Watches through the ages and into the future
I have a real fondness for mid-20th century watches. Like many, I feel that this period was the golden age of watchmaking, especially from a design perspective. There is a timeless quality to watches from this era that hasn't worn off, even today.
It's little wonder, that today's brands have looked to this period for inspiration or indeed have resurrected pieces from their own back catalogue, but with a more modern, contemporary aesthetic, while retaining what made these pieces so special, in the first place.
This got me thinking about the today's watches and how they might be perceived in 30/50/70 years from now. Thinking about the last 20 years, where will this era stack up, versus previous eras? What are the design hallmarks that will define this period, and which do we think will be replicated in future timepieces? Further, what watch technology from this period, will be viewed as a watershed moment in watchmaking? And finally, does this era have its own Gérald Genta - a watch titan so large that they influenced generations to come?
Of course, this may be a moot discussion, given wristwatches (let alone mechanical wristwatches) might fall by the wayside, as we'll be telling time, through the neural implants in our heads!!!
Keen to hear your thoughts.
(Image courtesy of corrvintagewatches.com)
Adventures of a watch tragic.
I think the latest generation will be remembered for a few reasons,we can now dive to the bottom of the ocean or have them made of different materials ie ceramic titanium and don't forget the hype omega Swatch created with their watch and finally all us on WC passing down watches to future generations to keep the interest going , whether there will be anybody to service our watches is the main problem I see
This is the same dicusssion when examining design elements in art, music and similar.
Great watches, great art have a special aspect which always let you find a new angle, perspective and freshness in its conception over the course of time..."Timelessness" in execution, simply put.
"So, so" examples are one dimensional and quickly bcome boring and one sided. A flat design that has no depth, however long you examine it.
I agree with you (as must many others) that the mid 20th century was a great time for watch designs of the highest quality in terms of coherence and timeless beauty.
I agree. I have only one very expensive watch (my SMP Sapphire Sandwich), and that is a design that has barely changed in 50 years.
It's strange to think that growing up, I would have seen the designs of these watches on uncles, respected elders and senior colleagues, who bought them as solid working watches.
I wonder if part of the subconscious fondness for these designs is by association with the people that used to wear them.
Beautiful IWC by the way - is it yours?
Totally agree, a lot of the watches we drool about and sometimes own are re-editions/re-imagines of the timeless classics of yesterday. And that's what most of us love, the timeless classic I mean what's more beautiful than a champagne coloured faced dress watch. But who knows what the future gens will love,sure they'll be some like us but there's always something new coming out that could grab the imagination and of course the world of media. All it needs is an iconic film release with one of the 'new' watches and bingo a 23rd century 'Willard' or maybe the first Mars watch. But I do know there will always a place for a great watch.
I think the latest generation will be remembered for a few reasons,we can now dive to the bottom of the ocean or have them made of different materials ie ceramic titanium and don't forget the hype omega Swatch created with their watch and finally all us on WC passing down watches to future generations to keep the interest going , whether there will be anybody to service our watches is the main problem I see
I certainly think material and movement innovation are hallmarks of this era.
Perhaps a thing that symbolises the current era (especially in the last 4-5 years) are pieces that challenge our conventional thinking of what a watch should be. You mentioned Uwerk, but when you think about brands who are changing our perceptions of timekeeping, I think you can throw in MB&F, Ressence and HYT as well.
I agree. I have only one very expensive watch (my SMP Sapphire Sandwich), and that is a design that has barely changed in 50 years.
It's strange to think that growing up, I would have seen the designs of these watches on uncles, respected elders and senior colleagues, who bought them as solid working watches.
I wonder if part of the subconscious fondness for these designs is by association with the people that used to wear them.
Beautiful IWC by the way - is it yours?
One could argue why change the classics, but I think there has always been a few things that represented each era. From my perspective (just my view, don't claim to be right) it's:
IWC is not mine, but wish it was!
Totally agree, a lot of the watches we drool about and sometimes own are re-editions/re-imagines of the timeless classics of yesterday. And that's what most of us love, the timeless classic I mean what's more beautiful than a champagne coloured faced dress watch. But who knows what the future gens will love,sure they'll be some like us but there's always something new coming out that could grab the imagination and of course the world of media. All it needs is an iconic film release with one of the 'new' watches and bingo a 23rd century 'Willard' or maybe the first Mars watch. But I do know there will always a place for a great watch.
Perhaps, in the future, collectors will look at Jacob & Co timepieces, with the fondness that collectors today look at pocket watches. Perhaps, in the future, collectors will look at Hublot and be surprised with their innovation in materials (ahead of it's time???)
Who knows!
As we always seem to be looking backwards to go forwards perhaps quirky 1970's designs will be revisited,or could there be a new resurgence of jump hour watches?
I wonder about the lack of notable designers but kind of assume it's more about ignorance on my part. Does anyone working now have a claim to be as influential as Genta or Nobuhiro Kosugi (brains behind the 44GS case)?
I don't think there's any question that the 2010s definitive trend in watches will be remembered as smart watches and the preeminent designer of watches, and industrial design in general, is Jony Ive.
Probably why the Bel Canto was seen as groundbreaking, in terms of functionality. While not a true minute repeater, it brought in a chiming complication that would only be seen in watches many multiples in price.
One could argue why change the classics, but I think there has always been a few things that represented each era. From my perspective (just my view, don't claim to be right) it's:
IWC is not mine, but wish it was!
You skipped 20 years there at the end. I think that this era, that I think is ending, will be remembered for microbrands changing design. The internals for most microbrands are unimpressive, but the design is usually interesting. I am thinking of a few:
(I wish the pictures and watches were mine.)
I think that we will look back on this era with fondness. When the microbrand era ends we will see a decrease in variety.