EXPLORING HOW A FAMILIAR REFERENCE CAN BE EXPRESSED THROUGH FORM, MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION.
THE EXPERIMENT
Rather than reproducing the appearance of a rotary telephone, this design explores how a familiar reference can be expressed through form, material and construction. Inspired by the numbered discs of 1960s and 1970s rotary phones, the double-layer dial recreates the characteristic geometry through contrasting circular brushed and sandblasted finishes. The result recalls an iconic industrial object without relying on literal representation, balancing familiarity with contemporary simplicity.
MATERIAL SCIENCE
The dial combines two distinct surface treatments to create depth and definition. A circular brushed upper layer catches the light differently from the sandblasted lower layer, allowing the geometry of the design to emerge through texture rather than color. The lightweight polycarbonate case provides a soft-touch matte finish that frames the layered dial without competing for attention, while mineral glass with a blue anti-reflective coating preserves clarity across the different surface finishes.
THE COLLECTION
POLYCARBON
Polycarbonate behaves differently from steel. It absorbs light rather than reflecting it, creating a softer, more controlled surface. As a result, color appears more even, with less glare and greater consistency across the watch. The material is lightweight, with a soft-touch coating that gives it a warmer, more tactile feel than metal or ceramic. This is why we use it as a core material. It gives us more control over how the watch looks and feels, allowing each design to be shaped through material, not just form.