Janus 腕時計 by William Volcoff is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award 金賞 in ジュエリーデザイン Competition Category.

金ジュエリー· 2020

Janus 腕時計

by William Volcoff

Client: Wolkov

A' Design Award 金賞 Winner in ジュエリー Category

55,598

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #103203

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Janus 腕時計

Janusは、2つの文字盤と交換可能なストラップを備えた腕時計です。両面を使用できるため、着用者はケースを反転させて文字盤を切り替え、ストラップを付け替えることで、日々の服装やアクティビティに合わせることができます。一方の文字盤は自動巻きムーブメント、もう一方はクオーツムーブメントで駆動し、2つのタイムゾーンを読み取ることが可能です。ケースと大ぶりなラグはステンレススチール製で、長時間にわたる研磨仕上げが施されています。ラグに内蔵された隠し留め具システムにより、余分な可動部品なしでストラップを固定します。ストラップは本革製です。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 金賞

Janus 腕時計は、まさに素晴らしく傑出した第一級のデザインに授与される、計り知れないほど権威ある評価である A' Design Award 金賞の受賞作品です。金賞の受賞作品は、きわめて革新的で、先見性に富み、きらびやかに輝く創造物であり、デザイナーの天才性、叡智、卓越した技量を映し出しています。Janus 腕時計は、最も称賛される、流行を牽引する記念碑的な発明であり、前例のない価値をもたらすことが期待されます。この A' Design Award 金賞を受賞したデザインは、壮観で尊敬されるプロジェクトであり、芸術・科学・デザイン・技術の境界に大きく寄与し、それを前進させます。Janus 腕時計は、強い欲求を生み出し、情熱を呼び覚まし、創造性を促し、私たちを引きつけます。

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