The interplay of textures on the S01 – Arche

If watchmaking is the art of capturing time, architecture is that of taming space and light. It is at the intersection of these two disciplines that the spirit of our creations comes to life.

To travel is to learn to look at our surroundings through a new lens. For the designers in our watchmaking studio, every alleyway, every material, and every structure can become the spark for a future project. This is precisely what happened in the heart of Seoul’s fascinating urban landscape back in 2024.

“It was during a trip to Seoul that, around a street corner, I stumbled upon this geometric building. As I often do when travelling, I took detailed photographs to draw inspiration from later on. It was this interplay of textures and the way it works with light that I wanted to bring to life on the dial of this Series 01.” - Antonin

GRAPHIC AND PROFOUNDLY

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

Far from conventional shapes, the Korean building that inspired the Arche Series 01 stands out for its radical architectural approach.

Designed by WGSN, a pioneering practice renowned for its avant-garde exploration of trends and materials, this structure embodies a vision where aesthetics anticipate function. Its facade does not merely occupy space: it structures it through rigorous geometry, sharp lines, and remarkable relief work.

It was the raw character of the facade that particularly caught our attention. By reinterpreting the unique grain of this mineral texture at the very heart of the dial, we sought to capture the way it catches the sunlight.

This visual tension, where light dialogues with subtle textures and the grain of the material, has become the cornerstone of our creative process.