Watches and cars have always been a natural pairing, and the brain behind ATOWAK watches sits at the center of the Venn diagram uniting watch and car enthusiasts. With the release of the ATOWAK ETTORE Drift and ETTORE Lite models, the brand has drawn inspiration from supercar design. And why not? If you're looking for avant-garde design, top-notch materials, and captivating aesthetics, supercars have these in abundance. However, in creating its first model, ATOWAK went far beyond aesthetics: a look under the hood reveals extensive modifications to the mechanism, allowing the ETTORE Drift to feature a wandering hours complication. Although this complication is typically found only in elite luxury watches, ATOWAK offers it to the masses. The ETTORE Drift is priced on Kickstarter starting at $549. If you like the ETTORE design but can do without the wandering hours complication, the ETTORE Lite model uses a retrograde time display priced at just $299.
Discussing the inspiration behind the ETTORE line, ATOWAK CEO Johnny Deng explains: "At ATOWAK, we strive to always push the boundaries of style and provide our community with unique watches. We found our inspiration for creating ETTORE in the world of supercars and racing. The bold lines and sense of speed inherent in the fastest cars form the basis of the subtle curves of our watches, and the intriguing way of indicating time challenges the notion of traditional mechanical watches."
Both the ETTORE Drift and Lite models share the same shape case made of 316-L stainless steel, with a width of 46.5 mm. However, given the shape, traditional sizes can be misleading – from the 12 o'clock to the 6 o'clock edge of the case, the watch measures only 40.8 mm, meaning you get a comfortable fit on the wrist. The unique asymmetrical case shape is a classic example of form following function for both the ETTORE Drift and Lite.
In the flagship ETTORE Drift model, beneath the sapphire crystal is only the right side of the dial, which focuses the gaze directly on the wandering hours and retrograde minutes. The "wandering hours" complication is very interesting. First introduced by the Campani brothers in the 1600s, this complication operates by using three or four hands emerging from the center of the dial, each equipped with a disc or spokes displaying the hour. As the central levers rotate around the dial, the hour aligns with the retrograde minute track, allowing quick and easy time reading. When transitioning to the next hour, the smaller spokes rotate into position, showing the correct hour on the retrograde minute track – a complex to manufacture but surprisingly effective complication for timekeeping, especially at such a price. Wandering hours are usually the prerogative of brands like Audemars Piguet and Urwerk, with prices far higher than the ATOWAK ETTORE Drift.
To create the "wandering hours" complication, ATOWAK started with the tried and reliable Miyota 9015 automatic movement. After three years of research and development, ATOWAK completely redesigned and modified the movement to accommodate the wandering hours complication. The result is mesmerizing and certainly a conversation starter. The numbers, hands, and profile curves on both watches are illuminated using Super-LumiNova technology, ensuring the display remains attractive even in the dark.
The ATOWAK ETTORE Lite model reflects the essence of Drift in a simpler and more budget-friendly form. Unlike the wandering hour complication, the retrograde display in the Lite model required relatively minor changes to the Miyota 8215 movement powering the watch. Again, you get a 3D dial made of copper and aviation-grade aluminum with luminescent indices, covered by sapphire glass. However, in the ETTORE Lite model, the time display scheme is altered: hours are indicated on the outer track, and minutes on the inner track. Regardless of which watch suits your sense of style (or wallet) better, they unmistakably evoke automotive aesthetics – from the sculptural case design to the retrograde tracks.
Completing the package, both ETTORE Drift and Lite are mounted on tapering 24-millimeter Italian leather straps. The supple leather straps feel at home in the luxurious interiors of supercars. ATOWAK ETTORE Drift and Lite are available on Kickstarter, with launch day prices starting from $549 USD (MSRP $1,199) for the ETTORE Drift and $299 USD (MSRP $649) for the ETTORE Lite. Each model is limited to 500 pieces, with each watch individually numbered. All models come with a two-year international warranty. To learn more about ATOWAK ETTORE, be sure to visit the campaign on Kickstarter.