Leonardo Liendo · CLIENT: Leonardo Liendo
Vitro is a wristwatch that explores the idea of suspending time, both literally and conceptually. Its standout feature is a suspended movement design that creates the illusion of a floating dial, held in place by a triple crystal system which produces a shifting interplay of light and shadow. This sense of lightness extends to its one-piece strap, which adapts naturally to any wrist. Designed and crafted in Argentina from native hardwood and anodized aluminum, Vitro blends technology and craftsmanship to propose a more contemplative way of reading time.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- It redefines the wristwatch through a suspended movement design where dial, hands, and mechanism appear to float inside the case. This is made possible by a triple-crystal structure that lets light pass unobstructed, creating both visual lightness and structural clarity. Eliminating buckles and adjustment holes, it features a seamless one-piece strap with a pinless clasp adaptable to any wrist, and modular architecture crafted from noble Argentinian materials.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Diameter: 44 mm; Thickness: 9mm; Strap length: 247 mm / Crystals: Mineral / Case: CNC-milled and hand-polished Itin (Prosopis Kuntzei); Density 1,150 gr/cm³; Janka Hardness 14,220 N / Movement: Miyota Caliber 2035 (Japanese Quartz); Accuracy ± 20 s/month / Caseback: Turned, CNC-drilled, anodized and laser-engraved aluminium 6061-T6 / Strap: Die-cut genuine leather (100% aniline) with goatskin lining / Buckle: CNC-milled and anodized aluminium 5052-H34 / Fittings: Polished crown, hands and rivets
- Tags
- Watch, Timepiece, Luxury, Suspended Time, Industrial Design, Argentinian Design, Industrial Designer, Hardwood Watch
- Production Technology
- It is crafted from local materials using both industrial and traditional techniques. The case is CNC-milled from Itin, a native hardwood known as 'Argentinian ebony' for its extreme hardness and dark brown colour that deepens to nearly black over time. The hand-turned caseback is anodized aircraft-grade aluminium, as is the CNC-milled buckle. The one-piece strap is die-cut from genuine Argentinian leather. All crystals are mineral glass. Each timepiece is signed, numbered, and hand-finished.
- Design Challenge
- The main creative challenge was resolving the suspended movement design without compromising the structure or proper functioning. Additionally, the biggest production obstacle was precisely machining both concentric faces of the small wooden case using local technology. Hardwood is a non-traditional watchmaking material that requires specialized technical skill.
- Project Duration
- The project started in August 2021 and finished in December 2024 in Cordoba, Argentina.
- Operation Flow
- Vitro offers a natural and intuitive way of reading time, guided only by the crown placed at 12 o'clock. Its suspended movement design and triple-crystal system create dynamic light and shadow effects that shift with the wearer's perspective. The strap features a slider buckle that adapts comfortably to any wrist size, fastening securely without pre-punched holes.
- Research
- Research focused on technical resolution while preserving the design concept. The process involved sketches, mock-ups, and prototypes to test structure, proportions, and fit. Extensive iterations refined the triple-crystal system for precise assembly. Anthropometric data guided the strap to fit a wide range of wrist sizes. Several native hardwoods, aluminium alloys, and finishes were evaluated to define the final materials.
- Inspiration
- Vitro was inspired by the idea of suspending time, which it reflects both literally and conceptually throughout its design. The project originates from a personal reflection on how time is perceived and valued in contemporary life. In a fast-paced world where time often slips by unnoticed, Vitro offers a deliberate moment of pause. Its design concept of suspended movement turns time-reading into a unique visual and symbolic experience.
- Image Credits
- Leonardo Liendo, 2025.
- Patents
- Patented. Patent No. 015086222-0001. Leonardo Liendo. 2024. European Union.
Patented. Patent No. 104029. Leonardo Liendo. 2023. Argentina.
Patented. Patent No. 104030. Leonardo Liendo. 2023. Argentina.
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