The watch industry is one of the most conservative and reserved industries in the world. Wristwatches have been worn by people for about 100 years, and although many manufactories make incredible breakthroughs in the field of mechanisms, design and materials, the most popular models remain very classic options. For example, most search engines search for Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster and TAG Heuer Carrera. Of course, this does not mean that all search queries are converted into a purchase, however, people are showing interest in models that have hardly changed in the last 50 years.
Wearing a classic is very easy and understandable. No need to explain why you chose this particular watch, and no need to puzzle over how to combine it with everyday looks. Laconic design, good technical characteristics and modern materials are the three pillars of the most popular models in the world. However, there are much more unusual and interesting watches on the market that can change the attitude to the industry and to this piece of clothing in general.
If you already have at least one classic model in your collection or you, not wanting to be a conformist, are always thirsty for experiments, I suggest taking a closer look at these watches.
Mazzucato RIM Sport RIM07-RD7685
One of the most eccentric brands today is Mazzucato. The brand was founded by Simone Mazzucato and immodestly called his own name. Simone started his career with industrial design, and got into the watch industry thanks to his work in the very famous, but long-lost popularity brand Locman Italy. In the 2000s, Mazzucato greatly transformed the brand, focusing on modern and bold designs.
But, of course, Simone would never have been able to reveal all his talent within the framework of a very conservative Italian house. He, as a fan of the avant-garde and a master of utilitarian functional solutions, wanted to work at the intersection of engineering and creative ideas. This is how the RIM concept was born. This abbreviation stands for "reverse motion system". Mazzucato came up with a watch case equipped with a reverse system and special levers that can rotate 360 degrees. This technology allowed Simone to create a watch with two dials at once, which can be changed in a few seconds by simply turning the case over.
Option R.I.M.Sport RIM07-RD7685. One dial in this watch resembles a compass, while the other looks like a sports skeleton. The 48 mm case of the model is made of ion-plated steel. It is based on the in-house caliber SPIN-01, created by the Japanese company Miyota, which is part of the Citizen concern. The watch has a chronograph function and a power reserve of 42 hours.
The Electricianz SteelZ ZZ-A3C/02-MB
This is the most interesting and futuristic brand of democratic brands. The Electricianz was founded in 2017 by Lauren Rufenacht and Arnaud Duvall, the creators of the SEVENFRIDAY brand. Their first watches were SEVENFRIDAY, inspired by the industrial development of cities and engineering communications. Rufenacht and Duval draw ideas from civilization and scientific progress and sing of electricity.
The Electricianz Models assembled in Switzerland, and the Miyota 2033 caliber (though already quartz) is again responsible for the movement of the watch. Each mechanism is complemented by a separate power supply system that feeds the backlight. Batteries last from ten months to three years, depending on how often you activate the backlight using the button above the crown.
The Stone Z model received a 45 mm case and a steel bracelet. The dial is protected by a mineral glass of increased strength with an anti-reflective coating. I really like the design - you look at your wrist and think that the watch, like the city, is a living organism with its own arteries through which electricity runs.
Ikepod Megapod M001-SI-LB
Ikepod is an amazing brand that combines retro and futurism. It is about such watches that I would like to say that they have a timeless design. The brand appeared in 1994 - it was founded by businessman Oliver Eich from Switzerland. Ike's designer and partner was Marc Newson, the iconic designer who later came up with the Apple Watch. Marc and Oliver met at a furniture fair and decided that they would revolutionize the watch market. It was Newson who came up with the completely unique Ikepod design, which was considered futuristic and breakthrough in 1994 and remains so to this day.
Mark's main idea was to abandon the classic case with lugs to which the strap is attached. Newson also opted for very large dials and rubber straps with a simple clasp. Subsequently, these decisions have become important trends in the watch industry. As early as the early 2000s, Ikepods were equipped with the straps you now see on the Apple Watch.
Then Newson set the next trend - he began to produce watches from very expensive materials in extremely limited collections. Sporty and futuristic models made of gold and platinum were bought only by very wealthy and sophisticated collectors, so the brand instantly became elite.
In 2014, Newson left for Apple, and for several years Ikepod had a crisis. Only three years later, in 2017, the rights to the brand were bought by businessman Christian-Louis Col, who is in love with this brand. He invited Immanuel Gate, who is known for creating the Rolex Cellini, to head the company.
Megapod watch M001-SI-LB refers to the Hemipode that Newson came up with in 1997. He created the design inspired by the aesthetics of the 1970s - a striking eclecticism of the past and the future. The 46 mm case of Megapod M001-SI-LB is made of steel. The Miyota 9039 caliber, a self-winding manufactory movement with a power reserve of 42 hours, is once again responsible for the movement of the model. The transparent case back allows you to see the unidirectional rotor.
Cornavin Skeleton Automatic SK.03.R
One of the main geniuses of futuristic design in the watch industry is Gerald Genta, who became the progenitor of the trend for sporty chic models. The octagonal bezel with coarse screws was designed by Gerald for Audemars Piguet.
Cornavin watches Skeleton Automatic SK.03.R certainly refers to the creations of Gerald Genta of the 70s, although the brand is not directly related to this designer.
Cornavin was founded exactly 100 years ago in Geneva and named after the central area of this city. The main idea of the brand is to combine classics and innovations to create truly modern models.
Cornavin actively supports the sport-chic trend. The 42mm case is made of PVD-coated steel. The watch received the in-house caliber CO.SK-42, which Cornavin assembles themselves. The skeletonized dial allows you to enjoy the workings of this mechanism, decorated with the Cotes de Geneve pattern. The power reserve of the caliber is 42 hours. The model is accompanied by a rubber strap with a classic Ardillon clasp made of 316L stainless steel.
I think that skeletonized dials always look very futuristic. This transparency demonstrates how cool modern designers and engineers are at creating mechanisms. Even the most complex mechanisms can look airy and light, demonstrating eternal progress.
D1 Gun Metal Skeleton Milano SKBJ11
Another cool skeleton that refers to another masterpiece of the genius of Gerald Genta - the Patek Philippe Nautilus watch, created at the same time, in the 1970s. Let me remind you that this decade was the most difficult for the watch industry: a quartz movement appeared, which made it possible to launch mass production of affordable and high-quality watches. Manufactories, which have always produced expensive models, needed to radically change their approach to design in order to attract the attention of buyers. So bold, futuristic, sporty and utilitarian models appeared on the market.
The D1 Milano brand was founded in 2013 by Dario Spallone. The owner of the brand entered the Italian Forbes 30 Under 30 ranking as a talented young businessman. His brand has been recognized as one of the most dynamic and successful companies in the world of watches. Spallone, of course, is sold on the Italian market, but he made a bet on the fastest growing countries, passionate about technology and innovation. The company's office is located not only in Milan, but also in Dubai and Hong Kong, where futuristic watches are very fond of.
Therefore it is not surprising that in the range of D1 Milano many skeletons. I liked the Gun Metal Skeleton Milano SKBJ11, which received a case with a diameter of 41,5 mm made of 316L steel with a PVD coating. A great option for those who don't like shiny metal watches. The Italian brand purchases the mechanisms for this model from Seiko. Caliber SII NH70-L provides 41 hours of travel. You can watch its work through the transparent back cover.
It is important to clarify that Spallone loves to create massive and weighty watches. Although the thickness of the Gun Metal body Skeleton Milano SKBJ11 is only 11 mm, the weight of this model is as much as 170 grams. Keep in mind that at the end of the day, the hand may get tired of such a case.
