There’s a lot to be said about the Holthinrichs Signature Ornament Lab Series 1.24, but when I see the lush copper dial decorated with 24k gold leaves, I want to sing the famous Nat King Cole Jazz Standard “Autumn Leaves.” The melancholy song begins with the phrase “The falling leaves float by the window” and ends with “When the falling leaves begin to fall.” Next, look at a 3D printed clock with green patina and gold flakes on the dial and tell us you are not humming the song.
For those new to the Dutch brand Holtinrich, here’s a bit of insight. Michiel Holtinrich, the architect watch maker, created the name of himself and his brand in 2016 by introducing the world’s first watch in a 3D printed stainless steel case. All this innovation and originality is at the expense of it. Michelle now uses CNC machining to create more affordable watches so that more people can enjoy the fascinating shape of his watch. The gateway to the brand is a signature ornament, a steel entry level watch made from the brand’s CNC machine. Signature Ornament Lab Series 1.24 We feature a 3D printed grade 5 titanium case with skeletonized lug.
I am practicing the Holthinrichs Signature Ornament Lab series 1.24
The Lab series shows the experimental aspects of the brand. The first surveillance of this kind was a limited edition of just 30 now-sold works. The 3D printed Signature Ornament Lab case has accurate dimensions as a CNC-machined signature decoration model, but is found in industrial grade 5 titanium rather than steel. Manual finishing creates a complete contrast between the refined area and the raw parts that arise from the printing process.
The case has a 9.85mm profile with crystals with diameter 38.5mm, lug-to-lag 46mm, and thickness 2.05mm. It’s fair to say that the proportions are traditional, but the appearance is completely modern. Due to the swooping lines and openwork rugs, the lightweight case has a lot of presence, with a front and raw back in its hand.
Michiel Holthinrichs is the nuts of cars, and the flowing silhouette is a direct link to his love for classic cars with flowing lines. The Lab Series has specific skeletonized lugs. They are dare to be thin for Holtin Rich to print them, it appears they are attached to thin air instead of the case. The unfinished curved case is worn very well and comfortable, and its finish shows a connection to the brutal architecture.
Yes, it’s printing, but not as you know
Every time I think about the printer, I think of trouble – paper jams, empty cartridges right after replacing them, impossible connections, etc. This is much higher tech, as it involves selective laser melting and accurate milling. Interestingly, the print execution is limited to 45 cases per build plate, and it takes up to 48 hours to print these 45 cases. After printing and milling, the signature decoration case receives a wide range of hand finishes to make it look like the photographer Max’s photograph. The raw 3D printed texture of the caseback stands out, especially thanks to the details of some contrasting hand devices.
Finally, we can talk about that amazing dial
Originality is unstoppable in rare cases. Continued with a fascinating dial in the Signature Ornament Lab series 1.24. Like the case, the details are abundant, and the contrast between the texture and finish is a shared theme. The result was a raw, expressive luxury in the form of a dial that sets you on the brand’s hometown of Delft. Brass slices undergo engraving and provide optimal effects when passing through a multi-stage forced patina process. To create vibrant colors, the brand uses electrolysis and heat treatment to form a solid oxide layer. The process may be forced, but the result is an attractive, deeper, and even a natural shade of green. However, the dialing has not finished yet.
79 Patey Ind Dials – For more information on that number later, we’ll travel to Scotland, where dial artist Chris Alexander works. He applies the gold leaves by hand using a special adhesive process. Just like all dials leaving Delft, each gold layer applies in Scotland. In other words, the Signature Ornament Lab Series 1.24 dial is two unique times.
Once gold is applied, the dial will return to Delft, where the final assembly is waiting. The completed Signature Ornament Lab Series 1.24 shows an open work hand that is angled and an inner flange with floating hour markers.
Inner concessions
The Signature Ornament Lab series 1.24 is an ornamental watch that is more technical than technical. What I mean is that the brand chose a relatively simple move in the form of a robust and reliable Sellita SW300 over more refined auto holology equipment. Nevertheless, the see-through caseback reveals the rotor of the dial’s design spirit. Like the dial, the tungsten vibration weight is an in-house component. It is a solid layer of purple blue-green, the result of its own heat and acid treatment.
Holthinrichs Signature Ornament Lab Series 1.24 for Wrist
When I put the Signature Ornament Lab Series 1.24 with a cognac colored 20mm rooster leg leather strap on my wrist, I feel this isn’t a regular watch. Straps, for example, are already an interesting and original choice. There was a soft spot on the ostrich leg leather strap from last year’s Jaeger-Lecoultre, but now I switched to the Rooster Leather because of its unique construction. It’s organic, wild yet stylish and looks different without trying too hard. Close with an in-house 3D printed titanium buckle that matches the style and functionality of the case.
Because of its size and weight, the watch is easy to wear, but it should prefer a visual presence. If you want an almost historic display of fall colors, the Holthinrichs Signature Ornament Lab Series 1.24 may be too much for you. It’s not that there are too many of them. The watch is a limited edition of 79 pieces, and the number corresponds to the gold atomic number in the periodic table.
The cost of Signature Ornament Lab Series 1.24 excludes 5,900 euros, and initial delivery must reach clients by the end of 2025 with a clear taste of what’s adventurous, innovative and handmade exotic watches.
