Cross #1 watch

Limited-edition. By Chris Melchior with UnconstrainedTime

Artist’s notes: “I was inspired by a gold medieval cross with slightly rough texture and rounded corners, the simple, unquestioningly immersive experience of ancient worship, and the elementary beauty created by traditional artisans. I love the contrasts between the materials, the subtle details of the grain of the oil-finished wood and the slight texture of the metal.

For me, this evokes the timeless serenity of a small Saxon church as it existed in a time of quiet rural life, long before watches existed, far from any thoughts of ambition or glory, so eloquently expressed in the poem ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’, by Thomas Gray”

Limited edition (see below)

Prices are expected to start around $2,200

Free international shipping.

Sizes (to be announced. It is likely to be available in 40mm and 30mm)

Each watch is a bespoke order, available in these (mostly) recycled metals:

• white gold
• rose gold
• 18k gold
• blackened silver
• silver
• bronze (yellow)
• bronze (red)

With the hardwood of your choice (depending on availability). The hardwoods shown in the illustrations above are yew (typically a rich reddish-brown), ebony (black or dark brown) and aspen (cream colour).

Available with or without clear coat to decrease the metal’s reaction with the atmosphere (see below).

Diamond/Zircon: This watch is available with a diamond or a zircon for each of the twelve time-display elements on the top of the watch.

Strap/band (leather) available in:

• white gold colour
• rose gold colour
• gold colour
• silver colour
• bronze (yellow) colour
• bronze (red) colour
• matt black
• navy blue
• brown
• other (please contact us)

This watch will be released in a small limited edition, and is expected to sell out rapidly, so:

Don’t miss the launch:

Images: The watch will be slightly different from the initial virtual renders shown above which are designed to give an approximate idea of the general visual concept of the watch. Any metal parts that protrude will be lightly polished, as shown above, while the inner areas will have a grainy texture (not illustrated), showing its authentic nature as a 3D printed form. Real photos coming soon.

Limited edition: This watch is expected to sell out rapidly. So make sure you don’t miss the launch . . . subscribe here for launch notification. The size of the limited edition will be announced at least 14 days before the launch of this watch, depending on estimated availability.

Details on the back-plate: the company (UnconstrainedTime) and logo, the name of this watch (Fractal Emergence 40mm), the name of the artist who created this watch (Chris Melchior), serial number and limited edition number. The engraving on the back-plate (which is made of 316L stainless steel, as used in many well-regarded watches) is high-quality but with a deliberately plain aesthetic, so that most of the focus is on the fractal. We include the artist’s name on the back-plate because it matters who made a piece of art, unlike design.

Time Display: All UnconstrainedTime watches are touch watches, which means that they display the time when the button is pressed.

Ownership Security: Each Cross #1 limited edition watch is permanently protected by unique blockchain product authentication, with a secure certificate of ownership, facilitating easy verification of authenticity, provenance, and ownership history, as used for watches like the “Genesis” by H. Moser and Cie, and the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra, as well as by brands such as Louis Vuitton who in collaboration with Prada Group and Cartier, launched a blockchain ownership certificate system: (Aura Blockchain Consortium).

Strap/band: The strap/band is made of high quality leather. The strap is high-quality but with a deliberately plain aesthetic, so that most of the focus is on the fractal.

Metals: The case/body of this watch is solid metal, 3D printed and cast, usually in recycled metals, by an artisan casting foundry using the lost-wax process, then hand finished with the protruding parts polished, leaving the non-protruding surfaces proudly showing their 3D printed origins, which makes it clear that the watch is part of the art jewellery space (which is defined as art) rather than the fine jewellery space (which is design). If the metal is silver, or gold, the case/body will be hallmarked. Note that 3D printing has less environmental impact than most methods of making watches.

Metals, patinas and clear coat: Some metals, such as bronze or silver, react with the atmosphere which changes their colour and texture. Some people like the patina formed by this reaction, especially with bronze watches. Others might prefer the metal to retain its original colour and surface texture, so we provide the option of adding a clear coat, which acts to give metals some degree of protection from patina, tarnish, oxidation, fading etc.

Woods: Note that woods will change colour over time, with most hardwoods typically darkening with age.

Our wood is finished by an experienced artisan, working on the surface with fine custom-made scrapers as used by the great violin-makers (sanding would make the grain dull) and a linseed oil finish, (as used on the neck of a fine violin).

British made, hand finished: Each UnconstrainedTime watch is assembled by hand and polished by hand in Britain, after being 3D printed in the UK and hand cast by a small British artisan foundry. We will confirm the country of origin of the wood you request, before confirming your order.

In use: In terms of use, Cross #1 is closer to being a piece of jewellery than a typical watch, and is definitely not a sports watch. It is designed for careful gentle use, is not scratch or dent resistant. It is not defined as water resistant . . . there is an O-ring/gasket inside the back-plate, under each of the 12 time-display elements and under the button, with internal components having additional protection against moisture, so it will be OK in normal dry use, but our watches are not intended for use near water or any other liquids.

Shipping: Each Cross #1 watch is a bespoke order, which means we can’t start making it until you have made your personal choice of metal, gemstones and wood. While we will do everything we can to get your watch to you as rapidly as possible, it takes time to make and assemble a bespoke watch, test and polish it by hand, so it might take up to 90 days to ship your watch to you, after we’ve confirmed your choice of materials with you. We provide free international shipping using DHL.

Accuracy: UnconstrainedTime watches use quartz timing, with an accuracy of within 53.6 seconds per month.

Battery life: UnconstrainedTime watches use a unique minimal electronic touch time-display with 12 small LEDs to allow as much focus as possible on the unique creative aesthetics. A CR1216 battery will last for approximately one year if the time is displayed 5 times each day. You can get the battery in an UnconstrainedTime watch replaced by any reputable watch repair service or jewellers.

FAQ’s.

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