux Quadras focused on material innovation, wearability, and user experience. Using direct prototyping, 3D modeling, and mechanical simulations, we tested structural integrity and ergonomics. Feedback from collectors guided refinements. This research led to our patent-pending Nano-Adjust clasp and the novel invention of our tool-less links, improving real-world comfort and setting new industry standards in accessibility and design longevity.
- Inspiration
- The Flux Quadras was inspired by a shared passion for watches between myself, a lifelong enthusiast, and my partner, a YouTube watch reviewer. We connected through an online forum, united by a desire to create more than just a collection. Our goal was to craft a watch that dared to innovate, introducing features not seen before at an accessible price. The Quadras embodies our vision of blending originality, practicality, and timeless design, redefining value in the luxury market.
- Patents
- Pending patent
Serial Number: 18/943,471
Filing date: November 11, 2024
U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 98/765,376
Nano Adjust
U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 98/690,949
Flux