Dezeen Magazine

"I wanted to capture the beauty of 1950s engineering" – Michael Young

Hong Kong-based designer Michael Young talks about his MY03 Hacker watch, designed for watch brand ODM and available from Dezeen Watch Store, in this movie filmed by Dezeen.

Michael Young on the MY03 Hacker

MY03 Hacker was inspired by "old parts for aircraft in the 1950s," explains Young in the movie. "Rather than be retrospective with this watch I wanted to capture the beauty of that era of engineering but bring it forward," he says.

Michael Young on the MY03 Hacker

The small circle on the face hides the watch's Japanese movement and is also raised a couple of millimetres above the glass to prevent scratching. "It's very much a workwear watch," he adds.

Michael Young on the MY03 Hacker

"In Asia, particularly, leather watch straps are very difficult to wear because of the humidity," says Young, explaining that the watch's polyurethane strap gives the product a more global appeal.

Michael Young on the MY03 Hacker

The MY03 Hacker is available now from Dezeen Watch Store in various colours, including the gold version worn by Young in the movie.

MY03 Hacker

Also available from Dezeen Watch Store is Young's second watch for ODM, the solar-powered MY04 Sunstich.

MY03 Hacker

Yesterday we published another movie about watches, featuring Benjamin Hubert explaining why he placed a double-length second hand over the pleated face of Plicate, his first watch for Italian accessories brand NAVA.

MY03 Hacker

Other designs by Michael Young we've featured on Dezeen include an update on the iconic Moke beach buggy and a pair of earphones made from cornstarch – or see all our stories about Michael Young.