Introducing: SevenFriday Free-D
SevenFriday’s 10th Anniversary surprise
SevenFriday is a relatively new player in the world of horology. After first making its presence felt in 2012, the Zurich-based brand is releasing a delectable surprise called the Free-D in celebration of this 10-year milestone.
Horology enthusiasts all know what SevenFriday is about: futuristic watches that don’t put one’s future savings at risk. With this piece, head of design Arnaud Duval has taken the company’s ethos and a personal love of sci-fi straight into an outer-worldly dimension. The Free-D boasts a level of artistry and innovative complexity usually associated with companies specialising in avant-garde, luxury watches that cost an arm and a leg (maybe a kidney even), and not a bank-balance friendly, accessible brand like SevenFriday.
Duval really went to town with this one. On first impression, the Free-D resembles a spacecraft docked at a space station or a robotic face, depending on which angle you view it from. Upon closer examination, however, it is immediately apparent that the watch, while made almost entirely from a high-tech material, harbours watchmaking traditions at its very heart.
The case itself consists of two domed crystals. Sandwiched between are three titanium rings holding three concentric domed discs for the hour, minutes, and seconds respectively. It is all held together by a grey dial made of a 100 per cent sustainable, synthetic compound called PA11 Nylon, which is very durable and extremely light.
The entire unit is then bolted onto a skeletal-like bracket with two clamps resembling a pair of robotic eyes. Flipping the watch over reveals a skeleton constructed from strips of PA11 that acts as a superbly secure brace. There is a caveat. The Free-D will develop its personality over time as the colour of the PA11 Nylon may change in response to its immediate environment.
The design and material are not the only things that make the Free-D unique. Its PA11 Nylon components are entirely 3D printed with a device by tech company HP. This method can be used to create almost any shape or size in one continuous piece with ease, which would have been impossible with conventional materials like steel.
SevenFriday’s visionary approach carries over to the Free-D’s state-of-the-art presentation box. It is also 3D printed from PA11 Nylon, except for the walnut cushion that holds it securely in place. The irregular, web-like design is simply astounding. There isn’t a box more deserving of this highly collectible piece that will be released in limited quantities worldwide.
End of content
No more pages to load
