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Janus Reloxo de pulso by William Volcoff

Janus Reloxo de pulso by William Volcoff is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award de Ouro in Deseño de Xoiería Competition Category.


OuroXoiería· 2020

Janus Reloxo de pulso

by William Volcoff

Client: Wolkov

A' Design Award de Ouro Winner in Xoiería Category

55,598

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #103203

Colors

The Design

About Janus Reloxo de pulso

Janus é un reloxo de pulso con dúas esferas e unha correa intercambiable. Pódense usar ambos os lados, de xeito que quen o leva pode virar a caixa, cambiar de esfera e mudar as correas para adaptalo á vestimenta e ás actividades diarias. Unha esfera funciona cun movemento automático e a outra cun movemento de cuarzo, o que permite ler dous fusos horarios. A caixa e as asas de gran tamaño están feitas de aceiro inoxidable e sométense a un longo proceso de pulido. Un sistema de fixación oculto nas asas suxeita a correa sen pezas móbiles adicionais. As correas están feitas de coiro auténtico.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Ouro

Janus Reloxo de pulso gañou o A' Design Award de Ouro, un recoñecemento inmensamente prestixioso outorgado a deseños de primeira clase, marabillosos e sobresaíntes. Os gañadores Ouro son creacións sumamente innovadoras, visionarias e glamurosamente deslumbrantes que reflicten o xenio, a sabedoría e a destreza dos seus deseñadores. Espérase que Janus Reloxo de pulso sexa unha invención moi eloxiada, pioneira e monumental que ofrece un valor sen precedentes. Este deseño gañador do A' Design Award de Ouro é un proxecto espectacular e respectado que beneficia moito a arte, a ciencia, o deseño e a tecnoloxía e fai avanzar os seus límites. Janus Reloxo de pulso crea intensos sentimentos de desexo, esperta a paixón, anima a creatividade e fascina.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties
This is probably the world first Automatic watch combining dual-dials with interchangeable strap. User can flip and/or switch dials, change straps to match their daily outfit and activities. With its iconic case and oversized lugs, it has charisma and provides extra functionalities for analog watch lovers.
Dimensions & Packaging
Watchcase: 34mm x 14mm x 43mm
Watch strap: 180mm x 24mm
Watch box: 180mm x 185mm x 65mm
Tags
Dual-dial, Automatic, Analog, Wristwatch, Light luxury, Man accessory
Production Technology
We offer a mix of automatic and quartz movements within one case. One side is powered by Chinese Peacock automatic caliber SL1701 while the other side is powered by Japanese Myota quartz. This gives the opportunity for dual time zone and double the space to develop creative dials.

Our unique clipping system has no extra moving parts and only use specific material resistance (from an invisible insert made of PP) to create the clipping spring feature. The design solution is striking visually and drove the design style from inside out, as we didn’t try to conceal it.

The watchcase and lugs are made of high quality steel (316L) with over 8h of polishing process (usual watch are polish under 2h). Our straps are made of genuine leather. Our NATO strap are made of a double-layered polyamide thread combining 3 strain of color to add depth and texture.
Design Challenge
Key challenge was to convince watch factories to produce prototypes and test again and again the various ideas we had. We designed every details, from the screws head to the handles so we had to run prototype for each parts, opening molds and doing refinements a the same time.
Research
Heuristic design research based on guts feeling that something could still be improved in the watch industry. Initially our design had only one dial but we soon realize the potential to duplicate dials and offer dual time zones. The final clipping system for the strap with our semi flexible lug took over 2 years of refinement. We tested ourselves prototypes by wearing them and then adjusting details.
Inspiration
Janus was born from this deep satisfaction of holding a high quality product. Something that feels right when wearing it. Not everything must be connected. The extra boost you need sometime to get things moving the way you want and to connect with a distant past where machines were crafted.
Project Duration
The project started in September 2014 in Shanghai and finished in November 2018 in Shanghai.
Operation Flow
Operate the watch like a normal watch, use the crowns to set time on both sides.
Un-clip the lugs to change strap.
Patents
Patented. CN 304970078 S. 2018. China
Patented. CN 208446774 U. 2018. China
Team Members
William Volcoff
Kang Jing
Bastien Henry
Image Credits
Images #No1 - No 5: Photographer Kang Jing, 2018

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