Would you agree that the octagonal look is the answer to timeless clock design? read on
Who could have foreseen the relevance of a single numerical digit to the aesthetic appeal of watches? But to be fair, Douglas Adams did say that the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything was 42, so why can’t the secret to timeless watch design lie in one figure, namely the number 8. Perhaps not so obvious at first, but if one thinks of the two most common and essentially basic shapes of clocks, one would come up with a circle and a rectangle (squares are also classified as the latter). May go). Now imagine that if we combine the two, ideally what we would get is a shape that has small arcs of curvature that meet each other at defined angular edges. These can then be shortened or lengthened to accommodate as many sides as one wishes. And it is here that the number 8 is completely relevant – because many watches take the octagonal form. Here is a short list of some of my favorite watches that embody (and elevate) this motif.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut: Gerald Genta’s timeless design has been reinterpreted and revisited almost endlessly and yet this watch is the epitome of simplicity and elegance. At first you may not notice the eight edges as they appear, but when you find yourself debating whether this watch is round or rectangular, you will see the eight sides of this story. Here, the Nautilus should also be mentioned, which has a somewhat similar mask.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: Another classic shape on this list and a watch that manages to be a chunky and sleek version with the same façade and yet never look out of place. Sporty more than formal, this is the most versatile watch on the circuit, balancing the complexity of the movement for serious fans and the business appeal of the brand name (and size) for more nouveau fans.
Jean Richard Terascope: A lesser-known brand, this isn’t an eight-sided piece as it is a stunning design blend of a circle within a square, creating the effect of an octagon. Extremely sporty, their ranges are called Terra, Aqua and Aero, all of which are attached to the -scope, thereby defining the styling pattern. A serious brand with in-house movement and remarkably affordable.
Lum-Tech G/V: These are high-functioning watches with high fluorescence, which means that in the dark they appear almost as brightly lit. Great in situations where you’ll be in low-light conditions for long periods of time (cave-trek, deep-sea diving) and the watches are built strong and sturdy, anticipating exactly the same outings.
Ferdinand Berthoud Chronometre FB 1.3: A very boutique, upscale and respected watchmaking brand, this piece combines two half hexagons screwed onto ceramic lugs to form a seamless octagon in platinum. It’s a tourbillon, but also a constant force device regulated using a fusee-and-chain transmission (involving 790 parts) that can take an entire day of work to assemble. This is for broadcast only! Luckily, a small window on the side allows you to appreciate this huge-yet-minute effort in all its visual enjoyment.
Burberry UK: This is the most honest form of flattery I have yet seen for the Patek Philippe range, if you catch my drift. But where Burberry’s score on more serious watch brands lies in the packaging, giving this watch more options in colors and finishes than any watch brand can imagine. The speed expected is secondary in such attractive watches. But since this list is all about size – and there is a specificity to the UK aspect – it holds true here.
Bulgari October: Yet another beautiful reinterpretation of the classic, with a signature Bulgari stamp of grandeur. The edges here are visible inside the circular bezel, all of which are neatly mounted to the eight-sided frame. There is no doubt that this watch is beautiful, but it is also a serious timepiece with an in-house movement. Perhaps the most laudable of recent watches to see this format again.
Casio G-Shock GA-2100: An unlikely entry for some, but few may know that the original G-Shock DW-5000 design that was launched back in 1983 was an eight-edged indestructible watch encased in layers of cushion and shock-absorption. This shape now sees us again as the GA-2100 and has been dubbed the ‘Casiouk’, a cheeky reminder of the similarity in size. But don’t give a fair price tag even once its pedigree or relevance is condemned; Their availability is rare and some versions will command several times the market price at retail.
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