edited by tobia piatto (tobia.piatto@positive-magazine.com)
Designer Kitmen Keung Launches The Long Distance Watch
The design explores how people’s perception can be diverted into an everyday object. The clarity of the secondary clock face has been delicately dimmed to appear like a shadow on the interface, acting as a quiet conscious reminder of the distance between the user and someone on the other side of the globe.
The project was guided by principles at a high level of abstraction which leaves much room for user’s interpretation. Yet the series is executed as an usual everyday item which is seem very direct and simple when viewed in person. The border between reality and immateriality is blurred. It called for a design process guided by function and practicality which led to an exterior expression of the interplay between simple geometric forms and modern materials. The design is an embodiment of general vision of culture and modern industrial design, stated with clarity and simplicity using materials that are configured to express their own individual character. The project is a careful, logical practice searching for the most appropriate status of a design’s form, material use, finish and its overall ethos. The full comprehension of its content can only be understood when layering out in full.
The work that goes into making each Long Distance Watch is a partially machine and partially slow craft process which results in each piece a fine individual work with subtle differences. The watch features a two-part lugged 39 mm stainless steel case with chamfered bezel in brushed finish, housing a pair of two individual 3-hand quartz Japan movements with the second hand removed from the right hand side clock face. The off white brass dial paired with greyish aluminum hands and layered indexes are entirely in matt paint finish. The linear, perpendicularly designed lugs hold a black Argentina made calf leather strap complimented by a sharp edged solid buckle at its end. The timepiece is made from surgical grade 316L stainless steel and measured 7.3 mm in depth giving a thin silhouette for practical daily dressing. Water resistant 5 ATM; hardened crystal lens; available in silver and IP gold only.
