After winning the auction, a few practical matters had to be arranged:
How do we communicate with each other? When and where do we meet?
How do we want to develop a common design? We agreed that we wanted
to meet at least once at each co-designer's home. Countless emails were
exchanged between ourselves and we met regularly (about ten times) until
we finally completed our joint project successfully. Below we have listed
the individual meetings to document the development from the beginning to the end.
Brugg (Switzerland)
In Brugg, we first conducted a brainstorming session. We quickly agreed
that this watch should be a very individual personalised expression of
ourselves. None of us had any interest in taking an artwork of another
artist and simply putting it on the clock. Neither did we want to ask an
artist to design the watch. We came up with the idea that each one of us
should contribute one picture and design a quarter (quadrant) of the dial
and a quarter of the strap.
Geneva (Switzerland)
In Geneva, we presented our thoughts to the design department of
Swatch®. We further expanded our considerations: Each quarter
designed by each of us should be put on a separate disc. Each disc should
turn in different speeds (similar to the movement of the hour, minute and
second hands).
Madrid (Spain)
Afterwards, we received the design template with the implementation of
our ideas. It turned out that the idea was good indeed, but the result did
not quite convince us at that point in time. Subsequently, Holger sat down
and tried to rearrange the four motives differently and we further
discussed the results in Madrid. It certainly was an improvement, but we
were still not fully convinced.
Biel, Grenchen, Sion (Switzerland)
Then we asked Reto Stöckli about the possibility of visiting the
production sites at Swatch. The aim was to collect fresh ideas for the
existing possibilities of color design but also to explore the possibilities
and limitations in the printing of the case and the straps. We agreed that
the hands of the watch should have the size and color of the Original Jelly
Fish.
Subsequently, we set aside the project for a while. It was difficult to
develop new ideas, to find ourselves in our clock. Afterwards, 2 students
were commissioned to present a number of proposals for the integration of
our four motives in an overall concept for the watch. A workbook was
created. After two days of hard work, we found the design for our clock.
Zurich (Switzerland)
At the Swatch Lab in Zurich, we then presented the results of our efforts
to Carlo Giordanetti and Reto Stöckli. Both were impressed by the
implementation of our idea. We were able to convince them that a
corresponding presentation box for this watch was absolutely necessary.
We also managed to convince both of them that this watch has to be
delivered with two straps (one of which with no holes for collectors).
Heidelberg (Germany)
The style and the form of the presentation box was also designed by us.
The aim was not only to depict the outstanding design but also to
completely highlight the unique design configurations of the watch cases
which were randomly coloured during the production process.
Furthermore, we also wanted to present the story of the design
development in a small booklet accompanying the presentation box which
includes the watch itself and a special presentation of the second watch
strap. Additionally, we each drew lots for each of our five watches.
Zurich (Switzerland)
During the development of the watch, the difficulty in implementing our
idea showed up, especially for the watch case during the manufacturing
process. Three years after the Lot 7 was bought, we approved the
production of the watches, the cases, both straps and also the presentation
box. Finally, we celebrated this success.
Sion (Switzerland)
Our greatest wish to be present during the production of our watch at the
factory in Sion was kindly met. We experienced an unforgettable morning.
All components of our watch were on the production line and production
began on time. Each step was demonstrated to us by the very friendly staff
at the factory and finally, we could hold the finished product in our own
hands. In addition, Nadja brought the prototype of the presentation box.
Our delight at the fantastic final result was simply beyond description.