WATCH & JEWELRY /
WATCH NEWS
July 28, 2017
Meaningful asymmetry. A masterpiece product finished with Japanese polishing techniques | ISSEY MIYAKE WATCH
ISSEY MIYAKE WATCH
Inspired by Grand Touring
A Mechanical Chronograph by KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN
The ISSEY MIYAKE WATCH project features leading designers from Japan and abroad presenting their most inspired creations. Now, Kiyoyuki Okuyama has joined this endeavor. True to his background in crafting numerous car designs, Okuyama chose "Grand Touring" as his theme. The product, evoking a sense of grand journeys, boasts a commanding presence, fearlessly challenging conventional notions under a philosophy of thorough functionalism.
Text by TSUCHIDA Takashi (OPENERS)
Seeking Simple, Innovative, and Enduring Design
Given its peculiar shape, one might expect an equally enigmatic design theme, but the reality is quite the opposite. It's remarkably direct.
"To enhance visibility while driving, we kept the sub-dials in their original positions, offset the center circle of the main dial, and enlarged the indices around the 12 o'clock mark," says Kiyoyuki Okuyama.
This deliberate offset is intended to make the sub-dials appear larger. The design draws inspiration from a car's instrument panel. Furthermore, the angle and length of the lugs differ at the top and bottom. Based on an ergonomic approach, the front lug is short and angled nearly vertically, while the rear lug is longer and more gently sloped, causing the watch head to tilt towards the wearer when worn.
"This prevents the case from shifting even when the arm moves. The effect is the same whether it's a metal bracelet or a leather strap. By chamfering the sides and reducing weight, the comfort is exceptional," adds Kiyoyuki Okuyama.
The Lancia Aurelia was the first to use the "Grand Touring" category. Unlike a supercar, the essence of "Grand Touring" lies in the journey itself, enjoying an exceptionally high-performance machine to its fullest. The journey is not merely about the tools accompanying it, but about enjoying the tools themselves.
The true pleasure lies in the journey of enjoying the equipment itself.
This model is conceived as a timepiece to support such journeys. Therefore, for the action of glancing at the watch during a drive, the watch case must not shift, and its high visibility must allow for instantaneous reading of the time.
On the other hand, Okuyama was particularly focused on Japanese craftsmanship. Among these, metal polishing is a field where Japan excels.
"Polishing is an extremely important process that maximizes the appeal of metal. For this product development, we utilized Japan's highest level of technology. This results in a texture that can only be achieved by Japanese artisans, not by those in Switzerland, Italy, France, or the UK. We wanted to convey this to everyone. That was our intention," says Kiyoyuki Okuyama.
To best showcase the beauty of the polishing, the design was intentionally kept understated. The form, which appears orthodox at first glance, was arrived at through logical consideration of how to best present the metallic surfaces.
The movement is a Seiko mechanical chronograph with a vertical clutch system. This operating method results in minimal jump of the hands during start and stop and offers excellent shock resistance.
Additionally, to provide a definite tactile feedback when pressing the push buttons, a key component called a pillar wheel is used in conjunction. The fact that even the user's operational feel has been designed is a thoughtful touch.
Available in four variations, including metal bracelets or leather straps and different color options (each limited to 100 pieces). Each will undoubtedly be a model that will be remembered for generations as a modern chronograph that logically pursues functionality.
Ref. | NYAG701 (left), NYAG702 (right)
Movement | Automatic (with manual winding) Cal.8R48
Power Reserve | Approx. 45 hours
Case & Bracelet Material | SS (NYAG702 features hard coating)
Case Diameter | 45.2mm
Case Back | See-through
Water Resistance | 10 bar
Price | ¥340,000 (left), ¥360,000 (right) *Excluding tax for both
Limited Edition | 100 pieces each
Ref. | NYAG703 (left), NYAG704 (right)
Movement | Automatic (with manual winding) Cal.8R48
Power Reserve | Approx. 45 hours
Case Material | SS (NYAG703 features partial hard coating)
Case Diameter | 45.2mm
Case Back | See-through
Strap | Leather
Water Resistance | 10 bar
Price | ¥310,000 (left), ¥290,000 (right) *Excluding tax for both
Limited Edition | 100 pieces each
Kiyoyuki Okuyama
Representative, KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN
Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1959. He has held positions such as Chief Designer at General Motors, Senior Designer at Porsche, Design Director at Pininfarina, and Dean of the College of Industrial Design at the Art Center College of Design. He has been involved in the design of numerous automobiles, including the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati Quattroporte, as well as motorcycles, trains, ships, architecture, robots, and theme parks.
Inquiries
Seiko Watch Customer Service Center
0120-181-671
http://www.isseymiyake-watch.com