British designer Tej Chauhan has played with pop-culture visions of the future to create a sci-fi-inspired watch for Swiss brand Rado.
As one of four new watches launching during Rado Design Week on Dezeen next week, the Rado True Square Tej Chauhan has a distinctive identity thanks to its bold use of colour, texture and graphics.
Chauhan took inspiration from movies like A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner and Moon to develop this design language.
This is most apparent in the watch face, where silver-coloured concentric circles and blue indexes create a visually intricate display.
The second hand is picked out in red, while the hour hand has a triangular outline that makes it stand out. There is also a small window, where the date is displayed in a custom-designed font.
The watch case is made from Rado’s high-tech injection-moulded ceramic, which gives it both a smooth, rounded shape and its striking matt yellow finish.
This same shade features on the bracelet, which is made from leather stitched into horizontal cushions. This is fastened with a stainless steel clasp that has a dark grey PVD coating.
Based between London and Helsinki, Chauhan typically uses these kinds of thoughtful details to bring a level of emotion to his industrial design projects.
His diverse portfolio includes everything from cutlery to smartphones, but each project is designed to create a certain type of response, whether it’s amusement or wonder.
Examples include a car tyre that borrows the graphics of a Nike Air Force 1 sneaker and a seat with a cubby for a laptop.
“We strategically use shape, colour and material to bring joy to people,” said Chauhan. “This common foundation of materials, colour and contrast made the collaboration with Rado an absolutely natural process.”
The Rado True Square Tej Chauhan is one of four watches that will launch during Rado Design Week, a week of virtual content hosted exclusively on Dezeen from 30 November to 4 December.
As well as Chauhan, Rado is debuting designs by Italian studio Formafantasma, Japanese office YOY and Indian duo Thukral & Tagra.
All four feature a square face, which is characteristic of every watch in Rado’s True Square collection. It is a shape that has become iconic for the brand.
The watch is powered by a modern automatic calibre, while its front is made from faceted sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, ensuring the watch is highly practical and durable.
More details about the Rado True Square Tej Chauhan will be unveiled during Rado Design Week.
Dezeen will broadcast videos about each of the new watches, as well as live interviews with Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard and the designers involved. Click here to see the schedule.
Rado Design Week takes place from 30 November to 4 December at www.dezeen.com/rado-design-week
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