Coming soon: Lotus watch
Lotus Design (yeah, I didn’t know there was a division of the company called that either) has designed their first watch, and plan on releasing it for sale on February 10th. Its design resembles various car parts, such as a brake rotor and caliper. It includes a calendar mechanism, and 1/10th of a second stopwatch for timing your buddies at the next Lotus track day. Later this month you’ll be able to buy it online at Lotus’ online store; there’s no word yet whether this is more accurate than the Elise’s speedometer 
. Read the rest of this post for more pictures and the full press release (via EliseTalk).
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Lotus introduces the Lotus Watch:
The Type 1 Lotus Watch
Lotus engineers a timekeeping solution by designing first Lotus
watch
The Type 1 Lotus Watch is the first wrist watch to be created by
Lotus Design, the famous design studio responsible for all Lotus current and
future products, as well as numerous client programmes.
The quartz analogue chronograph watch is a bespoke timepiece which
is infused with Lotus core values through its appearance which is highly
technical, yet clean, stylish and elegant. However, the Type 1 Lotus watch
is not a mere branding exercise; it was designed by Lotus Design, and boasts
beautifully crafted components. These include an orange anodised aluminium
crown guard mounted on a high power black dial with the Lotus roundel,
taking inspiration from precision automotive and race parts used in the
modern day Lotus sports car.
Reflecting on the design, Barney Hatt, Principal Designer of Lotus
Design, and originator of the Type 1 Lotus Watch, explains: “Lotus has
always been about innovative engineering solutions presented in the most
elegant form whilst avoiding superfluous detail. Highly machined aesthetic
forms underline the precise nature of the watch which are balanced by the
use of tactile materials.”
A high precision quartz movement, a three-dial 1/10th of a second
stopwatch timing system (up to one hour), and a calendar mechanism promote
sophistication. The stainless steel casing completes the technical flowing
profile of the watch, and is finished with an etched logo of Lotus Design on
the rear of the case. This is equally complemented by a comfortable and
durable high-density resin adjustable strap with a stainless steel buckle.
Commenting on the introduction of the first “in house” designed
Lotus watch, Russell Carr, Chief Designer of Lotus Design explains: “This is
the first time Lotus Design has had the opportunity to play such a
significant role in the development of a non-automotive product. Whilst
there are factors specific to watchmaking which we have had to learn, we
wanted the Type 1 Lotus Watch to be essentially like our cars: to create
desire through emotional and unique forms that remain honest to the
functionality of the product.”
The Type 1 Lotus Watch, manufactured by Time Products (UK) Ltd, will
be available from 10 February, 2005 at a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of
GBP 175 incl. VAT. Full specification and purchase details can be found at
the online Lotus webstore (www.lotuscarswebstore.co.uk) or from the UK
dealer network. The new timepiece will make its official public debut on the
Lotus stand (stand 1255) at the 76th International Motor Show in Geneva
between 28 February - 12 March, 2006.
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