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Konstantinos Chamamtzis's Kratistos Wrist Watch commands immediate attention through its sophisticated chromatic interplay of deep matte black surfaces against warm cognac leather and brushed…

Kratistos Wrist Watch by Costis is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award in Watch Design Competition Category.


IronWatch· 2026

Kratistos Wrist Watch

by Costis

Client: Kratistos by Costis

A' Design Award Winner in Watch Category

9,928

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #176554

Colors

The Design

About Kratistos Wrist Watch

Kratistos is a wristwatch inspired by historical themes of leadership. Four sculpted lugs, shaped after lion fangs, join the leather strap to the case. The lugs hold the watch firmly on the wrist, add comfort and stop the case from rolling. The case is offered in stainless steel and titanium, with a French leather strap available in three sizes. A Swiss automatic movement, a double domed sapphire crystal and luminous indexes complete the design. Each edition is limited, and the lugs require careful artisanal work.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award

Kratistos Wrist Watch is an Iron A' Design Award winner, a prestigious recognition granted to good designs that meet the professional and industrial requirements expected from well-designed creations. Iron winners demonstrate great skill, high specialization, expert understanding, and creative capacity of their creators. Kratistos Wrist Watch is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished creation that is practical and innovative. This Iron A' Design Award-winning design integrates industry best practices and has competent technical characteristics linked with know-how and talent. Kratistos Wrist Watch is respected for its thoroughness and is designed to provide quality of life improvements that help make the world a better place.

Interviews

Design Interview

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

The KRATISTOS WATCH is based on the principle that a watch should not only measure time, but express identity and character. The inspiration comes from Alexander the Great, a historical figure whose legacy represents leadership, vision, and the idea of global influence. I imagined how such a personality would exist in the present day and what kind of object would reflect his presence. The result is a watch that transforms historical symbolism into contemporary design language, merging strength, precision, and meaning into a single object.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

The main focus was to create a watch with a strong conceptual identity that goes beyond aesthetics. I wanted to achieve a design where every element carries meaning, from structure to detailing, while maintaining clarity and elegance. The goal was to translate the idea of strength and leadership into form, proportion, and mechanical expression, creating a watch that feels both powerful and refined when worn.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

The KRATISTOS WATCH is part of a broader design ecosystem that evolves around identity-driven luxury objects. Future development focuses on expanding the concept into variations while maintaining its core philosophy of strength, simplicity, and symbolism. It is conceived as a limited edition of 323 pieces, referencing the year of Alexander’s death in 323 B.C., reinforcing its historical and collectible nature.

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Grand Interview

The lion's fang lugs of the Kratistos Wrist Watch represent one of the most striking fusions of functional engineering and royal symbolism in contemporary watch design, physically anchoring the strap to the wrist with a gesture that is simultaneously mechanical and metaphorical. What aspect of the Kratistos Wrist Watch are you most proud of, and how do you believe this particular achievement distinguishes the timepiece within the broader landscape of historically inspired horology?

What I am most proud of in the Kratistos Wrist Watch is the seamless fusion of symbolism and engineering. The lion’s fang lugs are the clearest expression of this philosophy. They are not decorative elements applied to the watch; they are structural components that secure the strap while embodying strength, sovereignty, and protection. In many historically inspired timepieces, symbolism is confined to engravings or visual references. In the Kratistos, symbolism becomes part of the architecture itself.What distinguishes the watch is that it does not simply replicate history. Rather than creating a piece that belongs in a museum, we sought to transform timeless ideals into a contemporary object meant to be worn and experienced. The lion’s symbolism of courage and authority is reinterpreted through modern craftsmanship and precision engineering. Every detail serves both a functional and symbolic purpose, creating a watch that honors heritage while establishing a distinct identity of its own.

Watch collectors and enthusiasts are increasingly drawn to timepieces that carry narrative depth alongside technical precision, and the Kratistos Wrist Watch speaks directly to this desire by embedding Macedonian history into every sculptural detail. How does the Kratistos Wrist Watch address this growing appetite for story-driven design, and in what ways do you believe its historical symbolism resonates differently across diverse cultural markets, from Greece to Asia and the Americas?

The Kratistos Wrist Watch answers the growing demand for story-driven design by integrating history directly into its architecture rather than treating it as decoration. Every element, from the lion’s fang lugs to the sculptural case, reflects ideals associated with Macedonian heritage—strength, leadership, vision, and excellence. Its symbolism resonates across cultures because it draws inspiration from Alexander the Great, one of history’s most recognized figures, whose influence extended from Greece to India and beyond. In Greece, the watch reflects cultural heritage and historical continuity, while in Asia and the Americas it speaks to universal themes of ambition, achievement, exploration, and the pursuit of greatness.

The research process behind the Kratistos Wrist Watch spanned museum visits, consultations with historians, archaeologists, and art curators, and attendance at international trade fairs across multiple continents, which is an unusually rigorous scholarly foundation for a wearable product. How did this depth of investigation shape specific design decisions within the Kratistos Wrist Watch, and in what way do you feel this approach to historically grounded design contributes to a broader cultural conversation about preserving and reinterpreting heritage through functional objects?

The extensive research behind the Kratistos Wrist Watch ensured that every design element was rooted in historical authenticity rather than superficial inspiration. The lion fang lugs are inspired by actual lion tooth remains discovered by archaeologists, while the bezel features the decorative motif of Alexander the Great's ceremonial shield, unearthed in Vergina, Greece. The seconds hand takes the form of the Sarissa, the legendary six-meter Macedonian spear that revolutionized ancient warfare and became one of the most formidable weapons of its era. Together, these historically significant elements are seamlessly integrated into a cohesive design that transforms heritage into a contemporary expression of strength, leadership, and excellence. Our goal was not to reproduce history, but to reinterpret it through contemporary watchmaking. By transforming heritage into a functional object worn every day, Kratistos encourages a living connection with the past, showing that cultural legacy can remain relevant, meaningful, and inspiring in the modern world.

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Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
The standout feature of Kratistos watch is how the leather strap integrates with the case. Four sculpted lugs, inspired by male lion fangs, a symbol of royalty, define its bold character. These fangs, both functional and symbolic, secure the watch to the wrist like the grasp of a lion, ensuring stability and comfort while preventing the case from rolling. Protected by an international patent, each edition is strictly limited.
Dimensions & Packaging
Case Diameter: 40mm, Length:56mm, Height: 11.50mm
Materials: Steel Case SST316L & Titanium2
Movement: Sellita SW300-1b, Automatic, Self-winding - 3 hands, 28'800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 25 jewels
Typical power reserve: up to 56 hours (Sellita specifications)
2-year guarantee
Water resistance 5 ATM
3 sizes leather strap with interchangeable pins & deployment clasp
Top sapphire crystal, double domed, with anti-reflection treatment
Case back with separate coin
Dial with Super-Luminova indexes
Hour & minute & red second hands
Limited Edition numbers 1/323
Swiss made
Tags
wrist watch, lion fangs, kratistos, grasp, lion, tiger, fits perfectly, to the strongest, lion bite
Production Technology
The fusion of history and function began with a hand-drawn sketch, leading to the meticulous prototype in 18K yellow gold crafted in Valenza, Italy. After extensive research, a partner in Biel, Switzerland was selected for production. The finished watch is offered in stainless steel and Titanium II, paired with a French-made leather strap. Each set of lugs requires meticulous artisanal effort, and the design supports diverse material combinations to suit individual tastes.
Design Challenge
Designing a historically inspired watch posed the risk of crossing into kitsch. Maintaining functional upgrades without compromising aesthetics presented a delicate balance, as even a millimeter of change could impact the overall look. Additionally, producing and adapting the titanium lugs to the case required intricate, multi-stage manufacturing techniques, making this aspect especially challenging.
Research
I conducted in depth qualitative research to create a watch perfectly suited to the character of its wearer. I explored the life of Alexander the Great in books, visited museums, and consulted historians, archaeologists, and art curators. Attending the Hong Kong Watch Fair and speaking to experts in Milan, New York, Los Angeles, and Shanghai broadened my insight. In Switzerland, I tackled the complex integration of the fangs, the royal symbol of power, into the case. My findings revealed a demand for simple yet pioneering products.
Inspiration
Few individuals in history have truly earned the title Great or are celebrated for their visionary approach to internationalization. Alexander the Great, undefeated in his lifetime, was revered during his era and has become a legendary figure admired by over half the world population. This made me wonder: if Alexander lived today and asked me to design a watch reflecting his qualities as a modern leader, how would I approach it?
Project Duration
The project started in Athens in June 2019, with the designs and European and international copyrights, was paused during the Corona virus period, and was completed in Biel in February 2025.
Operation Flow
Kratistos is a wristwatch inspired by history, engineered for functionality, and crafted with Swiss precision. Its adaptable design allows for a variety of materials, making it appealing across cultures. Interchangeable leather straps offer the wearer the freedom to personalize the watch, ensuring it reflects individual style and preference while maintaining exceptional craftsmanship and versatility.
Patents
DESIGN
1. WIPO, HAGUE, INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, DM/209372, 11 February 2020, Konstantinos Chamamtzis
2. China, Design Patent Certificate, No. of Authorized Announcement: CN 306188342 S, November 24, 2020, Konstantinos Chamamtzis
3. USA Design Patent, No US D934,701 S, Date: Nov.2, 2021, Konstantinos Chamamtzis
4. Government of India, The Patent Office, No.111655, 04/03/2020, Konstantinos Chamamtzis
5. UK, Intellectual Property Office (former EU member), Design Number 82093720001000, Renewed on 10 January 2025, Konstantinos Chamamtzis

LOGO
1. WIPO, MADRID, International registration No. 1551535 (A KRATISTOS), 09/03/2021. Published in the WIPO GAZETTE OF INTERNATIONAL MARKS No. 27/2020.
2.Greece, Secretary of Investment, ΕΞ 933 / 08-02-2021
3.Trademarks Registry, Government of India, International 1551535, India 4680033, 12/05/2021, Konstantinos Chamamtzis
4. Federal Service for International Property (Rospatent), 1551535, 16/12/2020, Konstantinos Chamamtzis
5.United States Patent and Trademark Office, Reg.
No. 6,413,694, Jul. 13, 2021, Konstantinos Chamamtzis
6.WIPO, MADRID, notification for the BERN Office 21/02/2022, Konstantinos Chamamtzis
Image Credits
1. Photographs, Nava Comunicazione di Domenico Festa, Milan, Italy
2. Video, Power Media Productions SA, Athens, Greece

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