The Beauty of Utility
Developed in 1958 as Japan’s first "bell-ringing watch," this model continued to sell well for many years, spawning various variations, despite its price of 9,200 yen—almost equivalent to a new university graduate’s starting salary at the time.
The reason for its success, I believe, lies in how the additional alarm function is expressed as an indicator hand at the center of the dial, and in the distinctive crowns placed at the 2 and 4 o’clock positions for ease of use, beautifully integrating function and design.
Excellent design, in my view, is when functionality is so beautifully integrated that one can intuitively understand how to use it and its purpose just by looking at its form, without needing to consult the manual.