This week’s watch comes from one of my favorite out of the box watch designers, Arny Kapshitzer, and his brand AK Geneve. First announced in 2008 you only have to take one look at the HMS Automatic Warp watch to realize what makes it unique. Yet it is so much more complex than that. That the designer had a possibly unhealthy obsession with a certain popular Sci-Fi series from the 1960s is obvious. What isn’t so apparent at first look is the level of complexity and ingenuity that this watch represents. Admittedly you won’t hit warp speed wearing this piece but you certainly will break a few boundaries.
Melding Wrist And Watch
As I’ve already mentioned Arny was quite taken with the Star Trek series, hence the name and also the reason why he chose to give the case of his watch a shuttle shape, conveying the notion of aerodynamic speed. Emphasizing this concept of streamlined movement the elongated case has been designed to form an extension of the arm, creating a kind of synergy between wearer and watch not normally seen in a watch of this size.
To reflect the fact that the arm is always slimmer at the wrist joint, the watch has been engineered to be thicker on the crown side. A small detail perhaps but this remarkable design works to guide the lines of the watch so that it fits more snugly with the shape of the arm. This, of itself is rather unusual as most watches are designed to sit on top of the wrist, whereas the HMS Automatic is designed to meld with the wrist.
Keeping this sleek design firmly strapped to your wrist is a custom made bracelet formulated from perfluorinated, hypoallergenic rubber that resists all acids. Yes, it is more expensive but it also much more reliable over time than the vast majority of rubbers currently available. Displaying his design genius even in the smallest of details Kapshitzer created a clasp that is recessed into the inner surface of the bracelet so as not to injure or impede the wrist of the wearer.
Mission Control
Undoubtedly though, it is the dial that has really caught your attention. Keeping with the watch’s overall sci-fi theme it resembles something out of a spaceship mission control panel. Located directly in the line of sight of the wearer a cut-away metal piece reveals the jumping hours and minutes on two superimposed discs. The seconds are displayed at 3 o’clock on a cylinder linked directly to the crown with 9 o’clock forming the tail of the “spaceship”.
Flying Into The Future
Not only is the design of the case very futuristic its construction is also quite out of this world. Whilst it is not readily apparent simply by looking at the watch, the middle piece is made entirely of compressed carbon fibre. This serves several purposes, making the watch not only highly shock resistant but also exceptionally light. Composed of 15 different pieces, each one has been lovingly screwed on, using a total of 34 screws. The crown also consists of 20 individual pieces, all of which serve a purpose.
Not Quite Warp Speed
Powering the AK HMS Automatic is the Time Engine 001, a relatively basic automatic movement which has been created in collaboration with Concepto. However, as one expects from such a unique piece attention to detail and the use of exotic materials is almost standard. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the oscillating weight is made of iridium alloy with a carbon-fibre plate. The telescopic crown is directly linked to the movement, and is not screw-on but instead has a bayonet fitting and is mounted on a titanium shock-absorber.
The Final Word
It is no secret that this watch will not suit everyone’s taste but it is highly doubtful that that was ever the intention of the designer. I think what you need to take away from this piece is the incredible attention to detail and the demonstration of what is possible. Complex but at the same time simplistic this is something that has been designed, much like the ship it was modeled off, to be used not just admired. Besides, whether you’re a fan of Star Trek or not it is very difficult to deny the sci-fi ‘coolness’ factor of this watch!
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