Review: Sternglas Naos (Limited Edition Kandinsky Watch)

This is a story about an artsy dude falling in love with a watch. When do we know when a watch calls out to us? What is that moment when we feel that this watch is made for us? It's that story.  Look at that picture above of Bauhaus minimal design.  There are so many stories to tell.  

But first, perhaps you are unfamiliar with Sternglas?  Let's address that now. The founder, Dustin, started working in a watch manufactory when he was 16 years old and became passionate about classic watches. However, he struggled to afford the high prices of the watches he admired and so he decided to create his own minimalistic watch brand, STERNGLAS, with a simple Bauhaus design and high-quality materials at a fair price. Despite facing doubts and challenges, the Dustin eventually launched STERNGLAS on Kickstarter in 2016 and was able to raise enough funds to produce the first batch of watches. Today, STERNGLAS is a successful watch brand with a team of 25 employees and can be found in over 350 jewelers. The brand continues to follow its original mission of creating beautiful, high-quality watches at an affordable price.

The commentary above is summarized from the company website. So if it sounds a bit like a PR piece, now you know. However, I admire the story of a young kid falling in love with watches and following his dreams. We should all be so fortunate in life.  

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But we are here to talk about the watch.  And oh what a story to tell. It's inspired by the artistry of Wassily Kandinsky.  How well .. inspired! Oh, wait, you've not heard of him?

Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian painter and art theorist who is credited as one of the pioneers of abstract art. He was born in Moscow in 1866 and later studied law and economics at the University of Moscow, before deciding to pursue a career in art. Kandinsky traveled to Munich in 1896 to study at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he was heavily influenced by the work of Monet, Van Gogh, and other Impressionist painters.

In 1911, Kandinsky co-founded the Blue Rider movement, a group of artists who sought to break away from traditional art forms and explore the use of color and form in more abstract ways. Kandinsky's work was deeply influenced by his interests in spirituality and mysticism, and he believed that color could be used to express emotions and ideas in a way that traditional figurative art could not.

Throughout his career, Kandinsky produced a wide range of paintings, including landscapes, still lifes, and abstract compositions. He also wrote extensively about art theory and the role of color in art, and his ideas have had a lasting influence on the development of abstract art. Kandinsky died in 1944 in France, but his work continues to be widely exhibited and celebrated as an important part of the history of modern art.

Now I confess to you; when I ordered the watch I was not aware of the Blue Rider movement. Of course, as an art aficionado Kandinsky was familiar to me.  But this Blue movement was new. So it's merely a coincidence that I order the blue dial, rather than the other options of Red or Yellow.  It's truly a gorgeous dial. 

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But it makes for a good story, yes? It feels fortuitous and a sign of affinity. Were we meant for each other?  And then of course, there is the case back. What a design!  Look at it.  

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Expressionist artists sought to express their innermost feelings and emotions through their work, rather than simply depicting the external world. They used distorted forms, bright colors, and exaggerated lines to convey their emotions, and often depicted subjects in a highly personalized and subjective way. And how appropriate for us that this watch can serve that noble purpose.  Isn't this how we feel about these mechanical marvels?  That they should serve as expressions of our personal style and emotions.  

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And look at that date window.  The color way is matched to the dial. Harmony in color and design.  How appropriate and satisfying. No artistic flourish is left undone. 

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Wait, enough of art, you say! What of accuracy? What of horology? Well, it's a quartz movement.  Some might object to that.  But I feel it fits perfectly the principle of minimalism.  A quartz require minimal effort to maintain accuracy to the second! And I love quartz almost as much as I love art.  In this watch, it works.  

And what of the seconds hand? Will it hit the marks precisely? Indeed, it occurred to me that the watch might fail in this regard. It's off by a micro millimeter! The outrage!  But Sternglas has applied a direct and one might say even German efficiency in the solution. The seconds hand has been removed.  Again, applying minimalism to solve design problems.  

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There is another star in this story.  See that picture above. Notice how the bracelet conforms to the case.  It drapes across like a piece of cloth. It molds itself to the body of the watch.  It is supple.  

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The bracelet is one of the most comfortable I've experienced. It deserves it's own attention.  It was specially designed to go with this watch. And when I ordered it, I dismissed it from my mind; I expected to discard it at once and replace it with another strap.  But I was shocked to feel it on my wrist.  The horizontal lines give it structure like a bracelet but also the suppleness of leather.  The best of both worlds.  

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Look again at how the lugs and bracelet wrap around your wrist. They work harmoniously to embrace you. Never worry, we will be here to count the time.  

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At this point, the summation of my review is a foregone conclusion. The union of art and time keeping fulfills my desires. Did you notice those circles in the white background? Those are drawing exercises I do to prepare for art. And I like to time my sketching to the second! Do I love the watch? Absolute! Still, I am feeling a certain curiosity about that red dial .. It couldn't hurt to take a look, no?  

-- Carl

Review: Sternglas Naos (Limited Edition Kandinsky Watch)

4.6
Yes No
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  • Art!
  • Bracelet
  • Kandinsky Inspired
  • None!
Reply
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Nice review. I love the minimalist look of the Sternglas Naos and hopefully sooner rather then later i will own one my self.

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Dragan

Nice review. I love the minimalist look of the Sternglas Naos and hopefully sooner rather then later i will own one my self.

I think you'll really enjoy it. The feel on the wrist is very pleasant.