Press Release
Raymond Jones Is Honored with the Bronze A' Design Award for Aurora of Arthur Automatic Wristwatch in Watch Design
Raymond Jones honored for watch design by the international grand jury of the 2023 - 2024 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 28, 2024 /DesignNewswire/ Aurora of Arthur Automatic Wristwatch by Raymond Jones, designed for Valimor, has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Watch Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The award was conferred within the 2023 - 2024 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
The Bronze A' Design Award Explained
The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Regarding Aurora of Arthur Automatic Wristwatch
Aurora of Arthur is an automatic wristwatch inspired by the legend of King Arthur. The dial is made from natural mother-of-pearl, so each piece shows a unique pattern with a subtle fume effect. The case is made of 316L steel and shaped to recall dragon scale armour, while the winding crown takes the form of a crown. Sword-shaped hands and multifaceted hour markers are treated with luminous material for visibility in dim light. An open-heart aperture reveals the movement, and the rotor carries a carved dual-dragon motif. The band can be interchanged by the wearer.
About Raymond Jones
Raymond Jones is the creative mind behind the independent watch brand VALIMOR, established in 2018. Rising from a humble background, Raymond channelled his passion for design into a fulfilling career, gaining experience at several respected global watch companies before founding his own venture. VALIMOR represents a dialogue between past and present — drawing inspiration from timeless artistry and historical symbolism, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The result is a collection of distinctive, evocative timepieces that balance imagination with precision craftsmanship.
Award Record
With this recognition, Raymond Jones is a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
About the A' Watch Design Award
The A' Watch Design Award is an international watch design competition recognizing good watch designs by leading watch designers and manufacturers worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to watch designers, luxury goods manufacturers, industrial designers and product designers from all countries. Typical entries include chronographs, dive watches, dress watches, quartz watches, automatic watches and smartwatches. The awarded watch designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/watch
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/154087
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/154087
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!154087
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/348273
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://www.valimor.com
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Aurora of Arthur Automatic Wristwatch
- Function
- Automatic Wristwatch
- Category
- Watch Design
- Discipline
- Industrial Design
- Industry
- Luxury and Fashion
- Colors
- Dark Slate Gray, Black, Tan, Pink and Dim Gray
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Valimor
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Raymond Jones
- Country
- Hong Kong (China)
- Recognition
- Bronze A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2023 - 2024
- Design ID
- #154087
Credits
- Image Credits
- Raymond Jones
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- The design takes inspiration from symbolic elements seen in ancient swords and armour, echoed in every part of the watch, each crafted individually for a harmonious yet distinctive look. The use of unique patterns in each slice of natural mother-of-pearl infuses a personal story into every piece. The interchangeable band system empowers wearers to align their timepiece with their style, adding a bespoke touch to their ensemble.
- Inspiration
- In each of us navigating distinct challenges and adversities; the Aurora of Arthur is stand as a symbol of courage for its wearers. This design draws from the legend of King Arthur, employing his iconic red, and featuring a fume dial created from the unique patterns of natural mother-of-pearl, portraying the ever-changing scenarios every individual faces. Accompanied by multifaceted hour markers, sword-shaped hands, a crown-shaped watch crown, and a case evoking dragon scale armour, etc, the details converge to embody bravery and resilience. The open-heart movement within showcases the daring to forge ahead.
- Research
- Drawing from Raymond Jones's deep admiration for medieval art and narratives, the design emerges from extensive research into the rich tapestry of medieval history. This exploration delved into various mediums including artifacts, architecture, and literature, as well as visual and experiential sources like films and exhibitions. The result is a wholly original and fascinating timepiece, echoing the intricacies of a bygone era.
- Challenge
- The foremost challenge was embedding the grandeur of Arthurian legends into a watch, maintaining a delicate balance between mythical inspiration and modern design principles. The intricacy of realizing a case with dragon scale motifs and harmoniously integrating various elements, from the triple-layer dial to the gemstone elements, posed significant production challenges. Overcoming these hurdles, we managed to marry artistic aspiration with technical possibility, realizing a design that is both visually arresting and functionally superior, promising an immersive user experience rooted in legendary narratives.
- Realization and Technology
- Made from durable 316L steel, the case vividly displays dragon scales through precise techniques. The rotor features a 3D dual-dragon carving, creating a focal point. Expert spray control on the natural shell dial achieves a subtle fume effect. Enhanced with Swiss Super-Luminova, the watch ensures visibility in dim environments, It offers 100-meter water resistance, promising reliability in various settings.
- Operation and Interaction
- Engaging with the Aurora of Arthur watch is like stepping into a tale from Arthurian legend, starting with its storybook packaging through to the careful details of the watch itself. The design balances comfort and universal appeal, crafted to suit a wide array of wrist sizes. Despite the intricate detailing, the time display remains clear and straightforward. Furthermore, its adaptable style pairs well with both casual and formal wear, making it a fitting accessory for any ensemble.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project commenced in 2019 with the initiation of the design and prototype development. Following a meticulous and dedicated process spanning several years, it reached its fruition in August 2023 in Hong Kong, marking the completion of a journey from conception to realisation, adhering to the highest standards of craftsmanship and design innovation.
- Specifications
- Case size: 40 x 47 mm. Case thickness: 13 mm. Strap size: 22 mm. Ceramic Insert. Domed Sapphire crystal with 3 AR Coating. Japan Made automatic movement made by Miyota. Triple-Layer Dial Structure. Diamond-Cut Hands.
- Keywords
- King Arthur, Arthurian Legend, VALIMOR, Automatic Watch, Medieval Elegance, Knightly Craftsmanship, Legend Revived Timekeeping, King Arthur's Watch, Royal Elegance, Noble Timepiece
