Named after the postmodernist architecture movement Deconstructivism. The act of deconstructing is to dissect and analyze all different components of a structure, to challenge concepts and assumptions and finally recompose all separate segments into a new configuration.
- Michiel Holthinrichs, founder of Holthinrichs Watches
The case of the DECON is made out of 3D printed Titanium grade 5. Expressive and sharp openworked lugs crawl out of the skeletonized caseband as separated entities suspended between the caseback and bezel. Contrasting brushed and raw 3D printed textures are used as aesthetical elements to emphasise the dynamic sculptural shapes. The ultra-light monocoque case with deconstructed lugs that have the minimal thickness structurally possible, resulting in a striking light and comfortable to wear timepiece..
The laser-cut and openworked stainless steel hands have a brushed top surface, with large hand-polished bevels.
The concentrically openworked dial baseplate is fitted with twelve sharp and strongly pronounced hand-finished stainless steel hour markers. Between the markers we find an intermediate level of twelve optically floating sectors finished with frosting and extensive manually applied anglage. Each sector embraces brushed minute markers that rise from the frosted surface of the 0.3mm baseplate. A repetitive play of contrasting finishing of frosting and extensive anglage and polishing strongly contributes to the layered design of the watch.
To complement the lightness and technical appearance of the case, dial and movement, we have designed and developed an integrated and openworked rubber strap. Thanks to the lightness and pre-curved shape, it ensures extreme comfort.
With DECONSTRUCTED, we present a completely in-house developed radical timepiece 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 deconstructed 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.
DECONSTRUCTED is a semi-skeleton timepiece, each component is reduced to its constructive minimum utilizing innovative 3D printing technology, precision machining and craftsmanship. DECONSTRUCTED stands out with its sculptural design, unconventional architectural forms, extensive manual finishing, contrasting textures, unprecedented openwork constructions, and ultra-lightweight. For the first time in the brand’s history, we apply 3D-printed Grade 5 Titanium in one of our models and introduce our first manufactured movement caliber, the HW-M01.
The HW-M01 features an improved escapement with free-sprung balance wheel with 4 white gold inertia weigths in order to allow for precision regulation.
With the HW-M01 we introduce our in-house movement, which is an integral part of the overall design language of the watch and is developed to enable for far more excessive manual finishing. The laser-etched recesses have a frosted finish, while the embossed edges are brushed. Sharp, handmade anglage embellish the overall appeal and depth of the design.
The case of the DECON pushes the limits of the 3D printing process. It is characterized by its sculptural shapes that simply wouldn’t be possible without this technology. The lugs are optically detached and some details are only few tenths of a millimeter thick. Some surfaces showcase the raw 3D printed techures for their intrinsic aesthetic, while selective surfaces are contrastingly finished by hand to elaborate the light and radical yet elegant design.
The 3D-printed titanium bracelet is a true design masterpiece that features technical innovations not yet seen in the industry. 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.
If the overall construction of the bracelet is not enough, real innovation is found in the design of the endlink. It features two rubber rings that act as shock absorbers. Additionally, it ingeniously incorporates two integrated pushers, allowing the user to quickly release the bracelet from the watch.
The case of the DECONSTRUCTED has a striking monocoque construction with an unprecedented slenderness. By pushing state-of-the-art 3D metal binder jetting technology to its limits, specific structural elements could be reduced to just a few tens of millimeters thick.
The main body of the case consists of two near-perfect circles that define the front and back of the watch. Though seemingly disconnected, a physical connection at the crown binds both rings together while simultaneously creating a firm protective seat for the semi-recessed crown. In between both rings are four expressive and sharp openworked lugs suspended in a way that reminds us of the anatomy of the human hip joint. Each lug is composed of several interconnected ultra thin ribbons, only connected to the case by four small, hidden joints.
The case is finished in a style that is typical of our work: intended to emphasize their modern designs, high-tech manufacturing process and love for manual finishing. In specific places, coarse surfaces directly derived from the 3D metal printer are accepted for their intrinsic brutalist aesthetic, but they are always contrasted against hand-finished details that emphasize the clean lines of the overall design.
Where the case’s design concept is derived from anatomy, the dial of 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 baseplate. 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.
We meticulously constructed the dial to enhance the emphasis on the radial effect of the design of the dial, visually guiding attention towards the deeper core of the watch. Despite its relatively flat profile, a profound sense of depth and layering is achieved through the undercutting of each individual sector. This construction creates subtle shadow lines, giving the impression that the sectors are floating above the baseplate. To amplify the design, all components undergo extensive hand-finishing in the Holthinrichs atelier, resulting in a captivating interplay of textures. Frosted surfaces contrast with manually polished bevels that converge towards the center of the dial, adding a touch of drama to the overall aesthetic.
In order to create a visually captivating and top-notch dial, it is essential to achieve precise alignment among all its components. To accomplish this, each part is manufactured with exceptional precision, ensuring tolerances within five-thousandths of a millimeter. This level of accuracy is critical because even a minute imbalance of 1/100th of a millimeter can be detected by the human eye.
When diving into the radial layers of the dial of the DECONSTRUCTED towards the center of the timepiece, one finds that the structure of the design becomes more spatial and the size and scale of the components becomes smaller and more delicate. In fact, one arrives in the proudly exposed core of our first manufacture movement, the caliber 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.
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 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 endlink. 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 endlink 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.
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 hand-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: integrated 3D printed titanium, with contrasting raw and brushed finishes and innovative wishbone quick release mechanism.
Strap: Integrated rubber DECON design with 3D printed Holthinrichs buckle, and curved alligator patina strap. Size 20/16mm.
20 numbered pieces available for reservation for €35.000 ex. VAT.
Case: 3D printed grade 5 titanium with satin brushed finish. Raw textured semi-integrated DECON crown with brushed ring and 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 curved high-gloss hand-polished baton shape hour markers, semi-detached openworked 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 developed and 50% Dutch made DECON manual movement, open-worked and hand-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: Integrated 3D printed titanium DECON design including 3D printed quick release wishbone mechanism, raw and satin brushed finished
Strap: Integrated rubber DECON design with 3D printed Holthinrichs buckle. Lug width 20 mm tapered to 16 mm.
Available upon request starting at €29.500 ex. VAT
