Project O – Concept Watch « O1» by Matthieu Keller

Paris based industrial designer Matthieu Keller presents Project O – Concept Watch O1, an innovative mechanical timepiece that boasts a perfect balance between an avant-garde design and timekeeping nostalgia. O1 is a wristwatch providing a supplement of mysterious fashion, minimalist and with studied simplicity.

Presented under the “Project O” trademark, created for this purpose, this concept derives from the chemical symbol for oxygen, which perfectly represents the form and spirit of our company that wishes to offer its singular design vision while respecting trade practices.

Matthieu Keller, founder and designer, was previously involved in naval construction that contributed to his proficiency with precision industrial design, but a passion for watchmaking and for the evolution of industrial techniques and materials, such as polymers, provided the key elements behind this company.

This innovative concept, has its own DNA, of noble size but not over-dimensioned, transparent as crystal in order for its movement to be visible from every angle, and beyond that its inner workings, a watch that is both feminine and masculine, elegant yet sporty, ideal for wearing all circumstances and affordable to all.

It is unique and a first in terms of its design , since in order to successfully create a watch with such smooth edges, without ridges, thereby allowing light to penetrate perfectly, without obstacles and/or refraction, its case and crystal have been poured from a single piece.

This project’s designer, Matthieu Keller from Paris, France, decided to found this company that will be called “Project O”, the chemical symbol for oxygen, since it perfectly represents the company’s form and spirit as well as his desire to provide accessible creativity in the paradise for creators that is Paris.

Indeed, this company wishes to once again offer a quality product at a reasonable price with a preference for artistic values over monetary values, unlike what is commonly seen these days.

This watch will be produced with French industrial partners that offer recognised know-how, except for the movement, with the bottom of the box being proudly engraved with the words “made in France”, a country that can be proud of its long-standing contribution as the cradle of the development of timekeeping.

With design and technical requirements perfectly aligned, O1 offers a supplement of mysterious fashion, minimalist and with studied simplicity. A mysterious roller with icy reflections, enveloping a sober and luminous dial at its centre.

A skeletal automatic movement visible to the eye, a heartbeat that will be watched with never ending fascination. A 36-point stainless steel winding mechanism crown with elegant aesthetics. Hands, hours and minutes with a blue satin finish and open centre, swept by a black second hand with an extended counterweight.

Its black crocodile band will provide the modern design of this watch with elegance when worn on the wrist, as it leads into the very interior of the case, such as to maintain the roundness of the case, which is easily interchangeable.

The watch features an innovative polymer design, with all-new technical characteristics, made from a totally transparent, perfectly smooth and brilliant material, with a light transmission factor higher than that of glass (refraction index of 1.49), it is also lighter (density of 1.19 g/cm³ versus 2.53 g/cm³ for glass), resistant to scratches, UV rays and ageing (no yellowing), but also nearly 7 times as resistant as glass of equal thickness.

The case and its transparent polymer crystal are formed from a single piece (case / crystal), thereby offering a highly resistant yet ultra-light case, with a perfectly smooth structure, and with no edges of any kind, a first for a watch in this category.

The movement’s support and the dial have also been designed from a single piece of transparent polymer, thereby offering a view and aesthetics of the greatest purity, with this piece at the centre of the watch also being available in different colours. Made of the same material, the back closes the case by pressure, leaving it sealed but with the movement and its rotor visible.

The retail price range of the Project O – Concept Watch « O1» is from €750 to €945.

Technical details

Movement
Calibre Miyota 8N24-E21 skeleton
Self-winding mechanical movement
11½’’’ lines
Diam. 26.00 mm / height 5.55 mm
Vibrations 21.600 per hour
Shock-absorber for balance staff
21 jewels

Functions
Hours / Minutes / Seconds

Case
Polymer (Color less)
Diam. 44.00mm
Thickness 14.30mm
Crown: Crown screw down, stainless steel
Case-Back: Polymer (Color less)
Water-Resistant: To 5 bars (50 meters) approx.

Dial
Polymer (Color less / Black / Green)

Hands
Hours / Minutes: blue, skeleton
Seconds: Baton

Strap/ Clasp
Black Crocodile grain (padded profile)
Diam. 20/18 mm
Clasp

Weight
Lightweight (33 g)

Warranty
Two years

Website: https://project-o-concept.com/en/13-watches