With the watch world seemingly stuck wearing rose-tinted specs, we’re getting to know the design ethos of the 60s and 70s pretty well. They’re being drilling into our memories by ever other new release. It’s almost a relief then to see that Milus have instead decided to return to the 90s – the only decade I’d be happy to return to of those particular years.
But forget the existential horror that was 90s pop, and whatever the hell Koosh balls were. The Milus LAB Collection is all about the design, a throwback to the brand’s own aesthetic codes of the era.
The 40mm case embodies the old adage of ‘less is more’ with a simple yet refined shape, similar to some of the Bauhaus-esque timepieces for the likes of Junghans and Nomos Glashutte. Where the LAB differs however is in the dial.
We’re used to seeing strange and unusual dials, from engraved gold to meteorite to fine jade, but fibreglass is new to us. Available in three colours – light grey, dark grey and blue – this particular form of fibreglass was made exclusively for Milus, turning a material with perhaps not the best provenance into a striking feature. The visible grain or fibres add texture to what would otherwise be a pared-back, minimal watch.
The result is a cool, urban watch with the kind of dial you’ll remember once seen. Powered by a solid Sellita SW200 movement and finished on a canvas strap in grey, black or blue, the Milus LAB is a unique combination of industrial design and watchmaking.
The 90s might not have had the best of… well, most things to be honest, but it had some things going in its favour. At the very least, the Milus LAB is a hell of a lot better than the Spice Girls, and for CHF 990 is a seriously cool watch for the money.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: Milus LAB 01
Ref: MIL.01.001 (light grey), MIL.01.002 (dark grey), MIL.01.003 (blue)
Case/Dial: 40mm diameter, brushed / polished steel 316L
Water Resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: Calibre Sellita SW200, automatic self-winding
Power Reserve: 38h
Strap: Black cotton with grey leather lining, brushed / polished steel 316L clasp
Price: CHF 990
More details at Milus’ website.
