Seiko has chosen to revisit one of its most innovative watch designs after 11 years. Made for the visually impaired, its voice-digital is the continuation of a line of watches developed to help those who have lost their sight.
Seiko’s line of watches for the visually impaired started in 1939 with a tactile pocket watch for those injured in the war, then in 1966 with a wristwatch version, then 1979 with a quartz version, and finally in 1998 with the voice digital watch. This new model updates the concept of the 1998 model with a round case design. The watch can read off the time in a robotic voice, has a digital display, and has an alarm and stopwatch function. Not only reserved for the elderly and visually impaired, the new Voice Digital watch can also fit into any modern lifestyle.
While the watch officially launches on December 11, news has also surfaced that it has already won a Good Design Award. Those interested can expect this watch to drop in three different color options priced at ¥18,700 JPY (approximately $178 USD). Head over to Seiko Japan for more info.
Issey Miyake‘s Roku watch collaboration with industrial designer Konstantin Grcic is set to receive a shot in the arm. The understated timepieces have emerged in a limited edition navy edition, elevated by a wide leather strap at the rear.
Known for his work with clients like Vitra and Flos, the Berlin-based Grcic is in high demand. His work for Miyake’s watch line intelligently flips the sub-labels name, “Roku,” on its head, yielding a case with six points. This limited version takes on a navy hue, expanded underneath with a slab of tonal calf leather. The matching strap is attached to a stainless steel case realized with a quiet, numeral-free design that emphasizes the branding and simple indices.
“Roku draws upon the correlation between two geometries: a hexagon and a circle,” Grcic explained. “The six-sided watch case relates to the 12 hours chronometry. The round dial resembles the circular movement of time. Two strong shapes that interplay with each other. Just like the notion of time: The continuous passing of hours/minutes/seconds on the one hand, the punctuation of certain events on the other.”
View Issey Miyake Roku stockists on Issey Miyake’s website.
In 1965, Citizen introduced its Crystal Seven (C7) watch series. These watches, now collector’s items, represented a timepiece revolution thanks to their ultra-thin week and date display — setting a new benchmark for automatic mechanical watches — and slick crystal-covered face, which gave the series its name. 55 years later, the Japanese company is reviving the collection with a dozen new models inspired by the original C7 watches, each intended for different lifestyles and tastes.
A new set of mineral crystals protect the face, which retains the unique structure; rather than the week display being located at the three o’clock position, the C7 watches place it at 12 o’clock, below the Citizen logo, for a clean finish. The compact design is powered by the new Citizen C7 8200 movement and boasts waterproof capabilities down to 50 meters.
Key to this launch is the distinct variants of C7 watches on hand. The dozen iterations are split between four lifestyle categories: Dress, Casual, Formal and Active, each hosting three watches apiece. Dress watches are elegant, blending neutral face hues with a dark leather strap. Casual and Formal watches each sit atop steel straps, but the former style toys with flashy metal cases while the latter keeps things simple with silver tones throughout. Finally, the Active watches are effortlessly sleek, with a trim leather strap and red, green or grey dials.
The C7 watch lineup is currently available Citizen’s Hong Kong website.
After the duo introduced a Silver Ana-Digi Temp Watch earlier this summer, BEAMSand Citizen have reunited for a duo of retro timepieces. Offered in black and silver, the Ana-Digi returns in two circular variations.
Complete with black polyurethane straps and monochrome faces, the BEAMS-exclusive Round Face Ana-Digi Temp watches are graced by matte metal cases and extra functionality. This includes the analog-digital displays, thermometers, chronographs and alarms, all located on one crowded face. Convex glass and enlarged characters yield heightened visibility, regardless of model — black or silver. BEAMS branding on the rear of each timepiece drives the collaborative nature home.
Both iterations of the timepiece are available for pre-order on BEAMS’ website.
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