Gold Jewelry Design · 2021
Jupiter Watch
by Dabi Robert
- A' Design Award 2021 Gold Winner in Jewelry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Ziiiro
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 65,234
- Verification code 37CF0947DE · Verify this award
About Jupiter Watch
Inside the Jupiter watch, steel spheres are rolling in hydraulically pressed channels, held in place by magnetic force. The wavelike dial is inset into the convex shaped crystal glass, which prevents the spheres from leaving their paths. A glass dome covering the top watch area transitions into the stainless steel casing seamlessly. With omission of a visible stem, watch hands or markings, there are no elements to distract from the time-telling spheres. Despite the absence of visible watch hands, a conventional quartz movement is being used to drive the planetary time indicator.
Dabi Robert's Jupiter Watch represents a compelling intersection of horological tradition and sculptural innovation, emerging from contemporary design practices that challenge conventional expectations of timekeeping instruments. The work participates in an ongoing dialogue within luxury accessory design that questions the necessity of traditional dial conventions, proposing instead an experiential approach to temporal awareness through abstract formal language. The case construction demonstrates exceptional command of metalworking techniques, with the seamless transition from outer rim to stepped interior dial suggesting advanced manufacturing processes that achieve organic fluidity within industrial materials. Particularly notable is the relationship between the highly polished exterior surfaces and the more subdued finish within the concentric channels, creating subtle material dialogue that rewards close examination. The spherical elements positioned within the dial's central plateau introduce an element of playful mystery, their precise function remaining beautifully ambiguous while their visual presence anchors the composition's gravitational center. The mesh bracelet selection reveals considered material sensitivity, its densely woven construction providing both visual texture and implied tactile pleasure while maintaining chromatic unity with the case. Thematically, the design evokes celestial mechanics, the concentric rings suggesting planetary orbits or the rippling surface of a cosmic body, an association reinforced by the spherical dial elements that might represent satellites or orbital markers. This astronomical reference elevates the timepiece beyond mere functional object toward contemplative instrument, inviting wearers to consider their relationship with cosmic time rather than merely scheduled appointments. The composition's formal restraint and geometric purity align with minimalist design philosophies while the sculptural depth prevents austerity, achieving that rare balance between intellectual rigor and sensory pleasure. One might consider how this timepiece reframes the act of checking time as an opportunity for momentary meditation upon larger celestial rhythms.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This minimal timepiece uses a conventional watch movement to drive a unique planetary watch face. Hours and minutes are shown by little steel spheres that are moving inside circular channels of the hydraulic pressed dial, which is inset into the convex shaped crystal glass. There is no visible stem or watch hand. The glass dome covers the whole front facing area of the watch and creating interesting light reflections.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Casing Material: 316L stainless steel, sandblasted
Case Size Thickness: 14.0 mm, Width: 41 mm
Case Back: 316L Stainless steel, matte, screwed on case back
Hands: Stainless steel spheres
Watch dial: Convex shaped by hydraulic press, sandblasted polishing
Crown: at 3 Hour Position
Strap: Width 20 mm, 316L stainless steel Milanese mesh
Movement: Swiss Ronda 502 (Far east manufactured)
Glass: Concave polished hardened mineral crystal
Battery: SR920SW
Water Resistant: 5 ATM - Tags
- watch, wrist watch, ziiiro, time, magnets, jupiter, spheres
- Production Technology
- Compared to traditional watches, the Jupiter watch uses an additional layer of hydraulic pressed brass above the dial to separate its' time indicators from the movement. Little steel spheres are placed into these pressed rails and pulled by magnets underneath this layer. Crystal glass is being sanded into a deep convex shape and placed above the visible part of the dial, so that the steel spheres are being trapped between glass and dial. The magnets themselves are being powered by a conventional Swiss Ronda quartz watch movement.
- Design Challenge
- This project started with a foil that can visualise magnetic fields. We prototyped a watch using this foil as watch face and moving magnets underneath. The magnets produce a darker trail when they move along. After further experiments using iron powder, the final design of the Jupiter watch combines the visual appearance of magnetic trails with a more straightforward way of incorporating magnets while ensuring good readability and timeless design.
- Project Duration
- The project started in Mid 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany and Hong Kong. It was released for purchase in Sept. 2020. In Japan, it was released through a crowdfunding campaign, which achieved 7000% funding.
- Operation Flow
- Time can be set by pulling out and turning the crown. The two steel spheres indicate the current time, the inner one shows minutes while the outer one shows hours. To keep the visual appearance minimal, there are no markers. When setting the time, the spheres have to be moved into the correct position in relation to the watch orientation.
- Research
- ZIIIRO is all about unique ways of telling the time. We are aware that the purpose of a traditional wrist watch has evolved from time teller into a status symbol or accessory for expressing one's personality and fashion style. In order to figure out the fashion part, we exhibited at the Berlin fashion week 4 times, where we could get feedback from all over the world. After additional market research by making polls and looking at our customer base, we discovered that a large portion of our fans is affiliated to the creative industry. Since being creative is our credo, it shows that we are doing something right.
- Inspiration
- I had the very first idea of a magnetic watch when I stumbled upon flux detector foil, a thin film than can visually detect magnetic fields. By prototyping these ideas, the concept evolved into the design of the Jupiter watch, which is simpler and more straightforward than earlier takes using iron powder or foil. To give the evolving spheres more significance, the dial is visually elevated into the glass.
- Image Credits
- Image #1-5: Robert Dabi, 2020