The Architect’s Timepiece: Watches Designed for Design Minds

For architects, time isn't just measured - it's designed. The right watch should mirror the same principles that define great architecture: intentional proportions, material honesty, and functional beauty. At SAO Architects, we understand how tools can inspire creativity, which is why we've curated this guide to timepieces that speak an architect's language.

The Blueprint for the Perfect Architect's Watch:

1. The Drafting Table Companion

• Nomos Tangente: Bauhaus purity with typographic precision
• Braun BN0032: Dieter Rams' minimalist legacy on your wrist
• Why they work: Uncluttered dials with high-contrast indices for quick glances during design sessions

2. The Site Visit Workhorse

• Casio G-Shock Gravitymaster: Shock-resistant with solar charging
• Seiko Prospex Solar GMT: Tracks multiple time zones for global projects
• Key features: Scratch-resistant sapphire, luminous markers for low-light conditions

3. The Client Meeting Classic

• Junghans Max Bill: The architectural icon of watch design
• Mondaine Official Swiss Railway: Swiss precision meets clean aesthetics
• Design notes: Thin profiles that slide effortlessly under dress shirt cuffs

Material Matters:
We specify watches like we specify buildings:

• Titanium cases for strength without weight
• Sapphire crystals that resist scratches like tempered glass
• Vegetable-tanned leather straps that age with character

Horological Details We Appreciate:

• Small seconds dials that echo drafting compasses
• GMT complications for coordinating with international teams
• Exhibition casebacks revealing mechanical movements like structural details

At SAO Architects, we believe your tools should inspire as much as your designs. Whether you're sketching concepts or reviewing construction documents, the right watch keeps more than time - it keeps your design ethos present.

Material Dialogues: How Watch Construction Mirrors Architectural Detailing

Just as we specify materials for their structural and aesthetic qualities in buildings, the components of a fine watch reflect deliberate engineering choices. At SAO Architects, we appreciate these material conversations:

1. Case Materials

• Stainless Steel → The concrete of watchmaking

  • Why: Ubiquitous, durable, accepts finishes (brushed like formwork, polished like terrazzo)
  • Example: Rolex Oyster case (904L surgical steel) ≈ , High-performance concrete

• Titanium → The cross-laminated timber of watches

  • Why: Lightweight yet strong, corrosion-resistant, warm grey tones
  • Example: Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive ≈ Mass timber structures

• Ceramic → The glazed curtain wall

  • Why: Scratch-proof, colour-stable, modern sheen
  • Example: IWC Pilot's Watch Ceratanium® ≈ Fritted glass façades

2. Crystals

• Sapphire → Tempered low-iron glass

  • 9/10 hardness (diamond is 10), nearly invisible when anti-reflective coated

• Mineral Glass → Laminated safety glass

  • Cost-effective with good impact resistance

3. Straps & Bracelets

• Stainless Steel Mesh → Cable net façades

  • Flexible yet strong, light-play through articulated links

• Vegan Leather → Carbon-neutral insulation

  • Performance without compromise, like cork or mycelium-based materials

4. Movements

• Automatic (Mechanical) → Passive house systems

  • Self-sustaining through natural motion

• Solar Quartz → Photovoltaic integration

  • Converts ambient energy like building-integrated solar

Why This Matters
We specify a titanium watch case for the same reason we specify titanium cladding:
✔ Long-term performance over decades
✔ Honest material expression without superfluous coatings
✔ Weight-to-strength ratios that improve user experience

Just as Mies van der Rohe insisted on structural honesty in his buildings, the best watches celebrate rather than conceal their materiality.

Material Harmony: Pairing Watches with Thoughtful Straps

Just as architects consider how materials age together—like weathering steel and reclaimed wood—the right leather watch strap can deepen a timepiece’s character over time. For architects who appreciate patina and precision, a high-quality leather watch strap offers the same thoughtful materiality we value in buildings: vegetable-tanned hides develop unique wear patterns like oxidised metal cladding, while reinforced stitching mirrors the durability of structural seams.

Whether you’re pairing a minimalist strap with a Bauhaus-inspired watch or opting for a textured band to contrast a polished case, the details follow the same rule as architectural finishes—materials should elevate, not overwhelm.

SAO Architects' Material Selection Principle:
"If you wouldn't use it in a building joint, question it on your wrist."