Janus Aago Ọwọ́ by William Volcoff is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Wúrà A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Ohun Ọ̀ṣọ́ Ara Competition Category.

WúràOhun Ọ̀ṣọ́ Ara· 2020

Janus Aago Ọwọ́

by William Volcoff

Client: Wolkov

Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Wúrà A' Design Award Winner in Ohun Ọ̀ṣọ́ Ara Category

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Colors

The Design

About Janus Aago Ọwọ́

Janus jẹ́ aago ọwọ́ tí ó ní ojú méjì àti okùn tí a lè pààrọ̀. Ẹ̀gbẹ́ méjèèjì ni a lè lò, nítorí náà ẹni tí ó wọ̀ ọ́ lè yí àpótí rẹ̀ padà, pààrọ̀ ojú aago náà, kí ó sì pààrọ̀ okùn rẹ̀ láti bá aṣọ àti iṣẹ́ ojoojúmọ́ mu. Ojú kan ń ṣiṣẹ́ pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rọ aládàáṣe (automatic movement) nígbà tí èkejì ń ṣiṣẹ́ pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rọ kuotisi (quartz movement), èyí tí ó jẹ́ kí a lè ka àkókò àgbègbè méjì ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀. Àpótí náà àti àwọn ìdìmú ńlá rẹ̀ ni a fi irin aláìlábàwọ́n (stainless steel) ṣe, wọ́n sì gba ìlànà dídán tí ó pẹ́. Ètò ìdìmú tí ó farasin nínú àwọn ìdìmú náà ni ó ń di okùn náà mú láìsí àwọn ẹ̀yà mìíràn tí ń rìn. Awọ ara gidi ni a fi ṣe àwọn okùn náà.

The Recognition

About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Wúrà A' Design Award

Janus Aago Ọwọ́ jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Wúrà A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí gan-an tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe ìpele àkọ́kọ́, tó jẹ́ ìyanu tó sì yàtọ̀. Àwọn olùborí Wúrà jẹ́ àwọn ẹ̀dá tó ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun gidigidi, tó ní ojú-ìwòye tó jìnnà tó sì ń tàn yòò tí wọ́n ń ṣàfihàn ọgbọ́n, òye àti ìjáfáfá àwọn olùṣàwòṣe wọn. A retí pé Janus Aago Ọwọ́ yóò jẹ́ ohun ìmúṣẹ̀dá tí a yìn gidigidi, tó ń gbé ìtẹ̀sí kalẹ̀ tó sì jẹ́ ìrántí tó ń mú iye tí a kò rí rí wá. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Wúrà A' Design Award yìí jẹ́ iṣẹ́ àkànṣe tó yani lẹ́nu tí a bọ̀wọ̀ fún tó ṣe anfàní gidigidi tó sì ń tì ààlà iṣẹ́ ọnà, sáyẹ́ǹsì, àwòṣe àti ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ síwájú. Janus Aago Ọwọ́ ń dá ìmọ̀lára ìfẹ́ tó lágbára sílẹ̀, ń jí ìtara, ń gbé ìṣẹ̀dá lárugẹ tó sì ń fà wá mọ́ra.

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