Gold Watch Design · 2023
XS Horizon Wrist Watch
by Dabi Robert
- A' Design Award 2023 Gold Winner in Watch Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: Ziiiro
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 531,613
- Verification code 48F9AC4E9E · Verify this award
About XS Horizon Wrist Watch
The XS Horizon watch employs a different approach to show time and was created to introduce a smaller unisex version to the collection. To visualize the present moment and distinguish the past from the future, the watch uses a line moving through time space. The past is depicted with a color shade that gradually fades away as it deviates from the present, while the future is represented by darkness. The aim of the project was to create a range of compact wrist watches suitable for all genders.
The XS Horizon Wrist Watch by Dabi Robert represents a significant contribution to contemporary horological design philosophy, embodying principles of radical reduction and contemplative timekeeping that position it within broader conversations about our relationship with temporal measurement in the digital age. The work demonstrates remarkable restraint in its formal vocabulary, achieving expressive depth through the deliberate limitation of visual elements rather than their accumulation. The concentric dial treatment, with its graduated descent from peripheral gray toward absolute central darkness, invites meditation on the nature of time itself, transforming a functional object into a philosophical instrument. The designer appears to engage with traditions of minimalist product design while introducing a distinctly poetic dimension through the cosmic or astronomical associations evoked by the dial's aperture-like recession. Technical accomplishment manifests in the seamless integration of case and bracelet, where material consistency and tonal harmony create a unified sculptural presence. The mesh band, with its precise geometric weave, provides textural counterpoint to the smooth case surfaces while maintaining the overall chromatic unity essential to the design's success. The singular white accent, positioned with deliberate asymmetry, demonstrates sophisticated understanding of visual balance, providing necessary contrast and functional clarity without disrupting the meditative darkness that defines the piece's character. This timepiece seems to propose that the measurement of time need not be a clinical or anxious activity but rather an opportunity for contemplation and aesthetic engagement. One might consider how the design transforms the quotidian gesture of checking the time into a moment of visual and philosophical pause, inviting the wearer to reflect upon the nature of temporal experience itself.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The XS Horizon is a unique wrist watch that offers a smaller unisex size to the brand's lineup. The watch uses a sharp line moving through time space to visualize the present moment while separating the past and future. The past is represented with a shade of color that fades into oblivion as it diverges from the present, while darkness symbolizes the unknown future.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- This watch features a 316l stainless steel casing with a matte finish, available in Rose Gold or Black options with pvd color. The casing is 9.7mm thick and 31mm wide, with a twist-lock, matte-finished 316l stainless steel case back. The watch face consists of a solid gradient hour disc and a transparent gradient minute disc. The Milanese mesh strap is 16mm wide and comes with a tool-free quick change mechanism. The watch is powered by a Japanese Miyota 2026 quartz movement and has a hardened mineral crystal glass. The battery lasts approximately 2 years, and the watch is water-resistant up to 5 atm.
- Tags
- watch, wrist watch, ziiiro, time, xs, disc, horizon
- Production Technology
- Instead of using hands, the Japanese Miyota quartz movement drives two transparent synthetic discs, which are printed with multiple layers each. The order and opacity of each layer is important to ensure that the gradients are readable with every alignment. The watch casing and strap are made of 316l stainless steel, and pvd color is used for the rose gold and black models. Additionally, the strap features a quick change mechanism at the spring bar.
- Design Challenge
- Over the years, the brand often received the customer feedback that there is demand for a smaller watch. So Robert designed a new casing that is just three quarters the size of all our existing casings. The design is oriented at one of their best selling models, with a refined and flatter appearance. He also developed a new concept for the watch face, which resembles one of the existing models a little bit, but works different technically. For this new dial design, it was necessary to experiment with printing. Not only finding the right Pantone color hues, but also the right order of printing the layers and opacity.
- Project Duration
- The project started in 2022 in Germany & Hong Kong. It took about half a year until we could finalize the product. It was soft-launched in our own shop im March 2023.
- Operation Flow
- Time can be set by pulling out and turning the crown. Time is indicated by two gradients: the one with the solid line shows the minutes, the other one underneath shows hours. To keep the visual appearance minimal, there are no markers. Setting the current time is done like on any traditional watch by turning the crown until the hour and minute hand reach the correct position. The watch strap can be easily removed and replaced by pulling the little lever to the side. The battery has a lifespan of about 2 years and can be replaced by twisting the case back counter clockwise.
- Research
- The brand 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
- The aim of the project was to create a range of compact wrist watches suitable for all genders and specifically anyone who desires a smaller watch. The dial design was inspired by an existing model using a disc and a regular hand, but for this version, it was modified to a new concept featuring two gradient-filled discs. This design not only aligns with the concept of past, present, and future but also produces a more uniform appearance.
- Image Credits
- Robert Dabi