YUNIK WATCHES
YUNIK is a new time-wear brand established by Achor Group SA, a Swiss company specialized in jewellery and watch making. With their fashionable and trendy timepieces, the watch brand is reviving the legacy of Murano glass, a material very popular in 13th-century Venice.
Created and directed by the late Luciana Taillefumier, former ACHOR SA has been taken over by three men – initiator Patrick Gassmann, Group Director, promoter Alain Beuret, Group Chairman, and long-term friend Peter Gschwind, Brand Manager. Together, they decided to resurrect the MURANO brand as a tribute to its founder, who saw the full artistic potential of Murano glass, a noble, elegant and particularly unique material.
A true icon of Venetian glassmaking culture, Murano glass is special in that every piece is unique. Its shimmering colours and unstructured curves are created according to traditional craftsmanship, the secrets of which are still fiercely guarded today by master glass-makers. This ancestral expertise earned its Venetian artisans a strong reputation for excellence from the 13th century. To this day, it still takes many years to learn the craft and at least a decade of experience to claim the title of master. The technique involves mixing natural raw materials such as quartz sand, limestone, potassium carbonate and clay. Artisans must also learn the melting points required to obtain the unique shades of Murano glass. Not forgetting the key ingredient – their artistic talent, as art serves to enhance their expertise.
Each YUNIK watch is made by hand from unique glass produced by a master Murano glass-maker in Venice. At Baselworld 2018, YUNIK unveiled an extremely varied selection intended to express the personality of every individual, notably including a collection of larger-sized round watches and a range of tonneau-shaped pieces, as well as series featuring self-winding or hand-wound mechanical movements.
The brand has also developed new variations of murrine – the Italian term for multi-coloured glass canes, formed and combined while hot, then cut crossways. The creations draw inspiration from the latest design and colour trends while incorporating top-quality Swiss movements.
YUNIK timepieces showcase the complex and highly secret technique of producing murrhine. Murano glass, which is known the world over for its millefiori and unique glass designs, is being reinvented by the Delémont-based company to adorn its YUNIK wristwatches, available in a wide range of cases with integrated dial and bracelet variations.
It takes considerable expertise to work Murano glass correctly. Its production requires a mix of a number of natural raw materials, most of which are kept secret. They include substances such as quartz sand, limestone, potassium carbonate and clay. The ingredients are combined in precise quantities to obtain optimum melting properties and to produce the characteristic colours of Murano glass.
Debut Collection – Midi Ladies’ Watch
Made from Murano glass with the greatest respect for this mysterious craft, these timepieces combine a high-quality quartz movement with an Italian design that was incredibly sought after in the 13th century and which is today undergoing a renaissance. Each piece of Murano glass is unique, both in terms of colour and design. Measuring 36 mm in diameter, the case with integrated dial is a masterpiece that called on the know-how of a renowned master glassmaker.
Technical details
Movement: Quartz movement, Swiss made, 5½’’’, RONDA 751 calibre, 7-year autonomy
Functions: Hours, minutes
Case: Murano glass, dial and case in a single piece, 36 mm. Screw-down anti-allergenic steel case back, integrated lugs, splash-resistant
Dial: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Strap: Italian calfskin, vegan version available on request
Price from 400 CHF
