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How Maximalist Luxury Watches Elevate Minimalist Spaces
Discover our top 7 designer tips on how to create bold design aesthetics within the smallest of spaces
February 2024
In a world where space is becoming increasingly limited, minimalism often takes centre stage to simplify design aesthetics. But there’s a modern movement that celebrates the bold, the lavish, and the extravagant.
Enter the art of maximalism - a design philosophy that encourages abundance, details, and a fearless embrace of opulence. While maximalism may seem at odds with the concept of small spaces, its precisely in these confined areas where maximalist design truly shines, making a statement that is both striking and unforgettable.
At the intersection of maximalism and luxury lies the timeless elegance of rectangular watches. These exquisite timepieces, with their sleek lines and refined craftsmanship, have long been revered for their ability to elevate any ensemble. However, creating a stylish and sophisticated rectangular watch that also fits comfortably on the wrist requires design principles that transform small spaces to make a big impact.
So, how can one harness the power of maximalist design using luxury rectangular watches? Our Creative Director and award-winning fashion designer Sunny Fong shares his top 7 tips to inspire you to consider this modern design trend.
Enter the art of maximalism - a design philosophy that encourages abundance, details, and a fearless embrace of opulence. While maximalism may seem at odds with the concept of small spaces, its precisely in these confined areas where maximalist design truly shines, making a statement that is both striking and unforgettable.
At the intersection of maximalism and luxury lies the timeless elegance of rectangular watches. These exquisite timepieces, with their sleek lines and refined craftsmanship, have long been revered for their ability to elevate any ensemble. However, creating a stylish and sophisticated rectangular watch that also fits comfortably on the wrist requires design principles that transform small spaces to make a big impact.
So, how can one harness the power of maximalist design using luxury rectangular watches? Our Creative Director and award-winning fashion designer Sunny Fong shares his top 7 tips to inspire you to consider this modern design trend.
In a world where space is becoming increasingly limited, minimalism often takes centre stage to simplify design aesthetics. But there’s a modern movement that celebrates the bold, the lavish, and the extravagant.
Enter the art of maximalism - a design philosophy that encourages abundance, details, and a fearless embrace of opulence. While maximalism may seem at odds with the concept of small spaces, its precisely in these confined areas where maximalist design truly shines, making a statement that is both striking and unforgettable.
At the intersection of maximalism and luxury lies the timeless elegance of rectangular watches. These exquisite timepieces, with their sleek lines and refined craftsmanship, have long been revered for their ability to elevate any ensemble. However, creating a stylish and sophisticated rectangular watch that also fits comfortably on the wrist requires design principles that transform small spaces to make a big impact.
So, how can one harness the power of maximalist design using luxury rectangular watches? Our Creative Director and award-winning fashion designer Sunny Fong shares his top 7 tips to inspire you to consider this modern design trend.
Enter the art of maximalism - a design philosophy that encourages abundance, details, and a fearless embrace of opulence. While maximalism may seem at odds with the concept of small spaces, its precisely in these confined areas where maximalist design truly shines, making a statement that is both striking and unforgettable.
At the intersection of maximalism and luxury lies the timeless elegance of rectangular watches. These exquisite timepieces, with their sleek lines and refined craftsmanship, have long been revered for their ability to elevate any ensemble. However, creating a stylish and sophisticated rectangular watch that also fits comfortably on the wrist requires design principles that transform small spaces to make a big impact.
So, how can one harness the power of maximalist design using luxury rectangular watches? Our Creative Director and award-winning fashion designer Sunny Fong shares his top 7 tips to inspire you to consider this modern design trend.
1. Measure The Size
1. Measure The Size
Before getting started, make sure you know exactly what you have to work with. Our luxury rectangular watches are ultra thin and have a functional automatic watch movement inside that tend to be thicker and heavier than quartz or mechanical watch movements. There’s only a few millimetres of space for design consideration, so even 0.1mm can make a big difference. Knowing the limitation can spark creative ways to bring considered impact within small boundaries.
Before getting started, make sure you know exactly what you have to work with. Our luxury rectangular watches are ultra thin and have a functional automatic watch movement inside that tend to be thicker and heavier than quartz or mechanical watch movements. There’s only a few millimetres of space for design consideration, so even 0.1mm can make a big difference. Knowing the limitation can spark creative ways to bring considered impact within small boundaries.
2. Determine The Concept
2. Determine The Concept
Always start with a focused idea and articulate the look and feel of the overall design with a mood board. When you are confined to a small space, every detail is important and you want to ensure a cohesive and coordinated aesthetic. When we were designing our VIEREN Black Diamond Watch, we drew inspiration from the modernist architecture of Mies van der Rohe and the tone-on-tone sculptures of Louise Nevelson. The clean lines and monochromatic colour palette allowed us to add layers of details without overwhelming the small space. Having a mood board will help you make defined decisions of what fits within your small space.
Always start with a focused idea and articulate the look and feel of the overall design with a mood board. When you are confined to a small space, every detail is important and you want to ensure a cohesive and coordinated aesthetic. When we were designing our VIEREN Black Diamond Watch, we drew inspiration from the modernist architecture of Mies van der Rohe and the tone-on-tone sculptures of Louise Nevelson. The clean lines and monochromatic colour palette allowed us to add layers of details without overwhelming the small space. Having a mood board will help you make defined decisions of what fits within your small space.
3. Identify The Focal Points
3. Identify The Focal Points
When there are too many ideas, the eye does not know where to look. It’s important to prioritize key moments of impact. Maximalism thrives on layered aesthetics - mixing patterns, textures, and colours to create a rich tapestry of visual interest. On a watch, the dial is often where the focus is. We selected black diamonds individually hand-set onto the indices, layered on top of a stunning but subtle geometric pattern. They are contrasted by a gunmetal icon and hands that standout harmoniously above the intricate dial. Select your hero and rest should follow.
When there are too many ideas, the eye does not know where to look. It’s important to prioritize key moments of impact. Maximalism thrives on layered aesthetics - mixing patterns, textures, and colours to create a rich tapestry of visual interest. On a watch, the dial is often where the focus is. We selected black diamonds individually hand-set onto the indices, layered on top of a stunning but subtle geometric pattern. They are contrasted by a gunmetal icon and hands that standout harmoniously above the intricate dial. Select your hero and rest should follow.
4. Highlight the Details
4. Highlight the Details
Maximalist design often embraces reflective surfaces to amplify light and create an illusion of spaciousness. We reinvented the concept with our signature 18K gold rehaut ring to draw the eye around the matte black dial. Mixing metallic accents that shimmer and reflect off surfaces can bring movement and energy to any composition.
Maximalist design often embraces reflective surfaces to amplify light and create an illusion of spaciousness. We reinvented the concept with our signature 18K gold rehaut ring to draw the eye around the matte black dial. Mixing metallic accents that shimmer and reflect off surfaces can bring movement and energy to any composition.
5. Play With Scale
5. Play With Scale
Don’t be afraid to think big in small spaces. We opted for an oversized exhibition caseback to highlight the quality ETA-2671 automatic watch movement on the caseback. This powerful piece of technology makes a bold statement against the all-black design. The contrast between the meticulously engineered gears and monochromatic colour palette elevates the grandeur of the timepiece and captivates attention when you admire the watch from different angles. Playing with scale and proportion is key, and only select elements that can enhance each other in an elevated way.
Don’t be afraid to think big in small spaces. We opted for an oversized exhibition caseback to highlight the quality ETA-2671 automatic watch movement on the caseback. This powerful piece of technology makes a bold statement against the all-black design. The contrast between the meticulously engineered gears and monochromatic colour palette elevates the grandeur of the timepiece and captivates attention when you admire the watch from different angles. Playing with scale and proportion is key, and only select elements that can enhance each other in an elevated way.
6. Remember To Edit
6. Remember To Edit
While maximalism is about adding, it’s critical to take time to edit. One detail can throw off the entire design - it’s all about finding the right balance. Always look at the design with a discerning eye and ask yourself: “Is this necessary? What value does it add? Is anything taken away if it is removed?” Asking yourself these important questions can help you create a perfectly curated maximalist aesthetic.
While maximalism is about adding, it’s critical to take time to edit. One detail can throw off the entire design - it’s all about finding the right balance. Always look at the design with a discerning eye and ask yourself: “Is this necessary? What value does it add? Is anything taken away if it is removed?” Asking yourself these important questions can help you create a perfectly curated maximalist aesthetic.
7. Showcase Your Personality
7. Showcase Your Personality
Luxury timepieces are exquisite works of art that showcase your identity on the wrist. Your individual style and personality should come through in your design aesthetic. Our love for sleek lines and architecture inspired this collection, so we incorporated all the things that we loved into the watch. “Moments of modernism, architecture, texture, things that are tone-on-tone - it’s that idea of subtlety and sexy together. I try to merge all those ideas into one watch,” says Sunny Fong. Like our timepieces, carefully select and coordinate details that make your personality shine.
Luxury timepieces are exquisite works of art that showcase your identity on the wrist. Your individual style and personality should come through in your design aesthetic. Our love for sleek lines and architecture inspired this collection, so we incorporated all the things that we loved into the watch. “Moments of modernism, architecture, texture, things that are tone-on-tone - it’s that idea of subtlety and sexy together. I try to merge all those ideas into one watch,” says Sunny Fong. Like our timepieces, carefully select and coordinate details that make your personality shine.
SUMMARY
Embracing maximalist design is not easy, but can make a bold impact. By carefully integrating these design tips, you can showcase a truly unique timepiece that exudes style and sophistication. So, dare to be bold, and let your wrist become a canvas for maximalist expression, with a luxury rectangular watch as its crowning jewel.
SUMMARY
Embracing maximalist design is not easy, but can make a bold impact. By carefully integrating these design tips, you can showcase a truly unique timepiece that exudes style and sophistication. So, dare to be bold, and let your wrist become a canvas for maximalist expression, with a luxury rectangular watch as its crowning jewel.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN
As a next-generation watch entrepreneur, Jess’ passion for horology led her to create VIEREN - the coveted new microbrand handcrafting modernist Swiss Made automatic watches to power your time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jess Chow, Founder and CEO VIEREN
As a next-generation watch entrepreneur, Jess’ passion for horology led her to create VIEREN - the coveted new microbrand handcrafting modernist Swiss Made automatic watches to power your time.
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