Gucci’s new ‘Grip’ watch, which genuinely works on both a man’s or a woman’s wrist, is a brilliant mash-up of a century’s worth of the best horological design. Heavily inspired by the luxury sports watches of the 1970s, its square dial with round edges was a period tick of the time.
The mix of brushed- and polished-metal finishes pay joyful homage to Gérald Genta’s 1970 ‘Royal Oak’ design for Audemars Piguet, while the ‘no-dial’ dial can be attributed to Austrian watchmaker Josef Pallweber, who patented his modern ‘digital’ display in 1883. It’s been a long time coming but, in 2019, in the polymath hands of Gucci’s Alessandro Michele, the fashion timepiece has finally evolved into a high-street watch with a greatest-hits design culture all its own. §
As originally featured in the October 2019 issue of Wallpaper* (W*247)
Left, ‘Grip’ watch in stainless-steel PVD and green Alligator leather strap, with swiss quartz movement, £1,320; right, ‘Grip’ watch in yellow-gold PVD and brown leather strap, with swiss quartz movement, £1,150, both by Gucci
INFORMATION
-
Revolutionary Apple icon designer Susan Kare unveils a playful jewellery and objet collaboration with Asprey StudioAsprey Studio's new collection, Esc Keys, brings digital artworks by Susan Kare to life
-
What is the role of fragrance in contemporary culture, asks a new exhibition at 10 Corso ComoMilan concept store 10 Corso Como has partnered with London creative agency System Preferences to launch Olfactory Projections 01
-
Jack White's Third Man Records opens a Paris pop-upJack White's immaculately-branded record store will set up shop in the 9th arrondissement this weekend
-
High watchmaking meets fantasy in Gucci’s second collection of watchesGucci has stayed faithful to its rich design aesthetic in the new watch collection
-
Gucci’s new watch is a technical triumphReleased to mark the brand’s centenary, the GUCCI 25H watch brings sporty elegance to industrial design
-
Audemars Piguet unveils new Royal Oak watches for womenThe eight new Royal Oak models from Audemars Piguet are in a spectrum of hues
-
Baselworld 2015: as the battle of the smartwatches commences, here’s our connected watch update
