While most of the attention over the years has been on Mrs Jones, with many soul singers performing this classic track, Mr Jones has been tinkering in his shed. The results has been some unique design focused watches that anyone would be proud to wear as an accessory.
My favorite design is The Last Laugh collection, inspired by Memento Mori traditions. The time on the watch is displayed on the skull’s teeth with the two front teeth show the hours while the lower jaw shows the minutes.
The video below features one of the new designs with specially commissioned artwork by British Tattoo Artist Adrian Willard.
The Last Laugh Tattoo edition (mechanical) from Mr Jones on Vimeo.
In a step change direction, The Hour watch has a reflective design with each hour marked with a different word that holds a special meaning in relation to the passing time. Inspired by cyclist Graeme Obree the watch makes discrete visual reference to a bicycle – the aperture through which the words are read is based on the drivetrain of a fixed wheel track bicycle.
“I wanted to use words that would instill a sense of value that an hour is a unit of time to be or do or think or act in some way that makes us realise its passing. In a subtle way to instill a sense of mortality that is tempered by an idea of how to occupy this hour that will pass but once.” Graeme Obree 2010
Finally the Sun and Moon watch shows the time based on the position of the Sun or Moon in the sky on the watch face. At 6am the sun ‘rises’ on the left of the dial. After 6pm the Sun ‘sets’ and disappears from view, meanwhile the Moon ‘rises’ on the left.
