Industrial, Futuristic and Original
RSW – Rama Swiss Watch – is an intrepid watch company that openly explores new concepts and shapes to create original-looking wristwatches. This approach is true even of the company’s dressier offerings, but especially evident of the watches in its Modern Contemporary collection including the popular Outland.
One need only look as far as the RSW crank-crown winding system for a taste of the brand’s design aesthetic: the patented system is original and unusual. To operate the crank-crown on the Outland, the user pulls out the entire adjunct as if pulling out a standard crown. The lower portion then folds up so that the mechanism appears and functions as a handle, or crank, by which to wind the watch and adjust the time.
This version of the Outland uses the theme of a compass display to indicate time. RSW’s website also describes the Outland as a watch that “pays homage to futurism, oblique architecture, the super computers and the first electronic musical instruments.” While this description is somewhat abstruse, it does reveal the general sense of industrial futurism that the Outland encompasses.
| RSW Mens 7120.MS.R1.5.00 Outland |
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| Click to Enlarge Image |
The substantial Outland case is made of 316L stainless steel and measures 52 mm high, by 44 mm wide and 12 mm thick. It has the appearance of an engine block with three cylinders at the top and bottom, each housing an octagonal rivet. A dial cover over the lower half of the dial further emphasizes these industrial principles. Its design is symmetrical, balanced and resembles a portion of a keyboard, perhaps referring to the aforementioned “first electronic musical instruments,” many of which were keyboard-based.
Regardless of these visual and thematic aspects, the dial cover plays an important role in the watch’s functionality. First, it covers the lower half of the hour and minute wheels to ease the clarity of the readout; second, it provides the stationary “hand” used to read the time. The hand, in this case, refers to the white stripe in the middle of the vertical bar at the center of the dial, which is the intersect point of the turning wheels and where to look to read the time.
For example, when the 10 on the outer topmost wheel (the hour) and the 10 on the middle wheel (the minute) are both directly above the white hand, the time is 10:10. The small inner wheel without numerals displays the seconds. All three wheels turn clockwise. This method of telling time – with wheels circling a stationary hand – is analogue as opposed to digital, even though the display is somewhat abstract and the numerals are displayed using a “digital” font.
The caseback upholds the industrial and futuristic theme of the watch with its slim, enigmatic rectangular window… peer in for a glimpse of the Outland’s Swiss made automatic movement. Eight flathead screws secure the caseback to the case, which is water resistant to a maximum of 330 feet. The Outland is mounted on a black rubber strap.
RSW Mens 7120.MS.R1.5.00 Outland Grey IP Stainless Steel Automatic Watch
List Price: $4,900
Key features:
- Swiss made automatic movement
- Grey IP stainless steel square case, diameter 44 mm, thickness 12 mm
- Grey dial, unique “compass” time display with rotating discs
- Exhibition caseback reveals the watch movement
- Anti-reflective scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Stationary stainless steel bezel
- Black rubber strap, width 33 mm, deployment push button clasp
- Water resistant to 330 feet
- 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
Futuristic design, nods to earlier invention and an uncommon time display – the Outland is an original watch to own, wear and talk about.
About Gevril Group
Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for 30+ select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sporty timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Group Gevril operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.
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