Tokujin Yoshioka designs new Issey Miyake O-Bold watch, inspired by the shape of water

Japanese designer and artist Tokujin Yoshioka, known for his minimal, uncluttered design language, created a water-inspired timepiece back in 2011, centred on the concept of 'shape of water—transparent time’ for Issey Miyake Watch. With O-Bold, the second watch in the ‘O’ series, Yoshioka updates the signature wristwatch for Issey Miyake, celebrating its 10^th anniversary. Launching publicly on April 21, 2023, via Seiko Watch, the watch model will appear in a special showcase at the Issey Miyake Milan store during Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023.

The series embodies transparent materials, giving rise to non-specific forms, like water, and marks the passage of time as if it were encapsulated inside. The O-Bold features a widened bangle shape that fits around the wrist and has a smaller diameter than existing models, making it more comfortable for people with thinner wrists. The watch design's mono name draws inspiration from the French word for water (eau). “Made of transparent materials, the 'O' series has no concrete "shape," like water, and radiates the brilliance of the moment, silently marking the passage of time as if it were encapsulated inside. Since its launch, the 'O' series has constantly evolved into a variety of colours and variations," the brand relays.

The product design emphasises 'Bold & Fit' as its design keywords. At approximately 39g, the watch is extremely lightweight, almost designed to make the wearer forget they are even wearing it. Inching towards sustainability, the case it comes in is made of biodegradable paper fibres, softened in water and moulded into a three-dimensional shape sans glue, to minimise its environmental impact.

"Carefully polished and transparent, the bangle's soft, curving contours add a touch of elegance," they continue. In its sophisticated design that comes in two colour variations, 'smoked' and 'clear,' O-Bold serves the dual purpose of being a timepiece as well as a decorative bracelet, suitable to complement any outfit, a perfect example of a functional and stylish watch.

"The mirror-finished dial combined with the bangle reflects the surrounding scenery, allowing the wearer to enjoy an ever-changing look that varies according to the place and scene," according to Issey Miyake Watch. The O-Bold watch is powered by a quartz movement VJ20, with an average accuracy of ±20 seconds per month and a battery life of approximately three years.

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