Dezeen Magazine

"The second hand is a real piece of sculpture moving around the watch" – Benjamin Hubert

In this movie filmed by Dezeen, British designer Benjamin Hubert explains why he placed a double-length second hand over the pleated face of Plicate, his first watch for Italian accessories brand NAVA.

Plicate by Benjamin Hubert for NAVA

Plicate was designed with a "distinctive language" of faceted textures, Hubert explains in the movie. The watch has a series of pleats on its face, with each of the folds representing one second.

Plicate by Benjamin Hubert for NAVA

The second hand stretches across the diameter of the watch face in a contrasting colour. "Our idea was to make it double-length so you have a real piece of sculpture moving around the watch," he says.

Plicate by Benjamin Hubert for NAVA

"If you have a second hand on a watch it's really a decorative feature, particularly on an analogue watch," he adds. "So why not make that more extreme, make that more decorative?"

Plicate by Benjamin Hubert for NAVA

The time-adjustment dial and back of the watch strap echo the faceted texture of the face, while the asymmetric clasp is inspired by festival wristbands.

See all our stories about Benjamin Hubert, including a recently launched trestle table held together by sheets of bowed steel.