Iron Jewelry Design · 2021
Pride Watch
by Alex Donahue
- A' Design Award 2021 Iron Winner in Jewelry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Alex Donahue
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 14,727
- Verification code 5D57A693F9 · Verify this award
About Pride Watch
Pride is a unisex wristwatch inspired by the annual pride parades held around the world. The hour, minute and second hands carry the six colors of the rainbow and move continually across the face, forming changing compositions through the day. At noon and at midnight the hands align to form a full rainbow, a symbol of unity. The case is made of black IP stainless steel with hidden lugs that join the black leather band seamlessly. A Japanese quartz movement is housed inside the 40 mm case.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The watch features six colors that continually move about the face. Twice a day, at both noon and midnight, the colors come together to create the shape of a rainbow. Beauty comes in all colors and is heightened by those colors' alignment. Show your pride with this meaningful timepiece.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The watch weighs .5 lbs, the case's diameter is 40mm and made from Black IP Stainless Steel. The case height is 8.85mm (0.35"). Inside the case, the watch contains a Japanese quartz movement. The watch is water-resistant up to 3 ATM. The band size is 20mm. The band is black and made from leather.
- Tags
- Pride, LGBTQ+, Rainbow, Unity, Kinetic
- Production Technology
- The pride watch is unisex. It is made of black stainless steel with hidden lugs that connect the band seamlessly. The watch was developed from a combination of watercolor painting, drawing, technical drawings, and models were made using digital design software.
- Design Challenge
- The design challenge was to create a watch where the primary imagery was part of the watch's function rather than an applied graphic. The hour, minute, and second hands move about the watch, creating varied compositions throughout the day. The watch hands are colorful, but the case and band provide a monochrome, elegant backdrop.
- Project Duration
- Alex Donahue created the conceptual and technical drawings in Fall 2019. The watch began production in Spring 2020 and was released in Summer 2020. It has been bought by design stores and individuals throughout the world.
- Operation Flow
- The watch continually transforms as the rainbow bands move about the case to indicate the hour, minute, and second. They align at midnight and noon to form a full rainbow, a symbol of unity.
- Research
- After extensive research on the symbolism of the LGBTQ rights global movement, it was found that the rainbow is the most prevalent symbol. Several design concepts were then created using the rainbow, with the selected option as one in which the hour, minute, and second hands are the rainbow and move about the watch. This was preferred over a graphic application of the rainbow for two reasons: 1. The rainbow would become intrinsic to the function of the watch, 2. The hands come together and form the rainbow, which is a metaphor for unity.
- Inspiration
- The pride watch is a timepiece dedicated to those individuals who have bravely stood with pride for the rights of all people. The design is inspired by pride parades that occur annually worldwide, which focus on the global civil rights movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and queer social acceptance.
- Image Credits
- All photos copyright: Project Watches