Imagine a watch designed by a renowned architect, combining minimalist elegance and functionality for drivers. This is the bold challenge taken up by Lebond Watches with its new creation, the Souto Moura. Discover how this little watchmaking gem reinvents the codes of the driver's watch while offering surprising comfort on a daily basis.
A unique collaboration between architecture and watchmaking
The Lebond Souto Moura is the result of an unprecedented collaboration between the Barcelona brand Lebond Watches and the Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, winner of the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2011. This watch embodies the architect's minimalist vision applied to the world of watchmaking.
The concept of Lebond Watches is simple but revolutionary: to call upon world-renowned architects to reinvent watch design. After a first model designed by Álvaro Siza, it is now Eduardo Souto de Moura's turn to take up the challenge.
The result is a redesigned driver's watch, combining extreme thinness and ergonomics. Asier Mateo, founder of Lebond, worked hand in hand with the architect to transform his vision into a functional and comfortable watch.
A minimalist design that revisits the codes of the driver's watch
The Lebond Souto Moura is distinguished by its 38.5 mm circular case in grade 5 titanium, devoid of traditional lugs. This original design allows for a total thickness of only 7.6 mm, including the domed sapphire crystal.
The dial, tilted at 30 degrees, takes up the principle of classic driver's watches, allowing easy reading of the time when the hands are on the wheel. Souto de Moura adds his distinctive minimalist touch:
– A large marker at 12 o’clock, combined with a small Arabic numeral “2” to form the “12”– Smaller markers at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock– Thin lines for 5-minute intervals and dots for individual minutes
The watch is available in two versions:– The Original Edition with a lacquered light beige dial and a navy blue Nappa leather strap– The Dark Edition with a lacquered matte grey dial and a black Nappa leather strap
A technical feat in the service of comfort
Despite its bold design, the Lebond Souto Moura is surprisingly comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Several factors contribute to this:
– Its featherweight of 46 grams, which makes it almost imperceptible on the wrist– Its diameter of 38.5 mm, suitable for most body types– Its soft Nappa leather strap and its ultra-light titanium folding clasp
The ETA 2892-2 automatic movement, visible through the sapphire crystal case back, offers up to 50 hours of power reserve. Its careful finishing (blued screws, Côtes de Genève, circular graining) demonstrates the attention paid to detail.
A watch with character that divides
While the Lebond Souto Moura seduces with its comfort and build quality, some design elements can be controversial:
– The date window, placed far inside the dial, can seem to unbalance the whole. – The significant difference in length between the hour hand and the minute hand is striking.
These aesthetic choices, desired by the architect, contribute to the originality of the watch but may not please everyone.
A niche watch at an exclusive price
With a price of 2,700 euros excluding taxes, the Lebond Souto Moura is clearly positioned as a luxury watch for enlightened enthusiasts. It is aimed at lovers of architecture and minimalist design, ready to invest in a unique piece.
The quality of the materials, the impeccable finish and the attention to the smallest details partly justify this positioning. Even the packaging testifies to the care given to every aspect of the watch.
The Lebond Souto Moura is not intended to please the masses, and that is precisely what makes it so charming. It perfectly embodies the vision of Lebond Watches: to create exceptional watches born from the encounter between architecture and watchmaking.
For design and watch lovers looking for a unique piece, the Lebond Souto Moura represents a fascinating proposition. It proves that innovation in watch design can come from unexpected collaborations, opening the way to new perspectives in this traditional field.
Whether you are seduced by its minimalist aesthetic or intrigued by its original concept, the Lebond Souto Moura will not leave you indifferent. It embodies a bold vision of watchmaking, where the art of architecture meets Swiss precision to create a truly one-of-a-kind watch.
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