Ariel Adams right here from aBlogtoWatch. Right now, I’m going to share with you one other watch that I used to be answerable for creative-directing. That is the second such timepiece product myself and the aBlogtoWatch Artwork Director Matt Smith-Johnson created collectively, this time in collaboration with UNDONE Watches. In daring black and yellow, that is the UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW limited-production watch that we’ll produce as a lot of as are ordered earlier than the ordering interval closes in early summer time 2019. Extra particulars on that beneath.
The primary watch I creative-directed with one other model was the LACO RAD-AUX that we debuted right here. The Aqua BLK + YLW follows it with a brand new theme and a extra accessible value. As this can be a business undertaking, I’m not writing to you as a watch critic, however slightly as a inventive particular person explaining the way to perceive the UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW watch product assortment that I’m answerable for. It is a product I designed for myself, and anybody else who finds it cool can have one, too.
What’s BLK + YLW?
The UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW introduces a brand new idea I’m experimenting with, which is the BLK + YLW mini-brand. I like black and yellow watches as a result of the colours are simple to see and daring, a mixture that may make for actually legible watch dials. They’re additionally a enjoyable approach of creating me take into consideration fashionable instruments and rugged tools — to not point out fascinating components of popular culture. UNDONE is the primary watch model BLK + YLW is partnering with. The thought is to work with totally different present watchmakers to supply BLK + YLW variations of their merchandise that meet my specs. These watches shall be co-branded in a tasteful approach and, ideally, will show fascinating each to individuals who like black & yellow-colored timepieces, in addition to followers of the model BLK + YLW is working with. As I stated, BLK + YLW is an experiment, and I’ll chart its future in the way in which I feel makes essentially the most sense by way of how I need BLK + YLW watches to be offered.
UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW Watch
The thought for the UNDONE Aqua BLK +YLW watch didn’t originate in a single place, however the thought to supply the primary BLK + YLW watch with UNDONE occurred after aBlogtoWatch visited the UNDONE’s headquarters in Hong Kong. Along with its standard-collection timepieces, UNDONE has a strong customization division that enables clients to have customized dials, casebacks, and even total watch case and dial colours produced to somebody’s specs. Once I noticed the standard that UNDONE was in a position to supply for the worth, and the way devoted their group was to element, I knew I wanted to point out the world what a little bit creativeness can do on the subject of designing a bespoke product.
The UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW is predicated on the model’s present Aqua Dive watch however is greater than a merely coloured model of the bottom mannequin. Smith-Johnson and I designed a completely new dial, which needed to be produced from UNDONE’s dial manufacturing unit provider. We additionally created a personalized caseback design and required UNDONE to order a collection of latest components to assist full my imaginative and prescient for this product.
What was most essential to me was attaining a yellow-colored case. With out moving into too many particulars, brilliant yellow-colored supplies which might be appropriate for watch-case making actually don’t exist. Apart from the unattractive look of yellow anodized aluminum (that, to me, seems to be like electrical snot) there is no such thing as a easy option to produce a yellow-coated steel case. Different supplies, comparable to carbon and ceramic, can’t be produced in a horny yellow coloration presently. Yellow is likely one of the harder colours to realize in watchmaking at this time, and maybe sooner or later there shall be secure ceramic colours in yellow. With out that being a risk now, we went with the following smartest thing: a Cerakote coating over a base 316L metal case.
Cerakote is a branded “polymer-ceramic composite coating” that’s used for quite a lot of industrial and a few beauty functions. The latter might be present in firearm or knife coatings for house owners who need to add a touch of coloration to their hobbies. Cerakote is designed to each add coloration and grip, in addition to chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, and different properties to the assorted supplies it may be utilized to. Cerakote can solely be utilized by a Cerakote specialist, and every of the UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW instances is individually despatched to a certified Cerakote coating specialist. The instances require roughly two weeks to dry after the Cerakote coating utility.
Cerakote will ultimately chip off with put on, regardless that it’s designed to be sturdy. I really don’t thoughts this because it helps add a “worn-in patina” that I really feel goes with the “Caterpillar building tools” look I used to be going for. That is essential to say as a result of most coatings on wrist watches are thinner and use several types of molecular bonding utility processes. PVD functions received’t chip off however slightly can scratch off with put on. Given the constraints of how PVD coatings work, it isn’t potential to get something near a brilliant yellow coloration. The ensuing matte “banana-yellow” Cerakote-coated metal case for the Aqua BLK +YLW seems to be so cool for my part, and I really like the feedback I get carrying it. The Aqua BLK + YLW is just not for wearers who don’t need consideration from onlookers.
The UNDONE Aqua itself is a 200-meter water resistant diver-style watch with a 43.5mm-wide case (a bit extra with the crown) and a bezel ceramic insert for the rotating timing bezel. The watch makes use of a thick, AR-coated and domed sapphire crystal over the dial, providing glorious sturdiness and dial legibility. Complete thickness for the case is 16mm. It’s a heavy watch with all of the steel, however extraordinarily comfy on the wrist when worn securely. We needed to make that final half simple by together with an identical yellow NATO-style strap with chunky, rounded black steel hardware.
Contained in the UNDONE Aqua is a Japanese Seiko caliber NH35A automated motion. Within the prototyping part, we really experimented with variations of the UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW with and with out the date. I lastly settled on the “no-date” model as a result of I needed the cleaner crystal (no magnifier) and the extra symmetrical look of a pure time-only dial. The Aqua BLK + YLW palms and hour markers are painted with black-colored Tremendous-LumiNova. There is no such thing as a BLK + YLW branding on the watch, save for a mark on the caseback. I really feel that maintaining the dial pure and about UNDONE is what I need to see every time I have a look at this watch face.
It makes me fairly pleased that UNDONE was in a position to supply the Aqua BLK + YLW at an accessible value of $585 USD. The watch is just not technically a restricted version, however in the event you wait too lengthy you’ll by no means be capable to order one. UNDONE will take orders for the Aqua BLK + YLW till June 15th, 2019. Each watch ordered earlier than that date shall be produced, and no orders shall be taken after that date. This gross sales method permits everybody who desires an UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW watch the chance to get one, but in addition protects the exclusivity of the idea by closing manufacturing at a sure date, permitting us to give attention to future BLK + YLW ideas. If you happen to just like the UNDONE Aqua BLK + YLW watch as a lot as I do, you may order one right here at undone.com/blkylw.
