Historical Intelligence and Elegance

COSMOSIGN

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2024.03.25

The light of the stars was emitted long ago. For example, the light from Betelgeuse in the famous Orion constellation takes about 496 to 788 years to reach us today.
In the past, watches were practical tools valued only by the learned, and simply owning one was a mark of distinction. This watch is one of those models that makes us rediscover the true value of a timepiece. The dial tells the grand history that has accumulated since the Sumerian era, and even those unfamiliar with it are captivated by this watch.
Analog watches intuitively let us sense both the past and the future from their dials, but this watch, with its precise star chart, even shows constellations that are invisible during the day. It gives the wearer both meaning and romance in owning it.
The dress watch-inspired design, which appears slim and thin so as not to detract from the star chart, may seem understated but actually makes a clear statement. The stepped bezel resembles an ancient structure. The delicate cat-like lugs bite into the bezel. The back is cut with a large curve. The slender hands maximize the visibility of the star chart. Each element seems decorative, but by unifying them in gold, the watch achieves a dignified harmony and the tailoring of a historical dress watch. In short, it is a dress watch that wears history.

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The case is entirely finished with a polished mirror surface, as if trying to make its presence as subtle as possible. The lugs are also made to look as thin as possible by being constructed in two tiers.

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Because of the full mirror finish, when the watch is placed flat, the area below the lugs is not visible, making it appear much thinner than it actually is.

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The lines connecting the constellations are actually not fixed. Also, the illustrations of the twelve zodiac signs are slightly offset from the star chart, but this was done for visual appeal.

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The unified italic font in gold further accentuates the elegance.

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Stars from magnitude 4.5 to 1 are represented by the size of the dots. Red, orange, and yellow giants are color-coded in several shades.

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The distinctive three-tiered bezel has the upper two tiers with rounded edges, and the lowest tier with a sharp edge. This emphasizes the lowest edge, while the upper two tiers blur the outline, making the bezel appear thinner. The ridge step of the lugs, created by pressing, looks even smoother and thinner thanks to the polished finish. Also, since the base of the lugs is higher than the bezel, the watch appears even thinner. The back is cut away deeply, so when placed flat, the area below the lugs is not visible, making it look thinner. The result is a watch that is thin, slender, smooth, and elegantly crafted.

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Retro Future

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Feeling Light

Urushi beads, diamonds, and smoked glass—each reflects light differently, revealing a model with depth and ever-changing expressions depending on the light source and time of day. The simplicity of the case shape and dial design highlights the beauty of the details, allowing you to sense not mechanical time, but the gentle passage of time illuminated by light. Although there are no indexes on the dial, the hour and minute hands are easy to read, giving the impression of a bracelet that also functions as a watch. Furthermore, urushi lacquer is not presented in the traditional way, but is fused with the watch in a modern design, letting you enjoy a contemporary expression of traditional craftsmanship. Despite its asymmetrical shape, it is comfortable to wear and offers a special feeling, as if wearing modern jewelry.

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Vitality of Nature

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From Small Cues to Decoration

"Band, hands, circle"—these are the minimal components by which people recognize a watch. ◆ A watch is a "wrist" watch because it has a band. ◆ A watch is a watch because it has hands. ◆ Time was created from the recurring cycles (circles) of celestial bodies. This model seems to be a textbook example of a "watch" that focuses on these three elements. By lavishly decorating these three elements, it clearly establishes the hierarchy among the other components. Isn’t this the ideal model for all watches, combining the "watch-like" qualities users seek with the beauty of an ornament that satisfies them?