Our latest product review is this unusual watch by Hong Kong based brand Alchemist, kindly sent to us by the folks at Tribe At Work.
We came across these watches in Berlin this year, and were drawn to the brand because of their unusual designs and awesome story.
The brand was founded by a group of young designers whose aim was to use readily available materials and social resources in order to create interesting design items. They joined forces with Christian Family Service Centre, a local sheltered workshop, and have given a group of highly skilled but underprivileged people a job and the opportunity to gain new skills by crafting watches from recycled cans. They’ve created a safe and pleasant working environment and a level of passion not found in many production lines. On top of that, their Can Watches even won a coveted Red Dot Design Award back in 2013, and the judges loved the idea of turning the easily disposable soda can into a significant piece of design.
So, onto the watch itself – the one we’ve tried out is in Safari Green with a polished finish. Being aluminium, it’s super lightweight despite being pretty chunky in size. Obviously this is a statement piece, so we’d be lying if we said it could go with any outfit for any occasion, but if you’re not afraid of bold wristwear it’s a really fun accessory. The leather strap with contrast stitching is sturdy and can fit even the smallest of wrists. If you’re wondering how to change the time or battery, it’s easier than you’d imagine; simply twist the face to access the hidden mechanism. Below, you can find a series of photos of the Alchemist watch in action!
If you’d like to support this awesome initiative by getting your hands on an Alchemist watch, you can buy them in a variety of colours and matte or polished finishes here on Tribe At Work’s website. We will also be giving away the watch featured in our images to one reader soon…
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