Welcome to UnconstrainedTime.
We create extraordinary aesthetics-focused watches:
The world’s first 3D fractal watch (above) . . . launching soon!
Our limited-edition watches (above) are visually exceptional, conceptually fascinating, and have an abundance of personality. It will be obvious to anyone who sees you wearing one, that an UnconstrainedTime watch is not mass-produced.
See more details of our unusually unique watch designs here.
The Origins of UnconstrainedTime
During a recent discussion on a business forum I was asked why I chose to start a watch microbrand. I replied . . . that was not my aim . . .
In 2013, while travelling, I had a dream which showed me a radically minimal time-display using a ring of simple elements, and how its simplicity and unobtrusive nature facilitated a wide variety of creative aesthetic possibilities. Exploring the fascinating implications for myself, I understood how this minimal time-display liberated the most of the space of the time-piece for the free creative expression and personal aesthetic-based exploration that I already loved. As I explain on our home-page, there’s a word for that . . . it’s called “art” (according to specific agreed definitions I outline there).
Drawing on my background in fine art and cutting-edge contemporary music composition, I began my exploration of the aesthetic possibilities, as a continuation of my creative obsessions which include fractals, abstraction, and organic forms and textures.
The stated goals of most relatively unusual watch microbrands follow a clear pattern: as they explain, they are highly trained watchmakers aiming to push the boundaries of the watchmaking tradition and expand from the conventions of contemporary horology. While there’s nothing wrong with doing that, it’s entirely different from what we’re doing, which is a new starting-point originating in free creativity and personal exploration, unrelated to the obvious watchmaking roots of engineering and fine jewellery.
It was only after I’d created some ideas, had them rendered in 3D, then returned to the project some time later, that I then began to explore how my creations might relate to concepts that already existed in today’s world. When I started doing that I had no knowledge of the field of watchmaking and had never heard the term “microbrand.” As I began to learn about these areas I was fascinated to discover how my creations fit so well with some watch enthusiast’s insatiable hunger for something truly unique, a microbrand’s freedom to genuinely innovate as well as getting significant influences from their fans, and art jewellery’s use of complex, organic, fractal forms and surfaces.
It’s hugely encouraging to me, as I continue to develop this brand, how excited people are to see something genuinely unique, creative and individual.
Our Focus
We are for the few who choose to celebrate their uniqueness. We give our customers the experience of something truly different, which definitely won’t look like every other watch on the market.
Our brand tends to evoke strong reactions, either an intense fascination or zero interest . . . like abstract paintings, some people are passionate about what we’re doing, but we’re definitely not for everyone. What we are doing is too far from accepted conventions for most people, and like anything new, will inevitably be somewhat controversial.
“I was really impressed by the concept of your extraordinary creative timepieces“
(Natalie)
Our creations can be seen as small-scale sculptures which also tell the time. The point that the main difference between sculpture, long accepted as fine art, and art jewellery is mainly the scale, is made in this fascinating article on Jewellery as Art.
Our focus is facilitating ongoing evolution of deeply personal exploration of creativity and aesthetic possibilities.
We’re not a one-man brand. While the initial watch creations are by our founder, we welcome creations by others (if they are good fit), and, as a microbrand, can genuinely listen to our audience. We are excited to discover where this might lead and how the feedback from our fans, as well as input from other creators, will help direct this exciting adventure into the unknown.
Our radically minimal time-display relates to the most ancient origins of horology, when a day was first divided into 12 periods. While we are specifically creating watches, rather than bracelets, linking us to the profound and ongoing significance of time-telling in societies through the ages, we are, arguably, the world’s first watch brand to be based on what can be seen as conceptual art jewellery, breaking free from the engineering and fine jewellery influences of conventional watchmaking.
We are part of the fascinating evolution of the arts in general, relating to the development from fine jewellery (with its simple forms and highly polished surfaces) to art jewellery (which uses much more complex forms and textures), which itself is part of the fascinating (although little known) revolution in the arts which resulted in abstract art and ambient music.
Who we are:
Chris Melchior, founder of UnconstrainedTime. Chris was involved in the arts from an early age, picking up and attempting to play a violin before the age of 1, later being awarded a county scholarship to the Royal College of Music (junior department) and by the age of 18 was co-leader (principle) of the foremost youth orchestra in the UK.
Chris was awarded a First Class Honours Degree in Music with Visual Arts from a leading educational establishment in the UK, and is also a leading authority in advanced empirical spirituality.
He created music/soundFX for the computer game Carmageddon (“Game of the year” 1997), a best-selling range of watercolour greetings cards, and was co-founder (creating music and visuals) of a highly regarded production company “White Monkey Trip” specializing in contemporary dance performances at leading London venues. He was proud to have attained a life-long ambition being one of the only creators writing original dance music live on stage, with his project “Evolutions from the Void.”
Chris enjoys travel experiences, and science-fiction and fantasy novels and movies. He loves the act of creativity and has a deep fascination with the inspirations he gains from a wide variety of aesthetic experiences. More on Chris’s story here.
We are proud to have Evan Fry, an expert in watches and jewellery, as a valuable part of our team:
Evan Fry is a young and passionate watch and jewelry enthusiast who has spent the last handful of years falling in love with the art and science of watch and jewelry creation. He values their ability to channel such a unique form of self expression, while also celebrating the wearer’s life experiences and holding their memories in a physical form.
His love began in high school, around the age of 17, where he would watch interviews of popular musicians sharing their high-value collections, discussing the significance and exclusivity of each piece. Having lived in suburban America his whole life, he was fascinated with the concept that things like jewelry and watches could be so extravagant and luxurious. He quickly fell into a bottomless rabbit hole, where he taught himself everything he could about each industry, including the histories and current events, the creation of a watch or piece of jewelry, their differing purposes, and anything else he could get his hands on. Evan’s love of watches and jewelry has quickly led to him being considered a local expert, with many people coming to him with questions and for advice.
As his tastes developed, he became entranced with the artistic aspects of watches and jewelry as they both have unlimited possibilities of style, execution, and most importantly: expression and the celebration of oneself.
Evan is himself an aspiring artist and is currently pursuing an art degree which he hopes to use to create wearable art in many different forms. His goal is to create pieces that others can use to express who they are and their own unique style and personality. He believes that everyone deserves to be able to love themselves and display that love in a way that is observable to the world. He currently contributes to that dream by working at a jewelry and watch shop, helping his community find pieces that are significant to each individual, as well as contributing his expertise to UnconstrainedTime.
While the initial watches of our brand were by Chris, our founder, we also welcome other creators, with our collaborations and open design competition.
You are part of the adventure which is the UnconstrainedTime project . . .
We eagerly await the fascinating interplay between the personal creativity of our watch creators, and the vital feedback and involvement of our fans, who, together, will inspire and direct the adventure of our ongoing evolution into the unknown.
Get involved . . . we’d love to hear what you think . . . reply to our blog posts, and participate in our social media (links below).
Make sure you subscribe to our priority list so you stay up to date with our news, and launch schedule etc, as things develop.
Company details: UnconstrainedTime ltd. Co No. 15293105. Company Registered address (no personal callers) 175 Great Tattenhams, Epsom, Surrey. KT18 5RA. England.