Ok, yes, we have been absolutely hammering the Hands On Horology content recently, but frankly we’re just excited to see all these projects that have been months in the making come to fruition. Projects like the Paulin John Nicol Neo Hands On Horology Edition, exclusives that are available only from the exhibition on June 14th, a fun and colourful collaboration between the Scottish watch brand and the Glaswegian artist.
John Nicol is a lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art using multidisciplinary techniques in his work including drawing, painting, sculpture, music and performance. He has a bold, abstract style that incorporates strong elements of colour and shape. Additionally he’s worked with multiple watch brands on painted dial watches including a previous series with Paulin.
The new series of painted watches uses the Neo as its basis, meaning the dials are housed in a comfortable 38mm steel case that’s powered by the Seiko NH35A automatic movement with a 41-hour power reserve. However, with a watch like this, the actual horological elements of the design feel almost secondary to the artwork on the dial.
Each of the watches in the nine-piece series is completely unique. Describing them in words is virtually impossible because of the nuance of shape and colour as well as the various textural impressions they create. And anyway, art is about interpretation, so you and I may see completely different things. What I will say is that compared to Nicol’s previous Paulin watches, the designs are much more intense and maximalist with powerful stroke and a wide application of colour.
Each watch in the Paulin John Nicol Neo Hands On Horology series is priced at £750, which for a completely unique piece of artwork built into a popular British microbrand watch is great. Avoid missing out by picking up your ticket to Hands On Horology today.
Price and Specs:
More details at Paulin Watches.
My impression(ism), – pun definitely intended, is that painting of watch dials is a step too far, particularly when no hour chapters are included, it’s a “best guess” at the actual time, and after all, the raisin d’etre of a watch is to inform you of the time. I have the long held belief that the beauty of a watch is the sum of it’s main (visual) parts, and can be a thing of beauty in itself (not withstanding some of the hideous watches that are currently available), whilst this watch doesn’t fall into that category, not does the work of John Nicol, I believe that restraint speaks volumes, so, in a nutshell, too bold for my taste.