When Architectural Design Meets Swiss Watchmaking: The Innovative O&W OW 8001 Tundra

Venture onto the online realm of famed tool-watch manufacturer Ollech & Wajs and a world of striking similarity meets the eye, with one distinct exception - the newest member of the family, the OW 8001 ‘Tundra’. This timepiece varies from its counterparts due to its unique origin: it’s a daring experiment, born from the collaboration of the Zurich-based watch brand with the art studio and Norwegian Architectural Design Collective (MIR).

Drawn from a house that is inherently tilted towards architecture, the Tundra promises to intrigue any watch enthusiast with its novel take on horology. At its heart, the Tundra is billed as a study of the intertwining aspects of brutalist human architectural designs with the untamed, rugged charm of natural landscapes. The watch takes its thematic cues from the raw and fierce environment of the tundra, known for its brutal chill.

Striking as they may be perceived, architecture and watch-making do share a serendipitous kinship. Both largely hinge on the creation of visually delightful structures where perception and performance walk hand-in-hand. A good watch, much like a stunning building, is not merely utilitarian but also stirs emotions with its design. Attention to surface finishing and detailing further elevates a watch to the level of a miniature architectural exhibit.

Notwithstanding their distinctive spheres, the design processes of both tell a tale of shared experiences. The Tundra is a testament to this alignment, symbolizing the fusion of architectural art with precise watchmaking. Fueled by the current wave of Brutalist design in architecture, it ventures into unchartered waters of adopting a brutalist essence in watch design. The result is an expression of bold lines, surfaces and proportions that grab the eye, embracing the undiluted profiles and brushed surfaces typical of brutalist landmarks.