Dezeen Magazine

Mini Giant by Mondaine

Mondaine adapts iconic Swiss Railways design to create contemporary timepiece

The latest version of Mondaine's iconic Official Swiss Railways watch – one of the most recognisable watch designs of the 20th century – is now available to purchase from Dezeen Watch Store.

Continuing its range based on the iconic clock created by Hans Hilfiker for the Federal Swiss Railways in 1944, Mondaine has revealed its latest timepiece.

The Zurich-based watch company has applied the trademark design to a lightweight wristwatch with a 35-millimetre lug-less case and Milanese mesh strap.

Mini Giant by Mondaine
Mondaine's Mini Giant is a contemporary take on the iconic Swiss Railways Clock

The Mini Giant takes its distinctive face straight from Hilfiker's design, including a famous red seconds ticker that briefly stalls at 12 o'clock, which ensured the trains left on time.

The hour and minute marks are denoted by black lines on the white face, and paired with black hour and minute hands.

Mini Giant by Mondaine
The new watch comes in three finishes: silver, gold or rose-gold

The watch comes in three contemporary finishes – brushed silver and gold-plated or rose-gold-plated stainless steel.

Made in Switzerland, the timepiece holds a Ronda quartz movement and has a curved lens made from hardened mineral.

Mini Giant by Mondaine
The new timepiece comes with a Milanese mesh strap

Mondaine bought the official licence to Hilfiker's design in 1986 and continues to adapt it, often enlisting the help of young industrial designers.

In 2014, the brand took on another Swiss design classic – a sans serif typeface by typographer Max Miedinger first released in 1957. Created by industrial designer Martin Drechsel, the Helvetica No.1 watch is also celebrates Swiss design.

The Official Swiss Railways SBB Watch has been selected by the London Design Museum and MoMA as one of the most iconic examples of 20th-century design. It has also featured in Phaidon's definitive encyclopaedia of 999 Design Classics.