Introducing Holthinrichs Watches DECONSTRUCTED

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Holthinrichs Watches is proud to introduce the DECONSTRUCTED: a completely in-house developed radical model that reflects on the functional essence of a watch and its individual components, deliberately questioning their obviousness and structural integrity. Throughout an intensive and lengthy process of deconstruction and analysis, all layers of the classical watch, case, dial, movement, hands, and bracelet, are carefully dissected and recomposed to achieve a new and truly integral and radical design where the hierarchical relationships between the components are eliminated, their technical functioning is provocatively exposed, and all parts work together in a dynamic whole.

Design Concept

DECONSTRUCTED is named after the postmodernist architecture movement, Deconstructivism. The act of deconstructing involves dissecting and analyzing all the different components of a structure, challenging concepts and assumptions, and ultimately reassembling the separate segments into new configurations.

Case design

The case has a striking skeletonized monocoque construction with unprecedented slenderness. By pushing state-of-the-art 3D metal binder jetting technology to its limits, Holthinrichs Watches was able to reduce specific structural elements to just a few tenths of millimetres thick.

The lugs are spectacularly disconnected from the main body, emphasizing their structural importance while deliberately playing with the sense of logical engineering.

Dial design

Where the case’s design concept is derived from anatomy, the dial of Holthinrichs Watches DECONSTRUCTED takes inspiration from nature in the way a bone or a tree trunk is structured around a central core and the origins of its existence. The dial consists of 25 components in three sequential layers that are deliberately arranged to naturally guide the eye from the case to the core of the watch.

The first layer consists of a carefully open-worked ring forming both the structural part of the dial and a frame to exhibit the movement and some of its delicate parts. The second layer consists of twelve floating sectors that embrace 48-minute markers that protrude from the surface of the base plate. In between these sectors, the third layer is located, made out of 12 strongly pronounced and manually finished stainless steel baton shape markers to indicate the hours.

Calibre HM-M01

When diving into the radial layers of the dial of the Holthinrichs Watches DECONSTRUCTED towards the centre of the timepiece, one finds that the structure of the design becomes more spatial and the size and scale of the components become smaller and more delicate. In fact, one arrives in the proudly exposed core of our first manufacture movement, the calibre HW-M01. Being an independent watchmaker with a strong design identity, Michiel’s vision has always been to have an integral approach to watch design. Ever since the launch of the brand in 2016, it has been his desire to develop a movement in order to have full control over all the components that come together to make one timepiece.

For that reason, the first developments were already initiated in early 2017. Over the years, the company grew and gained knowledge and expertise in the field of watchmaking and established durable relationships with leading Dutch precision manufacturers. These efforts ultimately led us to what will become the HW-M01. Simple in its functioning, telling only the hours, minutes, and seconds, its slender design and versatility allow for smart designs while also providing a solid basis for future developments and serving as a canvas for our love for manual finishing.

Integrated titanium bracelet

The 3D-printed titanium bracelet is a true design masterpiece that features technical innovations not yet seen in the industry. It is an ultralight skeletonized structure formed by a series of uniquely designed links, crafted out of grade 5 titanium and made with the highest technology currently available. It extends the Holthinrichs Watches DECONSTRUCTED design language in both manufacturing and finishing, forming a continuous band around the wrist.

Each link is designed as two optically disconnected slabs, only held together by minimal supports that also serve as the hinges. Sturdy pins visibly connect each link to another through the openworked construction. These pins are screwed into position, allowing for easy adjustment to precisely match the hinges in length and diameter, ensuring comfortable and seamless operation.

If the overall construction of the bracelet is not enough, real innovation is found in the design of the end link. It features two rubber rings that act as shock absorbers, preventing unwanted sounds and providing a sturdy feel to ensure the highest level of comfort during wear. Holthinrichs’ expertise in 3D printing allowed for the end link to be designed as a single part that precisely fits the skeleton case of the DECONSTRUCTED. Additionally, it ingeniously incorporates two integrated pushers, allowing the user to quickly release the bracelet from the watch. This technological invention by Holthinrichs was created with ease of use in mind and to encourage the wearer to experiment with different strap combinations.

All parts of the bracelet of the DECONSTRUCTED are finished the same way as the case, with deliberately visible 3D printed textures and selectively hand finished parts that are brushed to emphasize the slenderness and elegance of the complete design.

Holthinrichs Watches DECONSTRUCTED Technical Specifications

Case

3D printed titanium grade 5 with brushed finish.
Semi-integrated DECON crown with embossed and brushed ‘H’.
AR-coated domed sapphire crystal in front and flat sapphire crystal in the case back.
Case diameter: 38.5mm.
Case thickness: 9.8mm including domed crystal.
Lug to lug: 47mm.

Dial

Skeletonised base plate with applied segments, frosted top surface finish and handmade high-gloss anglage in black rhodium, stainless steel sloped high-gloss hand-polished baton shape hour markers, semi-detached open-worked and brushed small seconds ring with high-gloss bevel.
In total the dial is composed of 25 separate parts.
Hands: Stainless steel laser-cut DECON shape brushed top surface and large handmade anglage.

Movement:

In-house HW-M01 and 50% Dutch made DECON manual movement,
open-worked and and-bevelled mainplate,
with our three-quarter bridge and balance bridge including lasered frosted recess and handmade anglage,
Holthinrichs balance wheel with variable inertia and piton fix,
handmade anglage and cerclage on the gears,
laser-engraving on the barrel,
black polished click-and-click spring, screw-heads and countersinks.

Bracelet