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Janus Wati Ringaringa by William Volcoff

Janus Wati Ringaringa by William Volcoff is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award Koura in Hoahoa Whakakai Competition Category.


KouraWhakakai· 2020

Janus Wati Ringaringa

by William Volcoff

Client: Wolkov

A' Design Award Koura Winner in Whakakai Category

Colors

The Design

About Janus Wati Ringaringa

He wati ringaringa a Janus e rua ōna mata karaka me te tāhei ka taea te whakawhiti. Ka taea te whakamahi i ngā taha e rua, nō reira ka āhei te kaimau ki te huri i te pouaka, ki te whakawhiti i ngā mata, me te whakarerekē i ngā tāhei kia hāngai ki ngā kākahu me ngā mahi o ia rā. Ko tētahi mata ka whakahaerehia e te miihini aunoa, ko tērā atu e te miihini quartz, e taea ai te pānui i ngā rohe wā e rua. Ko te pouaka me ngā taringa nunui ka hangaia ki te rino kore-waikura, ā, ka whakapaia mā tētahi tukanga oro roa. He pūnaha piri huna kei roto i ngā taringa hei pupuri i te tāhei kāore he wāhanga neke atu anō. Ka hangaia ngā tāhei ki te hiako tūturu.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Koura

Ko Janus Wati Ringaringa te toa o te A' Design Award Koura, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke tuatahi, whakamīharo me te hiranga. Ko ngā toa Koura he mahi tino auaha, he tirohanga mamao, he kanapa ahi, e whakaatu ana i te pūmanawa, te mātauranga me te tohungatanga o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Janus Wati Ringaringa he hanganga tūnga e whakatū ana i ngā ia, he whakanuia rawa, e kawe mai ana i te uara kāore anō kia kitea. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Koura he kaupapa whakamīharo, whakahonoretia e whakawhānui ana i ngā rohe o te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau. Ka whakaara a Janus Wati Ringaringa i te hiahia nui, ka whakaoho i te kaingākau, ka whakatenatena i te auaha, ā, ka whakamīharo i a tātou.

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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