Janus Armbandsúr by William Volcoff is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award í gulli in Skartgripahönnun Competition Category.

GullSkartgripir· 2020

Janus Armbandsúr

by William Volcoff

Client: Wolkov

A' Design Award í gulli Winner in Skartgripir Category

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Colors

The Design

About Janus Armbandsúr

Janus er armbandsúr með tveimur skífum og útskiptanlegri ól. Báðar hliðar úrsins má nota, svo að notandinn getur snúið kassanum við, skipt um skífu og skipt um ól til að passa við daglegan klæðnað og athafnir. Önnur skífan er knúin sjálfvirku gangverki og hin kvarsgangverki, sem gerir kleift að lesa tvö tímabelti. Kassinn og yfirstærðar áfestingar eru úr ryðfríu stáli og fá langt fægingarferli. Falið smellukerfi í áfestingunum heldur ólinni án aukalegra hreyfanlegra hluta. Ólarnar eru úr ekta leðri.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award í gulli

Janus Armbandsúr vann A' Design Award í gulli, óendanlega virta viðurkenningu sem veitt er fyrsta flokks, dásamlegum og framúrskarandi hönnunarverkum. Sigurvegarar í gulli eru afar nýstárleg, framsýn og töfrandi glæsileg sköpunarverk sem endurspegla snilld, visku og hæfni hönnuða sinna. Þess er vænst að Janus Armbandsúr sé mjög lofuð, brautryðjandi og stórfengleg uppfinning sem skilar fordæmislausu virði. Þetta hönnunarverk sem vann A' Design Award í gulli er stórbrotið, virt verkefni sem gagnast mörkum listar, vísinda, hönnunar og tækni mjög vel og færir þau fram á við. Janus Armbandsúr skapar sterkar þráartilfinningar, vekur ástríðu, hvetur til sköpunar og heillar okkur.

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