Outstanding design and its makers: Wristwatch “Minimatik”
Once a year, the jury of the Red Dot Award: Product Design awards objects with high quality design. In 2016, only 1.5 percent of around 5,200 entries received the highest distinction “Red Dot: Best of the Best”. It goes to the best products of a category. The wristwatch “Minimatik” for instance stood out in the watch category.
Even in the digital age, mechanical wristwatches are more than ever an expression of personal lifestyle. The Minimatik watch has got a slender and minimalist design language. The Red Dot jury stated: “With its pronounced flat case, the Minimatik wristwatch elevates minimalism into new spheres. Its automatic movement, which measures only 3.2 mm in height, represents an impressive innovation. It is fascinating how perfectly the movement is fitted into the watch case. An expression of high expertise are also the well-balanced proportions of the dial and hands as well as their sophisticated colour concept.”
The outstanding design achievement is the result of a successful cooperation: Minimatik is manufactured by NOMOS Glashütte and designed by Berlinerblau as well as Studio Hannes Wettstein. Red Dot talked to Simon Husslein from Studio Hannes Wettstein.
Red Dot: Why did you become a designer?
Simon Husslein: Even at an early age, I was interested in how things work. I am fascinated by the challenge of giving needs a lasting form.
What are the challenges in your everyday work?
Regardless of whether it is a piece of furniture or a timepiece, at the end of the day, it’s all about finding solutions that remain relevant in the long run. Customers should be able to identify with a product for as long as possible, as it is meant to be a lasting representation of the brand.
How do you define design quality?
The term design quality applies when form, character and function of an object are obvious and coherently presented. This comes about if the designer takes a long time before being satisfied with the result.
The Red Dot Award: Product Design starts in October 2016.
